FREE LEARN ANY LESSON WITH VIDEO: Organic chemistry

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General chemistry review

A review of hybrid orbitals, dot structures, electronegativity, and polarity

Hybridization

It's the liger of orbitals and essential to organic chemistry! In this tutorial, Sal discusses the hybridization of orbitals.

Dot structures

In this tutorial, Jay reminds you how to draw the dot structures of simple organic molecules.

Hybrid orbitals

In this tutorial, Jay goes over sp3, sp2, and sp hybridization.

What is the most important concept to understand in undergraduate organic chemistry? Of course, it's electronegativity! In this tutorial, Jay explains the concept of electronegativity and shows how it applies to polarity, intermolecular forces, and physical properties.

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Organic structures and acid/base

bond-line structures, functional groups, formal charges, resonance structures, oxidation and reduction, acid/base chemistry

Bond-line structures

In this tutorial, Jay explains how bond-line structures are used as a form of organic shorthand so that organic chemists can be lazy and not label carbon and hydrogen atoms. Bond-line structures are then used to draw a few constitutional isomers.

Functional groups

In this tutorial, Jay puts the "fun" back into recognizing functional groups.

Formal charge and resonance

Positive and negative charges are everywhere in orgo! In this tutorial, Jay shows you how to assign formal charges to molecules and how to draw resonance structures.

Oxidation and reduction

LEO the Lion goes GERRRR!!!! If that is all that you remember about redox from general chemistry, then this tutorial is for you! Jay shows you how to assign oxidation states in organic molecules.

Acid/base

Do you remember the basics of acid/base chemistry? In this tutorial, Jay reminds you of a few definitions, shows you how the stability of the conjugate base affects the acidity of the molecule, and demonstrates the importance of pKa values.

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Alkanes and cycloalkanes

naming alkanes and cycloalkanes, conformations of alkanes and cycloalkanes, and free radical reactions

Naming alkanes

In this tutorial, Sal shows how to name alkanes.

Conformations

In this tutorial, Sal draws Newman projections and also explains chair and boat conformations for cyclohexane.

Naming alkanes, cycloalkanes, and bicyclic compounds

Do you speak the language of organic chemistry? In this tutorial, Jay shows you how to be fluent in naming alkanes, cycloalkanes, and bicyclic compounds.

Conformations of alkanes and cycloalkanes

In this tutorial, Jay shows the different conformations of straight chain alkanes and cyclohexane.

Free radical reaction

In this tutorial, Sal introduces free radical reactions by showing the reaction of methane with chlorine.

Free Radical Reactions

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Stereochemistry

chirality, stereoisomers, assigning absolute configuration using the R,S system, optical activity, diastereomers, meso compounds, fischer projections

Chirality and the R,S system

Are you right handed or sinister-handed? Have you ever thought that you might not be as attractive as you look in the mirror? Welcome to the world of chirality. In this tutorial, Sal explores molecules that have the same composition and bonding, but are fundamentally different because they are mirror images of each other (kind of like Tomax and Xamot--the Crimson Guard Commanders from GI Joe).

Chirality and absolute configuration

Mirror, mirror on the wall . . . who is the fairest stereoisomer of all? In this tutorial, Jay explains chirality and how to determine the absolute configuration at a chirality center.

Optical activity

In this tutorial, Jay explains the concept of optical activity and demonstrates how to calculate specific rotation and enantiomeric excess.

Diastereomers and meso compounds

In this tutorial, Sal and Jay define stereoisomers, diastereomers, and meso compounds.

Fischer projections

In this tutorial, Jay shows how to draw a fischer projection and how to assign an absolute configuration to a chirality center in a fischer projection.

fischer projections

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Substitution and elimination reactions

SN1, SN2, E1, E2, nucleophiles, nucleophilicity, basicity

SN1 vs SN2

In this tutorial, Sal analyzes the differences between SN1 and SN2 reactions.

Nucleophilicity and basicity

In this tutorial, Sal discusses the difference between nucleophilicity and basicity.

