Skip to main content
nounstudy
CHM203

Organic Chemistry Ii

  • Sciences
  • 200 level
  • 2 credit units
  • 232 pages
  • 15 units

This course delves into the physical and chemical properties of key organic compounds, building a strong foundation in organic chemistry. It explores electronic concepts, stereochemistry, and the relationship between molecular structure and reactivity. Students will learn about aromatic hydrocarbons, functional groups, and various organic reactions, including substitution, elimination, and addition. The course aims to equip learners with a solid understanding of organic compounds of industrial importance.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
208 hours
Maths
Basic
Content
Theoretical, problem solving
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor Marked Assessments
  • Final Examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

CHM203 · UNIT 2: FACTORS AFFECTING AVAILABILITY OF ELECTRONS

Such a distribution of charge leads to mutual attraction between the molecules. These induced dipole – induced dipole interaction are also known as London forces (illustrated with … in Figure 1.2).

What you should be able to do

  1. Explain the relationship between molecular structure and physical properties
  2. Predict the reactivity of organic compounds based on electronic effects
  3. Differentiate between chiral and achiral molecules
  4. Draw and name structural and stereoisomers
  5. Describe the mechanisms of key organic reactions

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Chemist
  • Pharmacist
  • Material Scientist
  • Chemical Engineer
  • Lab Technician
Where it is applied
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Petrochemicals
  • Materials Science
  • Agriculture
  • Cosmetics

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: Electronic Concept and Stereochemistry

    Unit 3: Stereochemistry

    Advanced understanding of stereoisomers, enantiomers, and diastereomers requires strong visualization skills and spatial reasoning.

  • Module 2: Functional Groups and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry

    Unit 4: Nucleophilic Substitution and Elimination Reactions

    Understanding the subtle interplay between steric hindrance, electronic effects, and leaving group ability requires careful analysis.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 48 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Electronic Concept and Stereochemistry
    • Unit 1: Factors Affecting Structure and Physical Properties of Organic Compounds · 4 hours

      Review intermolecular forces and their impact on melting and boiling points.. Solve problems related to predicting solubility based on molecular polarity..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Electronic Concept and Stereochemistry
    • Unit 2: Factors Affecting Availability of Electrons · 4 hours

      Study inductive, resonance, and hyperconjugation effects.. Identify electron-rich and electron-deficient sites in organic molecules..

  3. Week 3Module 1: Electronic Concept and Stereochemistry
    • Unit 3: Stereochemistry · 4 hours

      Differentiate between chiral and achiral molecules.. Practice drawing enantiomers and assigning R/S configurations..

  4. Week 4Module 2: Functional Groups and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry
    • Unit 1: Functional Group Chemistry of Main Class Organic Compounds · 4 hours

      Identify and classify different functional groups.. Study the relationship between functional groups and reactivity..

  5. Week 5Module 2: Functional Groups and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry
    • Unit 2: Alkanes, Free Radical Substitution Reactions in Alkanes and The Reactivity-Selectivity Principle · 4 hours

      Understand the mechanism of free radical substitution reactions.. Apply the reactivity-selectivity principle to predict product distribution..

  6. Week 6Module 2: Functional Groups and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry
    • Unit 3: Various Organic Reactions · 4 hours

      Study the mechanisms of substitution reactions.. Understand the factors affecting SN1 and SN2 reactions..

  7. Week 7Module 2: Functional Groups and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry
    • Unit 4: Nucleophilic Substitution and Elimination Reactions · 4 hours

      Understand the mechanisms of elimination reactions.. Apply Zaitsev's rule to predict the major product in elimination reactions..

  8. Week 8Module 3: Aromatic Compounds
    • Unit 1: Benzene and other Aromatic Compounds · 4 hours

      Understand the structure and properties of benzene and other aromatic compounds.. Apply Hückel's rule to determine aromaticity..

  9. Week 9Module 3: Aromatic Compounds
    • Unit 2: Reactions in Aromatic Compounds · 4 hours

      Study the mechanism of electrophilic aromatic substitution.. Understand the directing effects of substituents on the benzene ring..

  10. Week 10Module 1: Electronic Concept and Stereochemistry
    • Unit 1: Factors Affecting Structure and Physical Properties of Organic Compounds (Review) · 3 hours

      Review factors affecting physical properties of organic compounds.. Practice problems on melting point, boiling point, and solubility..

  11. Week 11Module 1: Electronic Concept and Stereochemistry
    • Unit 2: Factors Affecting Availability of Electrons (Review) · 3 hours

      Review inductive, resonance, and hyperconjugation effects.. Practice problems on acidity and basicity..

  12. Week 12Module 2: Functional Groups and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry
    • Unit 1: Functional Group Chemistry of Main Class Organic Compounds (Review) · 3 hours

      Review functional groups and their reactions.. Practice problems on electrophilic and nucleophilic reactions..

  13. Week 13Module 3: Aromatic Compounds
    • Unit 1: Benzene and other Aromatic Compounds (Review) · 3 hours

      Review aromatic compounds and their reactions.. Practice problems on electrophilic aromatic substitution..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create flashcards for all functional groups and their characteristic reactions.
  • Practice drawing reaction mechanisms step-by-step, focusing on electron flow.
  • Develop concept maps linking electronic effects (inductive, resonance) to reactivity.
  • Work through all in-text questions (ITQs) and self-assessment questions (SAQs) thoroughly.
  • Prioritize understanding reaction mechanisms over memorizing individual reactions.
  • Focus on understanding the stability of carbocations and their role in SN1 and E1 reactions.
  • Practice assigning R/S configurations to chiral centers and predicting stereochemical outcomes.
  • Review all key definitions and concepts from each unit weekly to reinforce learning.

Questions students ask about this course

What is CHM203 about?

This course delves into the physical and chemical properties of key organic compounds, building a strong foundation in organic chemistry. It explores electronic concepts, stereochemistry, and the relationship between molecular structure and reactivity. Students will learn about aromatic hydrocarbons, functional groups, and various organic reactions, including substitution, elimination, and addition. The course aims to equip learners with a solid understanding of organic compounds of industrial importance.

How many units does CHM203 have?

CHM203, Organic Chemistry Ii, has 15 units across 3 modules, over 232 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is CHM203?

CHM203 carries 2 credit units, at 200 level in Sciences.

Is CHM203 hard?

CHM203 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and problem solving work.

How long does CHM203 take to study?

About 208 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.

How is CHM203 assessed?

CHM203 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.

What can I do with CHM203?

Chemist, Pharmacist, Material Scientist, Chemical Engineer and Lab Technician.

More courses in Sciences

ESM211

Global Environmental Issues

2 credit units

Open ESM211
PHY204

Electrodynamics I

2 credit units

Open PHY204
CIT216

Fundamentals of Data Structures

2 credit units

Open CIT216