3.00 Credits
A two-semester sequence of courses which study the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation (by synthesis or other means) of chemical compounds consisting primarily of carbon. Because of the unique properties of the element carbon, organic compounds exhibit an extremely wide variety, and the range of applications of organic compounds is enormous. They form the basis of, or are important constituents of, many products (paints, plastics, food additives, cosmetics, explosives, drugs, petrochemicals, pesticides, and many others) and, in addition, organic compounds form the basis of all life processes (biomolecules such as enzymes, proteins, amino acids). Specific attention is focused on the structure-reactivity relationships in different classes of organic molecules, and the mechanistic aspects of reactions. Methods of spectroscopic analysis fundamental to the study of organic molecules are also examined. Three hours of lecture and one hour recitation weekly