Elimination reactions

In this tutorial, Sal explains the difference between an E1 and an E2 elimination reaction.

SN1/SN2/E1/E2

In this tutorial, Sal compares the differences between E2, E1, SN2, and SN1 reactions.

SN1 and SN2

In this tutorial, Jay covers the definitions of nucleophile/electrophile, The Schwartz Rules (may the Schwartz be with you!), and the differences between SN1 and SN2 reactions.

E1 and E2 reactions

In this tutorial, Jay covers the E1 elimination mechanism, carbocation rearrangements, and the details of the E2 elimination reaction.

SN1/SN2/E1/E2

In this tutorial, Jay discusses the strength of a nucleophile and the differences between SN1, SN2, E1, and E2 reactions.

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Alkenes and alkynes

naming alkenes and alkynes, reactions of alkenes and alkynes, synthesis

Naming alkenes

In this tutorial, Sal names alkenes and discusses the E-Z system.

Alkene reactions

In this tutorial, Sal introduces reaction mechanisms and demonstrates a few reactions of alkenes.

Alkene nomenclature

In this tutorial, Jay names alkenes, discusses the stability of alkenes, and introduces the E/Z system.

Alkene reactions

In this tutorial, Jay explains the addition reactions of alkenes.

Naming and preparing alkynes

In this tutorial, Jay covers the nomenclature and preparation of alkynes, the acidity of terminal alkynes, and the alkylation of alkynes.

Alkyne reactions

In this tutorial, Jay shows the reactions of alkynes.

Synthesis using alkynes

In this tutorial, Jay demonstrates how to use Dr. Schwartz's organic flowsheet to solve synthesis problems involving alkynes. Always remember, pain is temporary, orgo is forever!

synthesis using alkynes

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Alcohols, ethers, epoxides, sulfides

alcohols, ethers, epoxides, thiols, sulfides

Alcohol nomenclature and properties

It can clean a wound or kill your liver. Some religions ban it, others use it in their sacred rites. Some of the most stupid acts humanity every committed were done under its influence. It is even responsible for some of our births. In this tutorial, Sal and Jay name alcohols and discuss their properties.

Synthesis of alcohols

In this tutorial, Jay shows how to synthesize alcohols using sodium borohydride, lithium aluminum hydride, and grignard reagents.

Reactions of alcohols

In this tutorial, Jay assigns oxidation states to alcohols, shows an oxidation mechanism using the Jones reagent, shows the formation of nitrate esters from alcohols, and demonstrates how to make alkyl halides from alcohols. Biochemical redox reactions are also discussed.

Nomenclature and properties of ethers

In this tutorial, Sal and Jay name ethers and discuss the physical properties of ethers.

Synthesis and cleavage of ethers

In this tutorial, Jay shows how to synthesize ethers using the Williamson ether synthesis and how to cleave an ether linkage using acid.

Nomenclature and preparation of epoxides

In this tutorial, Sal and Jay name epoxides. Jay also shows the preparation of epoxides and includes the stereochemistry of the reaction.

Ring-opening reactions of epoxides

In this tutorial, Sal and Jay show the SN1 and SN2 ring opening reactions of epoxides.

Thiols and sulfides

In this tutorial, Jay shows how to prepare sulfides from thiols.

preparation of sulfides

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Conjugation, Diels-Alder, and MO theory

conjugation, conjugated dienes, addition reactions of conjugated dienes, diels-alder reaction, MO theory, color

Addition reactions of conjugated dienes

In this tutorial, Jay shows the possible products for an addition to a conjugated diene and how the end product can be controlled by changing the reaction conditions.

Diels-alder reaction

In this tutorial, Jay shows the mechanism, stereochemistry, and regiochemistry for the classic Diels-Alder reaction.

Molecular orbital theory

In this tutorial, Jay introduces molecular orbital (MO) theory and shows how MO theory explains the experimental observations of the Diels-Alder reaction.

Color in organic molecules

In this tutorial, Jay explains basic color theory and shows how conjugation determines the color of organic molecules. Basic knowledge of MO theory is assumed.