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Six Pillars of Organic Chemistry

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Joseph J. Mullins

Department of Chemistry and Physics, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY 13214

J. Chem. Educ., 2008, 85 (1), p 83

DOI: 10.1021/ed085p83

Publication Date (Web): January 1, 2008

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

This article describes an approach to teaching organic chemistry, which is to have students build their knowledge of organic chemistry upon a strong foundation of the fundamental concepts of the subject. Specifically, the article focuses upon a core set of concepts that I call "the six pillars of organic chemistry": electronegativity, polar covalent bonding, inductive effects, steric effects, resonance, and aromaticity. By the proper application of these concepts, students can explain and predict a wide variety of chemical, physical, and biological properties of molecules. In addition, they can serve to conceptually unite important features of general, organic, and biochemistry. The goal is to introduce the concepts in such a way and to reinforce their importance for each functional group such that students gain a true appreciation for the science and are not overwhelmed by the volume of information in the course. Each semester begins with a lecture devoted to defining these terms, and ends with a capstone lecture that highlights their usefulness. This approach has proven to be popular with students and appears to be in general accord with prevailing attitudes in chemical education.

Keywords (Audience):

Second-Year Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Biochemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Problem Solving / Decision Making

Keywords (Subject):

Bioorganic Chemistry

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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

Oxidation Numbers, Oxidants, and Redox Reactions: Variants of the Electrophilic Bromination of Alkenes and Variants of the Application of Oxone
Marco Eissen, Merle Strudthoff, Solveig Backhaus, Carolin Eismann, and Gesa Oetken, Sören Kaling, Dieter Lenoir
Journal of Chemical Education2011 88 (3), 284-291
- Oxidation Numbers, Oxidants, and Redox Reactions: Variants of the Electrophilic Bromination of Alkenes and Variants of the Application of Oxone
  Marco Eissen, Merle Strudthoff, Solveig Backhaus, Carolin Eismann, and Gesa Oetken, Sören Kaling, Dieter Lenoir
  Journal of Chemical Education2011 88 (3), 284-291
  Oxidation-state and donor−acceptor concepts are important areas in the chemical education. Student worksheets containing problems that emphasize oxidation numbers, redox reactions of organic compounds, and stoichiometric reaction equations are presented. ...
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