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Organic Chemistry I
CHEM-UA 9225
NYU London
Instructor Information
● Dr Aga Kosinska
● Please send me an e-mail to set up the office hours
Course Information
● Lectures: Tuesdays & Thursdays; 4.30 – 5.45
○ Room 104, Bedford Square
● Recitation sessions:
○ Tuesdays; 11.00 – 11.55 in 105 & 3.00 – 3.55 in G05
● Co-requisite: none
Course Overview and Goals
The major aim of this course is to introduce students to the foundations of organic chemistry
by focusing on the structures, properties and chemical reactivity of the various hybridization
states carbon atoms can adopt in alkanes (including cycloalkanes), alkenes and alkynes.
This course will also cover different aspects of isomerism observed in organic compounds as
well as the reactions’ mechanisms (substitution, elimination, and addition) in terms of the
electrons flow. This course will also introduce various analytical techniques (MS, NMR and
IR) used to determine organic structures.
Upon Completion of this Course, students will be able to:
● understand bonding and structures of alkanes, alkenes and alkynes;
● understand and recognize various types of isomerism present in the main three
groups of hydrocarbon;
● recognize different organic reactions (substitution, elimination, and addition) and to
show abond breaking/forming using curly arrows representation of the electrons flow;
● investigate simple spectroscopic data to identify structures of organic molecules.
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Course Requirements
Grading of Assignments
The grade for this course will be determined according to these assessment components:
Assignments/
Activities
Description of Assignment
% of
Final
Grade
Due
Laboratories Lab reports and final practical examination 25
Lectures: 75
Quizzes
(15 minutes each)
Midterm exams
(75 minutes each)
Final exam
(110 minutes)
Quizzes will be conducted in recitation section; There
will be 12 quizzes. The top 9 scores you receive on
those quizzes will count towards the quiz portion
Two midterm examinations
Final examination
20
40
40
Failure to submit or fulfill any required course component results in failure of the class
Grades
Letter grades for the entire course will be assigned as follows:
Letter Grade Description
A
Outstanding participation in the course; excellent comprehension
and presentation of the course content;
B
Very good involvement in the course; good working knowledge
of the learning outcomes;
C
Good participation in the course; reasonable understanding of
the course content;
D
Partial engagement in the course; limited working knowledge of
the course material;
F
Inadequate involvement in the course; fractional understanding
and knowledge of the learning outcomes;
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Course Materials
Preparation for Class: Students should read each chapter before coming to the first class
that discusses that material. Because some chapters may take more time than is anticipated,
you will need to be attuned to what has been covered in class so you are prepared.
Required Textbooks & Materials
● Maitland Jones and Steven A. Fleming, “Organic Chemistry”, Fifth Edition, ISBN
0393931498
● Maitland Jones, Jr., Henry L. Gingrich, Steven A. Fleming, “Study Guide/Solutions
Manual to Accompany Organic Chemistry”, Fifth Edition, ISBN 978-0-393-93659- 9
Optional Textbooks & Materials
● Clayden Jonathan et al., “Organic Chemistry”, ISBN 0-19-850346-6
● Michael Hornby and Josephine Peach, “Foundations of Organic Chemistry”, ISBN
978-0-19-855680-0
● Patrick Graham, “A very short introduction: Organic Chemistry”, ISBN 978-0-19-
875977-5
Resources
● Access your course materials: NYU Classes (nyu.edu/its/classes)
● Databases, journal articles, and more: Bobst Library (library.nyu.edu)
● NYUL Library Collection: Senate House Library (catalogue.libraries.london.ac.uk)
● Assistance with strengthening your writing: NYU Writing Center
(nyu.mywconline.com)
● Obtain 24/7 technology assistance: IT Help Desk (nyu.edu/it/servicedesk)
Course Schedule
Session/Date Topic Reading
Session 1: Introduction
Session 2:
• Atoms & atomic orbitals
• Covalent bonds & Lewis
structures
•
Formal charges
Chapter: 1.1 – 1.4
Pages: 4 - 22
Session 3:
• Resonance structures &
curly arrows conventions
•
Molecular orbitals (H
2
)
Chapter: 1.5 – 1.6
Pages: 23 - 37
Quiz 1
Session 4:
• Bond strength
• Intro to electrophiles &
nucleophiles
Chapter: 1.7 – 1.8
Pages: 37 - 44
Session 5:
Alkanes
(nomenclature, constitutional
isomerism, conformational analysis)
Chapter 2
Pages: 52 - 97
Quiz 2
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Session/Date Topic Reading
Session 6:
Alkanes
(nomenclature, constitutional
isomerism, conformational analysis)
Chapter 2
Pages: 52 - 97
Session 7:
Alkenes & Alkynes
(structure, addition reaction)
Chapter 3
Pages: 101 – 146
Quiz 3
Session 8:
Alkenes & Alkynes
(structure, addition reaction)
Chapter 3
Pages: 101 – 146
Session 9:
Stereochemistry
(chirality, enantiomers)
Chapter 4
Pages: 151 – 187
Quiz 4
Session 10:
Material covered up to Session 8
Chapters 1 - 3
examination
Session 11:
Stereochemistry
