MCAT Organic Chemistry Notes

Lessons

1. Lesson 1: Nomenclature

   2 min read4 sections

   • 1.1IUPAC Naming Conventions
   • 1.2Hydrocarbons and Alcohols
   • 1.3Aldehydes and Ketones
   • 1.4Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives

2. Lesson 2: Isomers

   2 min read3 sections

   • 2.1Structural Isomers
   • 2.2Stereoisomers
   • 2.3Relative and Absolute Configurations

3. Lesson 3: Bonding

   3 min read3 sections

   • 3.1Atomic Orbitals and Quantum Numbers
   • 3.2Molecular Orbitals
   • 3.3Hybridization

4. Lesson 4: Analyzing Organic Reactions

   5 min read5 sections

   • 4.1Acids and Bases
   • 4.2Nucleophiles, Electrophiles, and Leaving Groups
   • 4.3Oxidation–Reduction rxns
   • 4.4Chemo selectivity
   • 4.5Steps to Problem Solving

5. Lesson 5: Alcohols

   2 min read3 sections

   • 5.1Description and Properties of Alcohols
   • 5.2Reactions of Alcohols
   • 5.3Reactions of Phenols

6. Lesson 6: Aldehydes & Ketones I

   2 min read3 sections

   • 6.1Aldehydes and Ketones Description Properties
   • 6.2Nucleophilic Addition Reactions
   • 6.3Oxidation Reduction Reactions

7. Lesson 7: Aldehydes & Ketones II

   2 min read3 sections

   • 7.1General Principles of Enolates
   • 7.2Enolate Chemistry
   • 7.3Aldol Condensation

8. Lesson 8: Carboxylic Acids

   2 min read2 sections

   • 8.1Description and Properties of Carboxylic Acids
   • 8.2Reactions of Carboxylic Acids

9. Lesson 9: Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

   2 min read3 sections

   • 9.1Amides, Esters, Anhydrides
   • 9.2Reactivity Principles
   • 9.3Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution Reactions

10. Lesson 10: Nitrogen & Phosphorus Containing Compounds

    2 min read3 sections

    • 10.1Amino Acids and Peptides
    • 10.2Synthesis of 𝛼-Amino Acids
    • 10.3Phosphorus-Containing Compounds

11. Lesson 11: Spectroscopy

    2 min read4 sections

    • Spectroscopy Overview
    • 11.1Infrared Spectroscopy
    • 11.2Ultraviolet Spectroscopy
    • 11.3Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy

12. Lesson 12: Separations and Purifications

    6 min read3 sections

    • 12.1Solubility Based Methods
    • 12.2Distillation
    • 12.3Chromatography