This document contains the syllabus for a basic organic chemistry course including both the lecture and laboratory components. The lecture will be held on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:50-12:05pm and will cover topics including alkanes, alkenes, aromatics, compounds containing oxygen, sulfur, halogens, amines, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids, amino acids and proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. The grading scheme and exam dates are provided. The laboratory will meet weekly and cover techniques like isolation of compounds, chromatography, and identification of functional groups. Safety protocols for the lab are outlined. Prerequisites for the course are noted.

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Queens College of the City University of New York
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Basic Organic Chemistry
Chem 102.3 Lecture Schedule Fall 2012
See requirements for this course and Chem 103 at the end of this syllabus!
Lecture : Wed, Fri 10:50 - 12:05 PM, Rm 101 Remsen Hall
Professor William H. Hersh, 109 Remsen Hall
Office Hour: Wednesday, 9:30-10:30 AM and by appointment
Telephone: 718-997-4144
e-mail: william.hersh@qc.cuny.edu
LECTURE TEXT: Fundamentals of General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry, McMurry, Castellion,
Ballantine, Hoeger, Peterson, 6
th
Edition, Prentice Hall, 2010 (same edition as your Chem 101 text)
Recommended: Study Guide and Selected Solutions Manual, McMurry, 6
th
Edition
Molecular model kit
LAB TEXT: Laboratory Experiments for Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry, F. Bettelheim
and J. Landesberg, 6
th
or 7
th
Edition, Brooks/Cole, 2007/2010
Grading: 3 Midterm Exams 66%
Final Exam (Comprehensive*) 34%
Total 100%
*The final exam will be the American Chemical Society General-Organic-Biochemistry exam,
Organic Part A and B, Biochemistry Part A. There is no study guide for this particular exam, but
questions will be similar to those on the midterm exams.
Exams will stress lecture material and recitation problems.
Bring photo ID to exams.
You will not be permitted to use books, molecular models, notes, computers, or calculators during
exams. Cell phones are strictly prohibited for class and exams. If you have any questions concerning the
grading, see Dr. Hersh within 10 days following the exam. All re-grade requests must be made in writing
and attached to the exam; do not under any circumstances write anything on the exam itself. Exams are
Xeroxed prior to being returned. There are no make-up exams. Written verification of your reason for
missing an exam is required; your grade will be based on the exams you have taken.
You will need access to Blackboard for handouts - it is your responsibility to provide a valid
e-mail address that you monitor. Announcements will be made via Blackboard and e-mail.
APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE AND PROBLEMS. The text contains many problems similar to those that
will be given on exams. You should do the problems that appear in the body of the text. Selected
answers may be found in the Study Guide; there will not be any graded homework. The following are the
Additional Problems at the end of each chapter for which you are responsible, along with approximate
scheduled lecture topics and expected topics for each exam.
Approximate Schedule and Problems
Date Chp Topic Problems
Aug. 29 12 Alkanes 12.19-30, 34, 35, 37, 38, 40-42, 44-51, 53,
56a,b, 57,60-63
Sept. 5 13 Alkenes, Alkynes, Aromatics 13.23-27, 30, 33, 35-39, 41-43, 48, 50, 58-61,
66-69, 77-78, 80-82, 86-87, 90

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Sept. 12 14 Compounds with Oxygen, 14.19-27, 30a-c, 32, 33, 36-50, 56-57, 63, 66, 71
Sulfur, or a Halogen
Sept. 19 15 Amines 15.21-23, 26-29, 32, 35-36, 39-40, 51, 59, 61
Sept. 28 Exam 1 Chapters 12, 13, 14
Oct. 3 16 Aldehydes and Ketones 16.18-21, 22-30, 32-42, 55, 63, 64
Oct. 17 17 Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives 17.34, 35, 40, 42, 44, 46, 52, 56, 60, 67, 70-72
Oct. 26 18 Amino Acids and Proteins 18.30, 34-39, 44-47, 52, 59, 64-66, 68
Nov. 2 Exam 2 Chapters 15, 16, 17
Nov. 14 22 Carbohydrates 22.22-25, 28, 31-33, 40, 42, 46, 47-54
Nov. 28 24 Lipids 24.26-29, 32-34, 46-48, 51, 61
Dec. 5 26 Nucleic Acids 26.19, 20, 22, 25-28, 46
Dec. 7 Exam 3 Chapters 18, 22, 24, and tentatively 26
Dec. 12 Catch-up (last day)
TBA Dec. 14-21: Final Exam All chapters (including 26)
Classes follow a Monday schedule on Wed. Oct. 10.
No classes on Mon. Sept. 3, Mon.-Tues. Sept. 17-18, Tues.-Wed. Sept. 25-26, Mon. Oct 8,
Thurs.-Fri. Nov. 22-23.
Course Objectives: Students will learn basic structural organic chemistry, including structures and nomenclature
of hydrocarbons and compounds containing the most common functional groups including halides, alcohols, thiols
and disulfides, amines, carbonyl compounds including aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, and amides,
and an introduction to biological molecules including amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic
acids. Stereochemistry will be introduced, and students will learn to draw structures and convey three-
dimensional information about structures. Reactions of these compounds will be introduced, but mechanisms of
reactions, synthesis, and spectroscopy will not be covered in this course. At the conclusion, students will have a
foundation that will allow them to enter a course in basic molecular biochemistry.
Assessment: Problem solving ability will be tested using exams; while memorization of naming conventions and
reactions will be required, the emphasis will be on understanding structures of organic compounds. Sample
problems and answers both in the book and on the course web site will be representative of the material that will
be found on exams.
Course Requirements:
Prerequisites for Chem 102.3: C or better in Chem 101.3 and 101.1, or C or better in Chem 113.4
and 113.1
Pre or corequisite: Chem 102.1 (C or better if prerequisite)
Note: a C- in any pre or corequisite will not permit you to take 102.3/102.1!
You must earn a C or better in Chem 102.3 and 102.1 to take Chem 103.3 and 103.1

