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CHE 251: Organic Chemistry I

3 credits

This is the first half of a one-year course that explores the chemistry of carbon compounds. Class discussions include nomenclature, methods of preparation, and properties of the principal groups of compounds. Functional group chemistry, synthetic transformations, as well as the mechanisms of organic reactions are covered. There are three class periods a week.

Learning Goals

• Determine the bond angle, hybridization, and shape for any atom in an organic molecule• Draw a Lewis structure for an organic molecule• Recognize and label polar bonds• Follow a mechanism by drawing mechanism arrows for a polar reaction• Draw resonance contributors for organic molecules• Name an organic molecule given its structure and draw a structure from its name• Label all the functional groups in an organic molecule• Draw constitutional isomers, stereoisomers, and conformers of organic molecules• Draw cyclohexane and its derivatives in the chair conformation• Explain the mechanism and draw the products for an addition reaction by way of a carbocation or a cyclic intermediate• Give the reagents or products from an oxidation and a reduction• Understand the chemistry of an alkane, an alkene, and an alkyne• Identify a chiral compound and determine whether a solution is optically active

Sections Offered: Fall 2026