(chirality, enantiomers)
Chapter 4
Pages: 151 – 187
Quiz 5
Session 12:
Rings
(cycloalkanes, polycyclic
compounds)
Chapter 5
Pages: 190 – 226
Session 13:
Rings
(cycloalkanes, polycyclic
compounds)
Chapter 5
Pages: 190 – 226
Quiz 6
Session 14:
Substituted alkanes
Chapter 6
Pages: 229 - 264
Session 15:
Substitution reactions S
N
1
Chapter 7
Pages: 267 - 325
Session 16:
Substitution reactions S
N
2
Chapter 7
Pages: 267 - 325
Quiz 7
Session 17:
Elimination reactions E1
Chapter 8
Pages: 331 – 363
Session 18:
Elimination reactions E2
Chapter 8
Pages: 331 – 363
Quiz 8
Session 19:
Instrumental analysis
(NMR, IR, MS)
Chapter 9
Pages: 367 - 430
Session 20:
Instrumental analysis
(NMR, IR, MS)
Chapter 9
Pages: 367 - 430
Quiz 9
Session 21:
Instrumental analysis
(NMR, IR, MS)
Chapter 9
Pages: 367 - 430
Session 22:
Material covered up to Session 18
Chapters 4 - 8
Session 23:
Electrophilic Additions to
Alkenes
Chapter 10
Pages: 441 - 481
Quiz 10
Session 24:
Electrophilic Additions to
Alkenes
Chapter 10
Pages: 441 - 481
Session 25:
More Addition Reactions to
π bonds
Chapter 11
Pages: 487 - 537
Quiz 11
Session 26:
More Addition Reactions to
π
bonds
Chapter 11
Pages: 487 - 537
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Session/Date Topic Reading
Session 27:
Radical Reactions
Chapters 12
Pages: 554 - 584
Quiz 12
Session 28:
Radical Reactions
Chapters 12
Pages: 554 - 584
FINAL EXAMINATION
Co-Curricular Activities
• none
Classroom Etiquette
• Toilet breaks should be taken before or after class or during class breaks.
• Food & drink, including gum, are not to be consumed in class, except bottled water.
• Mobile phones should be set on silent and should not be used in class except when
instructed by the lecturer.
• Laptops are only to be used for the note-taking activities.
• Please kindly dispose of rubbish in the bins provided.
NYUL Academic Policies
Attendance and Tardiness
• Key information on NYU London’s absence policy, how to report absences, and what
kinds of absences can be excused can be found on our website
(http://www.nyu.edu/london/academics/attendance-policy.html)
Assignments, Plagiarism, and Late Work
• You can find details on these topics and more on this section of our NYUL website
(https://www.nyu.edu/london/academics/academic-policies.html) and on the Policies
and Procedures section of the NYU website for students studying away at global
sites (https://www.nyu.edu/academics/studying-abroad/upperclassmen-semester-
academic-year-study-away/academic-resources/policies-and-procedures.html).
Classroom Conduct
Academic communities exist to facilitate the process of acquiring and exchanging knowledge
and understanding, to enhance the personal and intellectual development of its members, and
to advance the interests of society. Essential to this mission is that all members of the
University Community are safe and free to engage in a civil process of teaching and learning
through their experiences both inside and outside the classroom. Accordingly, no student
should engage in any form of behavior that interferes with the academic or educational
process, compromises the personal safety or well-being of another, or disrupts the
administration of University programs or services. Please refer to the
NYU Disruptive Student
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Behavior Policy for examples of disruptive behavior and guidelines for response and
enforcement.
Disability Disclosure Statement
Academic accommodations are available for students with disabilities. Please contact the
Moses Center for Students with Disabilities (212-998-4980 or mosescsd@nyu.edu) for
further information. Students who are requesting academic accommodations are advised to
reach out to the Moses Center as early as possible in the semester for assistance.
Instructor Bio
In 2000, Dr Aga Kosinska graduated from Gdansk University of Technology in Poland with
MSc engineer degree in Chemical Technology. In 2001, she started her international
adventure across countries and educational systems around the world. In 2003, she began
her research in the area of analytical chemistry at the University of San Francisco (USF) where
she received: The American Institute of Chemists Foundation Award Certificate as an
Outstanding Student Majoring in Chemistry and The Department of Chemistry Graduate
Award for Achievement in Teaching. Then, Dr Kosinska moved to the University of St Andrews
where she did her PhD studies in the area of organic and medicinal chemistry. Her research
focused on the design and synthesis of novel N-hydroxyguanidines as NO donors. In 2010,
she started working as a Chemistry Teaching Fellow at UCL’s Centre for Preparatory Studies
in Astana, Kazakhstan. She came back to the UK in 2013, and started working as a Lecturer
in Extended Science at Plymouth University. In 2014, she completed Postgraduate Certificate
in Academic Practice and become a Fellow of Higher Education Academy. Currently, she is
working at the UCL’s Centre for Languages and International Education as the Senior
Chemistry Teaching Fellow where she has been sharing her innovative learning and teaching
approaches to international students.