ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Dr. O'Malley, 2023-2024

Objectives

Welcome to Orgo! This class simulates a college level organic chemistry course. We will learn about molecular structure, conformational analysis, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms, and how chemists use synthesis to make useful substances, such as Gilead, Inc's synthesis of the anti-viral drug Remdesivir. Organic chemistry is challenging and rewarding.

Grade breakdown

Homework & preparation (20%)

Watch video lessons & upload notes on Jupiter.
Complete and on time = 10/10. Late = 5/10.
The lowest grade in this category will be dropped.

Classwork & participation (20%)

Come to class. Participate.
Take online check-ins (open notes, in groups) during class.
Absent? Do the check-in once you feel better. No penalty.
The lowest grade in this category will be dropped.

Assessments (60%)

Tests (aka celebrations!) are given every few weeks in class.
Absent? There will be a cumulative make-up at the end of the term.
Absent again? Talk to Dr. O.
If all tests are taken, including the make-up, the lowest grade in this category will be dropped.

Materials

Your favorite pens & pencils
Worksheets (given in class and linked below)
Prefer taking notes digitally on a tablet? No problem.
Laptops & headphones are NOT permitted, except for special circumstances.
Model kit recommended (we have sets in class)
Model kit simulator, molecular viewer, and app
Web based ChemDraw (discontinued, but found through wayback)
Online textbook (courtesy of OpenStax)
Textbook (password = orgo)
Khan academy review of general chemistry

Office Hours

Room 809
Most days: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 10th periods
E-mail: somalley@stuy.edu

Be academically honest

Provide adequate citations for sources.
Do not copy or submit someone else's work.
Do not use notes or other materials during a test without permission.
Do not share questions or answers with students who have yet to take a test.
Speak up when you see academic dishonesty in others.
Open Stax published an interactive slider to customize what academic integrity looks like. Which icons do YOU think should go where?

OpenStax Defining Academic Integrity Interactive Slider

Here is the whole workbook for the year.

Vocabulary you should know for this course:

Proton – a positively charged subatomic particle (abbreviated H+)Hydride – the anion of hydrogen (abbreviated H-)Electron – a negatively charged subatomic particleIon – a charged atom or group of atomsAnion – a negatively charged ionCation – a positively charged ionElectronegativity – the tendency of an element to attract electrons in a bond Ionization energy – the energy absorbed when a neutral atom loses an electronElectron affinity – the energy released when a neutral atom gains an electronElectron configuration – the arrangement of electrons in an atom (e.g. F = 1s22s22p5)Atomic orbital – a region in which there is a high probability of finding an electron (s, p, d, f)Polar covalent bond – a bond formed by unequal sharing of electrons between atomsPolar molecule – a molecule with an asymmetric distribution of charge