Introducing organic chemistry, this module provides a basic understanding of key concepts such as nomenclature, bonding and structure, shape and isomerism, and electronegativity. Students will become familiar with the structures and shapes of organic molecules and be able to explain how these structures are named and represented, and how they can be determined by spectroscopic methods. They will learn about the concept of functional groups and their importance in a biological or environmental context, and will be able to provide examples of chemical reactions in which these groups participate.
Practical sessions in laboratories develop skills in microscale organic chemistry techniques, including the halogenation of alkenes, the formation of alcohols by reduction of ketones, and the dehydration of alcohols.