Entry requirements

Participation in General Chemistry or Chemical Principles I or Basic Chemistry, 10 credits or The Basic Principles of Chemistry, 15 credits.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Describe the three‑dimensional structures of organic compounds using structural formulas and projections, and interpret such representations; apply stereochemical concepts and the rules for systematic nomenclature of organic compounds.

• Identify and name functional groups, and relate the molecular structure of organic compounds to their chemical and physical properties.

• Identify fundamental reactions and illustrate their course (reaction mechanisms).

• Explain the type of information provided by common analytical methods in organic chemistry regarding the structure and properties of organic compounds.

• Give examples of industrial production and applications of organic chemistry and organic compounds, and make basic assessments of processes and compounds from a sustainability perspective.

• Plan laboratory work based on experimental instructions, including performing risk and safety assessments.

• Carry out basic laboratory work correctly and safely.

• Document laboratory work in a laboratory journal and discuss the content and results of the laboratory work both orally and in writing.

• Give examples of how course components relate to activities in society and industry relevant to the education programme, and describe the significance of the course content for humans, the environment, and society.

• Reflect on one’s own study results in relation to established study techniques.

Content

Chemical structure and representation

Chemical bonding and hybridization, functional groups, molecular conformations, stereochemistry, systematic nomenclature, and representation of molecules in 2D and 3D.

Analysis

Fundamental organic spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS), as well as purity criteria in synthesis.

Molecular properties and reactivity of functional groups

Boiling point/melting point/solubility as functions of chemical structure and purity; acids and bases; relationships between structure and acid strength; conjugated systems; aromaticity; electrophilicity and nucleophilicity.

Structure and formation of synthetic and biological macromolecules.

Reactivity and reactions of the most common classes of organic compounds. Reaction mechanisms for addition, substitution, elimination, and radical reactions.

Organic chemistry in society and nature

Examples of organic chemistry in various application areas; sustainability aspects of processes and compounds, including environmental and economic considerations in organic synthesis.

Laboratory work

Organic reactions and practical methods illustrating both theoretical concepts and techniques for synthesis, purification, and characterization of organic compounds.

Training in interpreting and using written laboratory instructions.

Chemistry profile

Laboratory safety, study techniques, tools for data processing, and connections between course content and its relevance to society and professional practice.

Instruction

The teaching is given as lectures, lessons laboratory sessions and invited lectures/seminars. Laboratory sessions and related overviews and presentations, as well as invited lectures/seminars are compulsory. Communication training is integrated with other course parts.

Assessment

Written examination at the end of the course (5 credits). Laboratory work and other compulsory components of the course with associated seminars and written presentations (5 credits). The final grade of the course is based on the different components of the course.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.

Other regulations

The course cannot be included in a degree together with the course 1KB472 Introductory Organic Chemistry.