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"The organic chemist is more than a logician and strategist; [but an] explorer strongly influenced to speculate, to imagine and even to create. These added elements provide the touch of artistry which can be included in a cataloging of the basic principles of synthesis but they are very real and extremely important."

--E. J. Corey

ACCESS Summer Research Information

Office Hour Discussions via ZOOM:

Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:40-2:00 pm: During these times, we will have group problem solving sessions to get practice with the concepts presented in the video lectures.
Mondays 3:00-4:00 pm & Wednesdays 9:00-10:00 am: These times will be devoted to answering individual questions in a one-on-one format.
If the times above don't work for your schedule, please email me directly to set up an appointment: zelevi@cabrillo.edu

Question & Answer Discussion Board

Useful Resources

WebMO Login:

WebMO Tutorial

Supplemental Instruction (SI) hours: held by Kiana Brewer via Zoom:

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 3:30 to 5:00 pm
Fridays: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Also available by email: kianabrewer@gmail.com

Food & Housing Resources

Technology Resources

Lecture Schedule:

UNIT 0 & 1
UNIT 2
UNIT 3
UNIT 4
UNIT 5

In UNIT 0, we review the most important concepts from General Chemistry that will be used regularly in CHEM 12A. After this review, UNIT 1 will build on these fundamentals to understand bonding in organic molecules; this will form the basis for understanding the three-dimensional structure and reactivity of organic molecules studied in later units of the course. The electronic structure of molecules will be explored by comparing and contrasting Valence Bond Theory with Molecular Orbital Theory. After you've covered the fundamentals, you'll want to work on COOP 1: Molecular Structure; this will help you prepare for the challenging problems encountered on the exams.

Week & Date:	LEARNING RESOURCES:	REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS:
Aug. 25th	Class cancelled due to fire evacuations
Aug. 27th	Class cancelled due to fire evacuations
Week 1: Sept. 1st	Intro. to CHEM 12A Online: Syllabus Course Expectations & Promises How to navigate this website ? How to progress through this course? LEARN 0A1: Understanding Covalent Bonding & Molecular Shapes Lewis Dot Structures Formal Charge VSEPR Theory Office Hour Discussion: 9/1/20	OPTIONAL: Introductory Course Survey Supplemental Instruction Survey CONCEPT CHECKS: 0A1a: Lewis Dot Structures 0A1b: Formal Charge 0A1c: VSPER Theory
Week 1: Sept. 3rd	LEARN 0A2: Structure-Property Relationships Periodic Properties Electronegativity & Polarity Intermolecular Forces Physical Properties Office Hour Discussion: 9/3/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 0A2a: Bond Length 0A2b: Electronegativity & Polarity 0A2c: Intermolecular Forces 0A2d: Structure-Property Relationships QUIZ 0A: Gen. Chem. Review
Week 2: Sept. 8th	LEARN 1A1: Molecular Representations & Functional Groups Condensed Structural Formulas Bond-line Structures Dashes & Wedges IUPAC Naming Common Functional Groups Office Hour Discussion: 9/8/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 1A1a: Condensed Structural Formulas 1A1b: Implied Hydrogen Atoms 1A1c: Non-bonding Electrons 1A1d: Bond Line Structures
Week 2: Sept. 10th	LEARN 1A2: Nomenclature & Functional Groups IUPAC Naming Common Substituents & Functional Groups Office Hour Discussion: 9/10/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 1A2a: Alkane Nomenclature 1A2b: Alkene & Alkyne Nomenclature
Week 3: Sept. 15th	LEARN 1B1: Hybridization sp³, sp², & sp Orbital Diagrams Office Hour Discussion: 9/15/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 1B1a : Hybridization 1B1b: Orbitals QUIZ 1A: Molecular Representations & Functional Groups
Week 3: Sept. 17th	LEARN 1B2: Molecular Orbital Theory Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals (LCAO) Frontier Orbitals: HOMO & LUMO Colors of organic molecules Office Hour Discussion: 9/17/20 Review from Lab	CONCEPT CHECKS: 1B2a: MO Theory Basics COOP 1: Molecular Structure

TAKE HOME EXAM 1: DUE Sept. 22nd

In UNIT 2, we will learn to use Resonance Theory to understand and describe the distribution of electrons within molecules, whether localized or delocalized. After a thorough discussion of resonance, acid-base reactions will be studied as an introduction to understanding the reactivity of organic molecules. After you've covered the fundamentals, you'll want to work on COOP 2: Resonance and Acid-Base Chemistry; this will help you prepare for the challenging problems encountered on the exams..

