SubjectsSubjects(version: 982)
Course, academic year 2026/2027
  
   
Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry - B342011
Title: Základy organické chemie
Guaranteed by: Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds (342)
Faculty: Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology
Actual: from 2026 to 2026
Semester: summer
Points: summer s.:4
E-Credits: summer s.:4
Examination process: summer s.:
Hours per week, examination: summer s.:2/1, C+Ex [HT]
Capacity: unknown / unknown (unknown)Schedule is not published yet, this information might be misleading.
Min. number of students: unlimited
State of the course: taught
Language: Czech
Teaching methods: full-time
Level:  
Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan
enabled for web enrollment
Guarantor: Parkan Kamil doc. Ing. Ph.D.
Classification: Chemistry > Organic Chemistry
Examination dates   Schedule   
Annotation -
Předmět Základy organické chemie poskytuje systematický úvod do struktury, vlastností a reaktivity organických sloučenin. Zaměřuje se na vysvětlení teorie chemické vazby, elektronové struktury molekul a základních principů reakčních mechanismů. Studenti se seznámí s hlavními třídami organických sloučenin, jejich strukturou, stereochemií a typickými reakcemi, včetně substitucí, adic, eliminací a oxidačně-redukčních procesů. Součástí výuky je rovněž úvod do chemie sacharidů a dalších biologicky významných molekul, jako jsou aminokyseliny, peptidy, lipidy a nukleosidy. Důraz je kladen na pochopení vztahu mezi strukturou a reaktivitou a na schopnost správně zapisovat chemické struktury, názvosloví a reakční mechanismy.
Last update: Parkan Kamil (12.01.2026)
Course completion requirements -

• Attendance at lectures is recommended but neither mandatory nor monitored.

• Attendance at seminars is mandatory and may be monitored.

• During the seminars, students are required to complete two credit tests.

• Oral checks of students’ preparedness may take place both during seminars and lectures.

• Consultations can be organized upon the student’s request and by mutual agreement.

• Course completion: The requirement for obtaining the course credit is to pass two interim tests with a score above 50%. The course is completed by an oral examination.

Last update: Parkan Kamil (12.01.2026)
Literature -

Obligatory:

  • McMurry, John. Organic chemistry. Belmont: Cengage Learning Brooks/Cole, 2012, xxiii, 1262 s. s. ISBN 9780840054449.

Optional:

  • Prouza, Vít, Zýka, Jakub. Bioorganická chemie přírodních látek. Praha: VŠCHT Praha, 2022, 159 stran s. ISBN 978-80-7592-143-7.
  • McMurry, Susan. Organic chemistry, study guide and student solutions manual for John McMurry´s Organic chemistry. Belmont: Thomson-Brooks/Cole, 2008, 900 s. s. ISBN 978-0-495-11268-6.

Last update: Parkan Kamil (12.01.2026)
Teaching methods -

• Lectures supported by presentations and practical examples.

• Frontal interactive teaching: the instructor presents the material while students are actively involved through short activities (questions, discussions).

• Discussions during lectures focused on critical thinking and exchange of ideas.

• Case studies – applying theory to real-world examples from natural product chemistry and bioorganic chemistry.

• Seminars focused on solving practical tasks based on the theoretical knowledge from lectures.

• Solving problems individually and in pairs, emphasizing consultation and discussion of solution strategies.

• Analysis of more complex tasks through discussion and independent work.

• Interactive discussions and problem-solving at the board to develop argumentation and analytical thinking.

• Formative assessment and continuous feedback during the seminars.

Last update: Parkan Kamil (12.01.2026)
Requirements to the exam -

The examination consists of an oral part.

The oral examination can only be taken after obtaining at least 50% from both course credits.

The course credit is awarded based on the completion of two interim written tests. Credit is granted if the average score of these tests is at least 50% (each test is scored from 0 to 100 points). If the average score is below 50%, the student must pass a comprehensive make-up test with a minimum of 50 points out of 100 to obtain the credit.

The final grade is based solely on the result of the oral examination. Passing both course credits is a necessary condition for taking the oral exam.

If the course credit is not obtained, the course grade is automatically recorded as F.

Last update: Cibulková Jana (07.11.2025)
Syllabus -

1. Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Basic concepts of organic chemistry and classification of organic compounds. Chemical bonding theory, hybridization of atomic orbitals (sp³, sp², sp), fundamentals of molecular orbital theory. Representation of chemical structures and basics of organic nomenclature.

