Overview
Chemistry 306: Organic Chemistry Theory II deals with the chemistry of carbon compounds through a study of the characteristic reactions of the common functional groups. The chemistry of alcohols, ethers, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, carbohydrates, and amines are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the study of reaction mechanisms in an attempt to show similarities between apparently unrelated reactions. The importance of stereochemistry is stressed throughout the course.
There is no laboratory component in this course.
Outline
CHEM 306 is comprised of the following 12 units:
- Unit 17 – Alcohols and Phenols
- Unit 18 – Ethers and Epoxides; Thiols and Sulfides
- Unit 19 – Aldehydes and Ketones: Nucleophilic Addition Reactions
- Unit 20 – Carboxylic Acids and Nitriles
- Unit 21 – Carboxylic Acid Derivatives and Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution Reactions
- Unit 22 – Carbonyl Alpha-Substitution Reactions
- Unit 23 – Carbonyl Condensation Reactions
- Unit 24 – Amines and Heterocycles
- Unit 25 – Biomolecules: Carbohydrates
- Unit 26 – Biomolecules: Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins
- Unit 27 – Biomolecules: Lipids
- Unit 28 – Biomolecules: Nucleic Acids
Note: You are required to complete only one of the last three units (Units 26–28) for this course.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to
- apply the principles of carbonyl chemistry (including the role of carbanions and enolate ions) in a variety of syntheses.
- use critical thinking, logical deduction, and data interpretation to elucidate organic structures or propose synthetic strategies.
- name and draw skeletal structures of alcohols, phenols, ethers, epoxides, thiols, sulfides, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, nitriles, carboxylic acid derivatives, amines, heterocycles, and carbohydrates.
- design syntheses of organic molecules involving the above compounds.
- draw key reaction mechanisms involving the same compounds, and use your knowledge of reaction mechanisms to predict the outcome of reactions.
- define the basic chemical and structural features of biomolecules, in particular carbohydrates, and either lipids, proteins, or nucleic acids.
Evaluation
To receive credit for CHEM 306, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent) and a grade of at least 45 percent on each of the examinations, as well as an average grade of at least 60 percent on the assignments.
The weighting of these grades is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1 | 10% |
| Midterm examination | 30% |
| Assignment 2 | 10% |
| Final examination | 50% |
| Total | 100% |
The midterm and final examinations for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
This course either does not have a course package or the textbooks are open-source material and available to students at no cost. This course has a Course Administration and Technology Fee, but students are not charged the Course Materials Fee.
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Kennepohl, D. (n.d.). Athabasca University Chemistry 360: Organic Chemistry II. Open Education Resource (OER) LibreTexts Project. https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Athabasca_University/Chemistry_360%3A_Organic_Chemistry_II
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the CHEM 306 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the challenge exam. There are two parts to the exam, which must be written on the same day or on two consecutive days.
| Activity | Weight |
| Challenge exam: Part I | 40% |
| Challenge exam: Part II | 60% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form