Week & Date:	LEARNING RESOURCES:	REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS:
Week 4: Sept. 22nd	LEARN 2A1: Fundamentals of Resonance Formal Charge Curved Arrow Notation Major vs. Minor Contributors Conjugation Office Hour Discussion: 9/22/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 2A1a: Resonance
Week 4: Sept. 24th	Resonance continued... Recognizing patterns of electron delocalization Lone pairs: localized or delocalized? EDGs vs. EWGs Office Hour Discussion: 9/24/20	QUIZ 2A: Resonance
Week 5: Sept. 29th	LEARN 2B1: Introduction to Acid-Base Chemistry Bronsted-Lowry Acids & Bases Conjugates pKa & Equilibrium Lewis Acids & Bases Office Hour Discussion: 9/29/30	CONCEPT CHECKS: 2B1a: Identifying Acids & Bases 2B1b: Acid-Base Equilibrium
Week 5: Oct. 1st	Acid-base chemistry continued... Charge Atom Effects: Size & Electronegativity Effects Resonance Dipole Induction Orbital Effects Office Hour Discussion: 10/1/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 2B2a: Strength of Acids 2B2b: Basicity QUIZ 2B: Acid-Base Chemistry
Week 6: Oct. 6th	Acid-base chemistry continued... Applications to Biochemistry & Pharmaceutical Drugs Office Hour Discussion: 10/5/20 Office Hour Discussion: 10/6/20	COOP 2: Resonance and Acid-Base Chemistry
Week 6: Oct. 8th	Exam 1 Review 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Office Hour Discussion: 10/8/20 Exam Review from Lab: 10/8/20

TAKE HOME EXAM 2: DUE Oct. 13th

In UNIT 3, we will learn about how different atomic connections and spatial arrangements can lead to different molecules with unique physical and chemical properties. After you've covered the fundamentals, you'll want to work on COOP 3: Spatial Arrangments of Molecules; this will help you prepare for the challenging problems encountered on the exams..

Week & Date:	LEARNING RESOURCES:	REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS:
Week 7: Oct. 13th	LEARN 3A1: Conformational Analysis of Acyclic Molecules Torsional Strain Staggered vs. Eclipsed Anti-periplanar vs. Syn-periplanar Gauche Interactions Office Hour Discussion: 10/13/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 3A1a: Drawing Newman Projections 3A1b: Staggered, Eclipsed, Anti & Gauche Conformations 3A1c: Conformational Energies
Week 7: Oct. 15th	LEARN 3A2: Conformations of Cyclohexane Derivatives Axial vs. Equitorial Positions 1,2-Diaxial Interactions A-Values Office Hour Discussion: 10/15/20 Extra Practice with Chair Conformations	CONCEPT CHECKS: 3A2a: Drawing Cyclohexane Chair Conformations 3A2b: Energies of Cyclohexane Chair Conformations QUIZ 3A: Conformational Analysis
Week 8: Oct. 20th	LEARN 3B1: Introduction to Isomerism Constitutional Isomers Index of Hydrogen Deficiency Office Hour Discussion: 10/20/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 3B1a: Constitutional Isomers 3B1b: Index of Hydrogen Deficiency
Week 8: Oct. 22nd	LEARN 3B2: Stereochemistry Fundamentals Constitutional Isomers vs. Stereoisomers cis-trans Isomers Chirality Enantiomers vs. Diastereomers Office Hour Discussion: 10/22/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 3B2a: Enantiomers, Diastereomers, & Meso Compounds
Week 9: Oct. 27th	LEARN 3B3: A deeper understanding of Stereochemistry Symmetry & Meso Compounds Optical Activity Cahn-Ingold-Prelog System for designating Configuration Fischer Projections Office Hour Discussion: 10/27?20: Part 1 / Part 2	CONCEPT CHECKS: 3B3a: (R,S) Configurations 3B3b: Fischer Projections QUIZ 3B: Stereochemistry
Week 9: Oct. 29th	Exam 3 Review Office Hour Discussion: 10/29/20	COOP 3: Spatial Arrangements of Molecules

TAKE HOME EXAM 3: DUE Nov. 4th

In UNIT 4, we will study substitution and elimination reactions. By the end of this unit, will be able to predict the products of a diverse set of organic reactions and describe these transformations using formalized reaction mechanisms. After you've covered the fundamentals, you'll want to work on COOP 4: Substitutions & Eliminations; this will help you prepare for the challenging problems encountered on the exams..

