Organic Nomenclature and Stereochemistry (Undergraduate Foundation)

Chemical names follow strict laws. This course teaches IUPAC rules for naming organic compounds and how functional groups define their nature. You will learn to identify molecules by their structures and understand 3D spatial arrangements. We cover optical and geometric isomerism to show how identical formulas can have different shapes. Doctors and pharmacists use these rules to identify drugs. In a lab, naming a substance wrongly can cause dangerous accidents. Knowing how atoms sit in space helps you understand how medicines fit into the human body. This knowledge is the base for making new materials, fuels, and life-saving treatments. You will name complex organic molecules using standard IUPAC Systems. You will categorise compounds by their functional groups and predict their chemical behaviour. You will also identify different types of isomers and draw 3D structures accurately. By the end, you can explain how molecular shape affects biological function. This course is for first-year university students in chemistry, pharmacy, and engineering. It also helps secondary school leavers preparing for advanced science exams. Even if you are not a science major, understanding these basics helps you read product labels and understand the chemicals in your daily life.

Enrolment valid for 12 months

This course is also part of the following learning track. You may join the track to gain comprehensive knowledge across related courses.

CHM 102: General Chemistry II

Excel in your CHM 102 exams and build a professional career in the global science and engineering sectors. This track follows the NUC CCMAS syllabus, covering carbon bonding, molecular structures, and metal chemistry. You will learn how atoms form fuels and medicines, how to identify pure substances, and why molecular shapes affect biological systems. This programme provides the scientific foundation needed for roles in the oil, gas, and pharmaceutical industries. This track is for first-year university students in chemistry, engineering, medicine, or pharmacy. It also serves secondary school leavers preparing for university entrance or technical workers needing a refresher on laboratory methods. Anyone starting a science-based degree will find these lessons essential for their academic progress. You will gain the ability to name organic compounds using IUPAC rules, predict reaction outcomes, and use lab techniques like chromatography and distillation. You will understand how to calculate chemical formulas and explain the behaviour of transition metals. Finishing this programme prepares you for advanced research, quality control roles, and industrial manufacturing.

Course Chapters

1. Introduction

This chapter introduces the universal language of organic chemistry through systematic nomenclature. Accurate naming ensures scientists and health professionals communicate clearly about molecular structures and properties. You will learn to define organic nomenclature, identify major functional group classes, and understand the basic rules governing IUPAC naming systems.

Concept Overviews

3 Lessons

2. Alkanes and Alkyls

This chapter covers the naming of saturated hydrocarbons and their branched side-chains. Mastering these rules is the foundation for naming all more complex organic compounds. You will learn to identify the longest carbon chain, name branched alkanes using IUPAC rules, and correctly identify various alkyl substituents.

Concept Overviews

3 Lessons

Problem Walkthroughs

2 Lessons

3. Functional Group Nomenclature

This chapter details the naming of molecules containing double bonds, triple bonds, and oxygen-based groups. You will learn how to handle molecules where multiple functional groups compete for priority. You will learn to name alkenes and alkynes, apply priority rules for polyfunctional molecules, and name alcohols, ethers, and carbonyl compounds.

Concept Overviews

4 Lessons

Problem Walkthroughs

2 Lessons

4. Cyclic and Aromatic

This chapter covers the naming of ring-shaped molecules and benzene derivatives. These structures are common in nature and form the core of many pharmaceutical drugs. You will learn to name cycloalkanes, master benzene ring numbering, and identify substituents on aromatic systems accurately.

Concept Overviews

3 Lessons

Problem Walkthroughs

2 Lessons

5. Structural Isomerism

This chapter explains how molecules with the same chemical formula can have different connectivity. Understanding these differences is vital for identifying unique substances in chemical analysis. You will learn to distinguish between chain and position isomers, identify functional group isomers, and understand the basics of tautomerism.

Concept Overviews

3 Lessons

Problem Walkthroughs

2 Lessons

6. Geometric Isomerism

This chapter explores how restricted rotation around double bonds creates different spatial arrangements. These isomers often have different physical properties and biological activities. You will learn to identify cis and trans isomers, master the E and Z naming system, and understand how these shapes affect boiling and melting points.

Concept Overviews

3 Lessons

Problem Walkthroughs

2 Lessons

7. Optical Isomerism

This chapter covers chirality and molecules that are non-superimposable mirror images. This form of stereochemistry is crucial in pharmacy as mirror-image drugs can have opposite effects in the body. You will learn to identify chiral centres, assign R and S configurations, and distinguish between enantiomers, diastereomers, and meso compounds.

Concept Overviews

3 Lessons

Problem Walkthroughs

2 Lessons

8. Conclusion

This final chapter reviews the systematic naming and spatial analysis of organic molecules. It reinforces the relationship between a molecule's name, its 3D shape, and its chemical identity. You will learn to synthesise nomenclature and stereochemistry rules and prepare for the study of organic reaction mechanisms in subsequent courses.

Concept Overviews

1 Lesson