Organic Chemistry
This page covers the topics and content covered in a first-semester undergraduate Organic Chemistry course (commonly referred to as Orgo or O-Chem). The material on this page is built on the principle that true mastery of O-Chem comes from active problem-solving rather than passive reading. Instead of dense text, these pages focus on building intuition for organic mechanisms and reactivity by guiding you through the standard problem types you'll face.
Related Workshops, Webinars, & Mini-Courses
Meet Our Organic Chemistry Team
We are in the lab at work getting resources to the popular topics of Organic Chemistry 1 for you. See what we’re doing below.
Course Topics
Organic Chemistry 1 (First Semester)
Structure, Bonding, and Resonance
Atomic orbitals and hybridization (sp, sp², sp³); Lewis structures, formal charges, and resonance; Molecular geometry and bond polarity
Alkanes and Cycloalkanes
Nomenclature (IUPAC rules); Physical properties and conformational analysis (Newman projections, chair conformations of cyclohexane); Ring strain, steric strain, and torsional strain
Stereochemistry
Chirality centers (R/S configuration); Enantiomers, diastereomers, and meso compounds; Optical activity and polarimetry
Alkyl Halides and Introduction to Reaction Mechanisms
Nomenclature and properties of alkyl halides; Nucleophilic substitution (SN1 and SN2); Elimination reactions (E1 and E2); Reaction mechanisms, rate laws, and transition states
Alkenes and Alkynes
Nomenclature (including cis/trans and E/Z); Electrophilic addition reactions of alkenes (e.g., hydrohalogenation, halogenation, hydration, hydroboration–oxidation); Concepts of regioselectivity (Markovnikov vs. anti-Markovnikov) and stereoselectivity; Introduction to alkyne reactions (hydration, hydrogenation, halogenation)
Acids and Bases in Organic Chemistry
Brønsted–Lowry and Lewis definitions; pKa values and their significance in organic mechanisms; How acid/base strength affects reactivity and reaction equilibria
Alcohols (Introductory Treatment)
Nomenclature and basic properties; Acid-base behavior of alcohols; Simple reactions (e.g., substitution to form alkyl halides)
Spectroscopic Methods (Introductory Overview)
Infrared (IR) spectroscopy basics (functional group identification); Mass spectrometry (MS) basics (molecular ion, fragmentation patterns); Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H NMR) fundamentals (chemical shift, integration, splitting)
Mechanistic Themes & Reaction Pathways
Arrow-pushing notation and mechanism steps (nucleophilic attack, proton transfers, leaving groups); Kinetic vs. thermodynamic considerations (where relevant)
Organic Chemistry 2 (Second Semester)
Conjugation and Dienes
Conjugated systems, resonance, and stability; Electrophilic addition to conjugated dienes; The Diels–Alder reaction (cycloaddition mechanism)
Aromatic Compounds and Reactivity
Structure and stability of benzene (aromaticity criteria); Electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) mechanisms; Substituent effects (activating/deactivating groups, ortho/para/meta directors); Nucleophilic aromatic substitution (if time allows)
Carbonyl Chemistry: Aldehydes and Ketones
Nomenclature, structure, and properties; Nucleophilic addition mechanisms (e.g., formation of hydrates, hemiacetals, acetals); Oxidation and reduction (e.g., Tollens test, PCC, NaBH₄, LiAlH₄); Imine and enamine formation
Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives
Nomenclature and properties of acids, esters, amides, acid chlorides, anhydrides; Nucleophilic acyl substitution reactions; Saponification, transesterification, and hydrolysis of amides; Interconversion of acid derivatives
Enolates and Enolate Reactions
Keto–enol tautomerism; Aldol condensation, crossed aldol reactions; Claisen condensation, Dieckmann condensation; Michael addition and Robinson annulation
Amines and Nitrogen-Containing Compounds
Nomenclature and basic properties of amines; Basicity, alkylation, and formation of amides; Reductive amination and other amine synthesis methods
Advanced Spectroscopy
More detailed ¹H NMR (complex splitting patterns, coupling constants); ¹³C NMR basics (chemical shifts, DEPT); Advanced techniques (possibly 2D NMR, if time allows); Expanded use of IR, UV-Vis, and Mass Spectrometry in structure elucidation
Carbohydrates, Amino Acids, and Other Biomolecules (Introduction)
Basic structures of monosaccharides and disaccharides (if covered); Fischer and Haworth projections; Amino acid structure and properties; peptide bonds; Overview of lipids and nucleic acids (varies by course)
Synthesis Strategies
Multi-step synthesis combining reactions from both semesters; Retrosynthetic analysis (disconnection approach); Protecting groups and strategic reaction pathways
We don't help with Orgo 2 by throwing forty new reactions at students and expecting them to keep it all straight. We group reactions into families that behave the same way, so a Grignard addition and a hydride reduction start looking like variations on one idea instead of forty separate ones. If you've ever had to memorize a synthesis route but froze when asked to work backward from the final product, we can help.