ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Dr. O'Malley, 2025-2026
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Objectives
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. It is highly recommended that students have at least a 94 in their first semester of sophomore chemistry. Did you struggle in introductory chemistry? Fear not: Organic is very different, and may be just the thing for you.
Grade breakdown
Grade breakdown
Assessments / Tests (20%)
Assessments / Tests (20%)
We will have a test every few weeks.
Each will be a mixture of multiple-choice and free-response questions.
There will be a cumulative make-up test at the end of each semester.
If you show up for all the tests, including the make-up, the lowest grade in this category will be dropped.
Classwork / Homework (30%)
Classwork / Homework (30%)
Come to class and participate.
Most days we will work on lessons and or problem sets in class.
Dr. O'Malley will periodically check your notebook to ensure you are keeping up with the work.
Absent? Each lesson has a companion video below.
We will periodically have quizzes in class. These are open-notes and often done in pairs.
Materials
Materials
Your favorite pens & pencils
Worksheets (given in class and linked below)
Prefer taking notes digitally on a tablet? No problem.
This will be a DEVICE-FREE classroom this year.
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)
Khan academy review of general chemistry
ChemDEX reaction index courtesy of ThermoFisher Sci
Office Hours
Office Hours
Room 809
Most days: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 10th periods
E-mail: somalley@schools.nyc.gov
Be academically honest
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?
15.2 video
15.3 video
15.4 video
15.5 video
15.6 video
15.7 video
Other links:
Other links:
- One of my favorite pharmaceutical ads:
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 chargeVocabulary you should know for this course:
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