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Queens College of the City University of New York
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Basic Organic Chemistry
Chem 102.1 Laboratory Schedule - Remsen 351 Fall 2012
See requirements for this course and Chem 103 at the end of this syllabus!
Laboratory Text: Laboratory Experiments for Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry, F.
Bettelheim and J. Landesberg, 6th
or 7th
Edition, Brooks/Cole, 2007/2010
Week 1 Check-in. Review of safety rules and instruction for waste disposal.
Week 2 Isolation of pure acetylsalicylic acid from aspirin tablets
(Download procedure from Blackboard)
Week 3 Molecular Models, Exp 21 p 239-251
Week 4 Identification of Hydrocarbons Exp 24, p. 289-299
Week 5 Chromatography, Exp 23, p. 275-287
Week 6 Identification of Alcohols and Phenols, Exp 25, p. 301-312
Week 7 Identification of Aldehydes and Ketones, Exp. 26, p. 313-327
Week 8 Carboxylic Acids and Esters, Exp. 27. p. 329-340
Week 9 Amines and Amides, Exp. 28, p. 341-352
Week 10 Preparation of Aspirin, Exp 30, p365-376
Week 11 Isolation of Caffeine from Tea Leaves, Exp 31, p. 377-387
Week 12 Carbohydrates, Exp. 32, p 389-398
Week 13 Preparation of Hand Cream, Exp 35, p. 423-431
Week 14 Check Out (No lab work can be done)
Each student must work independently - do your own experiments!
Grading: Lab report and results: 75%; Lab technique: 10%; 3 unannounced quizzes: 15%
SAFETY GLASSES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES!!
Bring the following: Bound (not spiral) lab notebook, matches, a rag, and cleaning supplies.
Your laboratory instructor will tell you how to keep your notebook; answer all questions at
the end of each chapter. Write reports in ink.
If you drop the course, you must check out of the laboratory.
Food, drinks, and chewing gum are not permitted in the laboratory.
Use the lockers in the hall for coats etc.
College schedule - mark your calendars!!
Classes follow a Monday schedule on Wed. Oct. 10.
No classes on Mon. Sept. 3, Mon.-Tues. Sept. 17-18, Tues.-Wed. Sept. 25-26, Mon. Oct 8,
Thurs.-Fri. Nov. 22-23.

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Course Objectives: Students will learn basic organic laboratory techniques including isolation and
purification of organic compounds, and identification of organic compounds using chromatography and
chemical tests; problem solving via understanding the use of the analytical tests is emphasized.
Structural organic chemistry, which is a major focus of the lecture part of the course, will be covered in
a molecular models session. Students will learn to carry out basic preparations of compounds and
mixtures. At the conclusion, students will have a foundation that will allow them to carry out basic
organic laboratory procedures, they will know how to keep an organic laboratory notebook, and they
will know basic safety procedures including handling of hazardous waste.
Assessment: Lab instructors will assess students by means of three short unannounced written quizzes
on the procedures to be carried out, by grading of lab notebooks, by collecting laboratory products and
assessing them for yield and purity and accuracy of reported results in the student notebook, and by
observation of the students during lab, including student technique and adherence to safety rules.
Course Requirements:
Prerequisites for Chem 102.3: C or better in Chem 101.3 and 101.1, or C or better in
Chem 113.4 and 113.1
Pre or corequisite: Chem 102.1 (C or better if prerequisite)
Note: a C- in any pre or corequisite will not permit you to take 102.3/102.1!
You must earn a C or better in Chem 102.3 and 102.1 to take Chem 103.3 and 103.1