Our goal, as we embark on this journey, is to understand the structure and reactivity of carbon-based (in other words, "organic") molecules; in the vast majority of cases, this really means being familiar with how charged particles (protons & electrons) behave and interact with one another. I have outlined a list of general chemistry topics below that will be essential for success in organic chemistry. My recommendation is that you brush up on the basics and try working through these representative practice problems I've put together; the ANSWER KEY for these problems is available as well. Master these basics and you'll have a solid foundation for developing an intuitive understanding of organic chemistry.

Lewis dot structures:
- Counting valence electrons
- Octet rule
- Formal charge: Practice Problems + ANSWER KEY
- Patterns in Bonding
VSEPR Theory:
- Molecular geometry
- Bond angles
- Hybridization:
  - sp³
  - sp²
  - sp
Periodic properties:
- Electronegativity
- Atomic Size

The remaining outline below represents additional topics that we will regularly refer to from your general chemistry coursework. Review these topics if you are feeling ambitious and have extra time after refreshing yourself with the essentials above. If you haven't already, I also encourage you to attempt the problems in this Entry Level Assessment (+ ANSWER KEY).

Polarity & physical properties:
- Intermolecular forces:
  - London dispersion forces
  - Dipole-dipole forces
  - Hydrogen-bonding
  - Ion-dipole forces
- Solubility
- Melting & boiling points
Thermodynamics:
- ΔH^o: Heats of reactions:
- ΔS^o: Change in entropy:
- ΔG^o: Change in Gibbs' free energy
- K_eq: Equilibrium constant
Nomenclature:
- Alkanes
- Alkenes
- Alkynes
- Alkyl halides
- Alcohols
- Aldehydes & ketones
- Carboxylic acids & esters