Week & Date:	LEARNING RESOURCES:	REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS:
Week 10: Nov. 3rd	LEARN 4A1: Intro. to Substitution Reactions Kinetic Data & Mechanisms Nucleophiles vs. Electrophiles Stereospecificity Substrate Reactivity: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Allylic & Benzylic Substrates Office Hour Discussion: 11/03/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 4A1a: Intro to Substitution Reactions 4A1b: Substrate Reactivity
Week 10: Nov. 5th	LEARN 4A2: SN1 vs. SN2 Reactions: Nucleophilicity Basicity Steric Hindrance Electronegativity & Polarizability Solvent Effects Leaving Group Ability: Mesylates, Tosylates & Triflates Acid Catalysts Rearrangements & Ring Expansions Office Hour Discussion: 11/05/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 4A2a: Nucleophiles, Leaving Groups & Solvent Effects 4A2b: Carbocation Stability & Rearrangements QUIZ 4A: Substitution Reactions
Week 11: Nov. 10th	LEARN 4A3: Applications of Substitution Reactions Intramolecular Reactions Ring Opening of Epoxides Cationic Ring Opening Polymerization (CROP) Office Hour Discussion: 11/10/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 4A3a: Which mechanism is operative, SN1 or SN2? 4A3b: Predicting Products of Substitution Reactions
Week 11: Nov. 12th	LEARN 4B1: Intro. to Elimination Reactions Temperature & Entropy Substrate reactivity Nucleophilicity vs. Basicity Office Hour Discussion: 11/12/20 Office Hour Discussion: 11/13/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 4B1a: Introduction to Elimination Reactions
Week 12: Nov. 17th	LEARN 4B2: Predict Elimination Products Regioselectivity: Zaitsev vs. Hoffman Products Stereoselectivity: Cis- vs. Trans- Stereospecificity: Anti-periplanar Alignment Office Hour Discussion: 11/17/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 4B2a: Predicting Products of Elimination Reactions QUIZ 4B: Elimination Reactions
Week 12: Nov. 19th	LEARN 4B3: Putting it all together: SN1, SN2, E1 & E2 Office Hour Discussion: 11/19/20 Optional review: Friday, Nov. 20th: 3:30-5:00 pm	COOP 4: Substitutions & Eliminations

TAKE HOME EXAM 4: DUE Nov. 24th

In UNIT 5, we will learn about other categories of reactions with a focus on the addition reactions of alkenes and alkynes. Building on those reactions, we will explore the principles of organic synthesis to make complex molecular targets. After you've covered the fundamentals, you'll want to work on COOP 5: Additions & Synthesis; this will help you prepare for the challenging problems encountered on the exams..

Week & Date:	LEARNING RESOURCES:	REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS:
Week 13: Nov. 24th	NO CLASS: Thanksgiving Break
Week 13: Nov. 26th	NO CLASS: Thanksgiving Break
Week 14: Dec. 1st	LEARN 5A1: Alkene Addition Reactions Hydrohalogenation: Markovnikov Addition Halogenation Hydration Halohydrin Formation Oxymercuration-Demercuration Hydroboration-Oxidation: Anti-Markovnikov Addition Epoxidation & Ring Opening Anti- vs. Syn- Dihydroxylation Hydrogenation Ozonolysis Office Hour Discussion: 12/01/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 5A1a: Halogenation, Hydrohalogenation & Halohydrin Formation 5A1b: Hydration, Hydroboration-Oxidation, & Oxymercuration-Demurcuration 5A1c: Oxidations and Reductions of Alkenes
Week 14: Dec. 3rd	LEARN 5A2: Reactions sequences: Additions, Eliminations & Substitutions Thermodynamic vs. Kinetic Products Repositioning leaving groups & double bonds Making Alkynes from Alkenes Office Hour Discussion: 12/03/20 Group Discussion from Lab: 12/03/20 (help discussion on alkene additions included) Optional Review on Alkene Additions: 12/04/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 5A2a: Reaction Schemes QUIZ 5A: Alkene Additions
Week 15: Dec. 8th	LEARN 5A3: Reactions of Alkynes & Intro. to Synthesis Alkyne Additions Making Alkynes from Alkenes Hydration vs. Hydroboration: Keto-Enol Tautomerizations Alkyne Alkyation as a route to C-C bond formation Office Hour Discussion: 12/08/20	CONCEPT CHECKS: 5A3a: Addition Reactions of Alkynes 5A3b: Alkylation of Alkynes in Synthesis
Week 15: Dec. 10th	LEARN 5B2: Applications of Synthesis Examples in the Production of Pharmaceutical Drugs Office Hour Discussion: 12/10/20	QUIZ 5B: Synthesis COOP 5: Additions & Synthesis
Finals Week: Dec. 15th	Optional Synthesis Review Sessions: Friday, Dec. 11th: 12-1 pm Tuesday, Dec. 15th: 12:40-2 pm	EXTRA CREDIT: Mechanism Challenge Problem Course Feedback Survey Creative Chemistry

TAKE HOME EXAM 5: DUE Dec. 17th

The Computer Technology Center (CTC) is here to help with Canvas!

Email: ctc@cabrillo.edu

Phone: 831-477-5286 or 831-786-4703

Live support is also available via Zoom.

Visit the CTC website for a detailed schedule of when they are online.