Organic chemistry I is an introduction to the relationship between chemical structure and the physical and chemical properties of molecules. A qualitative description of structure and bonding is presented. The relationships between free energy changes and equilibria, and between activation energy and rate of reaction are developed. Stereochemistry and isomerism are explored. The concept of the mechanism of reaction is presented and the relationships between mechanism, the least energy path, stable intermediates and transition states are exemplified by the reactions of the alkanes, alkenes, alkyl halides, and alcohols. The use of instrumental methods of structural analysis is also introduced.
