Course content

This course provides a fundamental introduction to key topics in organic chemistry and serves as an essential foundation for further studies in organic chemistry as well as other chemical, biological, and materials technology disciplines. Core topics, such as structure, nomenclature, stereochemistry, and physical properties, will be covered for classes of compounds including alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, organometallic, and aromatic compounds. Basic reactions for these classes will be highlighted and explained through reaction mechanisms, including substitution, elimination, and addition reactions, radical reactions, ring-opening, reductions, the Wittig reaction, esterification, aldol condensations, and hydrolysis.

Responsible chemical practice is introduced through the principles of "Green Chemistry," which are used to improve chemical processes with regard to sustainability. Key elements include the use of renewable raw materials, minimizing waste, and avoiding the use of hazardous methods and reagents.

The laboratory work provides practical demonstrations of core topics and develops general laboratory skills. Through the theoretical exercises, students will also build collaboration skills through accountability, delegation, and peer mentoring. Digital tools, such as ChemDraw, Chem3D, and SMILES, are introduced for visual representation, property simulation, and sharing of complex molecular structures.

Learning outcome

After completing the course, the candidate will have acquired the following knowledge, skills, and general competencies.

Knowledge:

• The candidate understands correct nomenclature and stereochemistry and can describe and interpret structures of various organic compounds.
• The student has knowledge of optical activity and can relate this to differences between enantiomers, diastereomers, and meso compounds.
• The candidate possesses fundamental knowledge of reaction principles in organic chemistry and can explain how functional groups affect electron density, properties, and reactivity in organic compounds.
• The candidate is familiar with how enabling digital technologies (e.g., AI tools for synthesis planning or other simulation tools) can be applied in organic chemistry.

Skills:

• The candidate can communicate chemical structures and stereochemistry using correct nomenclature and can draw molecular structures (including using digital tools).
• The candidate can deduce and explain mechanistic aspects of chemical reactions and predict competing reactions.
• The candidate can recognize, name, and classify key reaction types in organic chemistry.
• The candidate can estimate pKa values for important classes of compounds, such as carboxylic acids, amines, alcohols, and ketones, and understand how pKa is influenced by various functional groups.
• The candidate can plan and conduct simple organic chemistry experiments, link experimental results to theoretical principles, and document and communicate the findings from the experiments.

General Competence:

• The candidate has the ability to work safely with basic laboratory experiments and follow current health, safety, and environmental (HSE) procedures.
• The candidate can reflect on and explain the importance of sustainable solutions in organic synthetic chemistry, connecting this to the choice of efficient, environmentally friendly, and safe alternatives in chemical processes.

Learning methods and activities

The course consists of lectures, theoretical exercises, laboratory work, and self-study. The estimated time commitment over a semester is 60 hours for lectures, 60 hours for exercises, 30 hours for laboratory work including preparatory and follow-up work, and 60 hours for self-study (totaling 210 hours).

Compulsory assignments

• Theoretical exercises
• Laboratory exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

It is recommended that students have knowledge of general chemistry equivalent to KJ1003, KJ1004, TMT4111, or TMT4110.

Course materials

Solomons, Fryhle, Snyder "Organic Chemistry", 13th or 12th edition. Also available as an e-book with access to the supplemental digital learning resource WileyPLUS.

Credit reductions