CHEM 108: Introduction to Organic Chemistry - For BSc Programs of Scientific Colleges

CHEM 108, Introduction to Organic Chemistry, is an organic chemistry course designed for BSc students in scientific colleges and offered by the Department of Chemistry, College of Science. It introduces the fundamental principles of organic chemistry, with emphasis on the structure, classification, nomenclature, physical properties, and reactions of organic compounds, as well as the structure and biological relevance of biomolecules. The course content consists of:

Chapter 1: Introduction to Organic Chemistry

This chapter covers the origin of carbon compounds and the development of organic chemistry, along with atomic structure, electron configuration, and molecular orbitals. It also includes chemical bonding, hybridization, molecular geometry, resonance, and electron delocalization.

Chapter 2: Structure and Classification of Organic Compounds

This chapter presents the structure and classification of hydrocarbons, including alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, cycloalkanes, and aromatic compounds, along with types of isomerism and their stability. It also explains the structure and classification of Organic Halogen Compounds, oxygen- and nitrogen-containing functional groups such as alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amides, amines, and nitriles.

Chapter 3: Nomenclature of Organic Compounds

This chapter explains the nomenclature of hydrocarbons, including alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, cycloalkanes, and aromatic compounds, using both IUPAC and common systems. It also covers the nomenclature of functional groups containing Organic Halogen Compounds, oxygen and nitrogen, such as alcohols, ethers, epoxides, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amides, amines, and nitriles.

Chapter 4: Physical Properties and Intermolecular Forces

This chapter explains the physical properties of organic compounds such as boiling points, solubility, and acidity in relation to molecular structure and intermolecular forces. It also covers the physical properties of hydrocarbons, Organic Halogen Compounds, alcohols, ethers, epoxides, carboxylic acids, and amines, including their polarity and basicity.

Chapter 5: Organic Reactions

This chapter explains the major classes of organic reactions, including acid–base, radical, elimination, electrophilic addition, aromatic substitution, nucleophilic substitution, oxidation–reduction, and functional group transformations. It highlights reaction mechanisms, reactivity patterns, and key examples across hydrocarbons, aromatic systems, Organic Halogen Compounds, and oxygen- and nitrogen-containing compounds.

Chapter 6: Biomolecules and Their Biological Relevance

This chapter covers the structure, reactions, and biological importance of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids. It explains their classifications, functional roles, synthesis, and uses.