2. Electronic Structure and Reaction Mechanisms

Electronegativity, bond polarity, oxidation number. Homolytic and heterolytic bond cleavage. Carbocations, carbanions, and radicals—structure and stability. Inductive and resonance effects; resonance. Representation of reaction mechanisms. Acid–base equilibria in organic chemistry.

3. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes

Structure, constitutional isomerism, and conformations of alkanes. Cyclohexane—conformational analysis, steric and torsional strain, cis/trans configuration of substituted derivatives.

4. Alkenes and Their Reactivity

Structure of alkenes, E/Z nomenclature. Electrophilic addition to the double bond, regio- and stereoselectivity. Hydrogenation of alkenes.

5. Conjugated Systems and Dienes

Conjugation; stability of allylic and benzylic intermediates. Cumulated and conjugated dienes. 1,2- and 1,4-additions; kinetic and thermodynamic control. The Diels–Alder reaction.

6. Alkynes

Structure and bonding. Acidity of terminal alkynes. Electrophilic additions and hydrogenation of alkynes.

7. Carbonyl Compounds

Structure of the carbonyl group. Nucleophilic addition to carbonyl compounds. Aldehydes and ketones—basic chemical properties and reactions.

8. Monosaccharides

Structure and configuration of monosaccharides. Cyclization, hemiacetals and acetals. The anomeric carbon and mutarotation.

9. Oligosaccharides and Polysaccharides

Glycosidic bond. Reducing and non-reducing sugars. Structure and properties of starch, glycogen, and cellulose.

10. Haloalkanes—Substitution and Elimination

Structure of haloalkanes. Nucleophilic substitution SN1 and SN2—mechanism, stereochemistry, and the influence of reaction conditions. Eliminations E1 and E2; competition between SN and E reactions.

11. Organometallic Compounds

Organomagnesium and organolithium compounds—preparation, structure, and properties. Organometallics as bases and nucleophiles. Addition to the carbonyl group.

12. Arenes

Aromaticity and Hückel’s rule. Aromatic electrophilic substitution—general mechanism. Halogenation, nitration, sulfonation, Friedel–Crafts reactions. Directing effects of substituents.

13. Alcohols, Phenols, Ethers, and Amines

Structure and acid–base properties of alcohols, phenols, and amines. Substitution, elimination, and oxidation of alcohols. Ethers and epoxides—preparation and reactivity. Basicity and nucleophilicity of amines.

14. Biomolecules—Nucleosides, Amino Acids, Peptides, and Lipids

Structure and chemical properties of nucleosides. Amino acids—stereochemistry, acid–base properties, isoelectric point. The peptide bond. Basic structure of proteins. Lipids—fatty acids, triacylglycerols, and phospholipids.

Last update: Parkan Kamil (12.01.2026)
Learning resources -

Lecture notes

PowerPoint presentations

Electronic workbook: https://och.vscht.cz

Last update: Parkan Kamil (12.01.2026)
Learning outcomes -

Students will be able to:

1. Correctly apply the nomenclature of organic compounds in both written and oral communication.

2. Describe the structure, properties, reactions, and biogenesis of major groups of natural products, and understand the relationship between structure and biological activity.

3. Determine the configuration, chirality, and probable conformations of organic molecules based on structural formulas.

4. Illustrate and explain the reaction mechanisms of fundamental types of chemical and biochemical reactions.

5. Apply theoretical knowledge to solving practical problems related to natural products and bioorganic chemistry.

Competencies developed by the course:

• Professional knowledge and skills:

Understanding the structure, properties, reactivity, and biosynthesis of natural products. Ability to correctly apply organic nomenclature and explain reaction mechanisms and the relationships between structure and function.

• Analytical and critical thinking:

Ability to analyze structural formulas and molecular stereochemistry, and to apply knowledge in solving practical problems and case studies.

• Independent problem-solving:

Development of the ability to work independently when solving chemical and biochemical problems and to design strategies for addressing more complex tasks.

• Teamwork:

Development of skills in consulting and discussing solution approaches and collaborating on assignments during seminars.

• Communication skills:

Ability to present solutions using professional terminology, discuss results, and accurately communicate in the field of natural product chemistry.

• Capacity for further professional development:

Preparation of students for advanced studies in bioorganic chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, and natural product research.

Last update: Cibulková Jana (07.11.2025)
Registration requirements - Czech

Znalosti v rozsahu předmětů

Last update: Cibulková Jana (07.11.2025)
 
VŠCHT Praha