ages 18+38 lessons9 chapters

University

Undergraduate chemistry (L1–L3): quantum mechanics applied to the atom, bonding theory (MO, hybridization), chemical thermodynamics, advanced kinetics, electrochemistry, advanced organic, inorganic, spectroscopies. Nine chapters to master the concepts that structure research, industry, and computational chemistry. The final chapter bridges to graduate work.

Chapter 1

Advanced atomistics

The atom from a quantum point of view: Schrödinger equation, s/p/d/f orbitals, spin-orbit coupling, spectra.

  1. Quantum mechanics applied to the atom
  2. s, p, d and f orbitals
  3. Spin-orbit coupling
  4. Atomic spectra
Chapter 2

Bonding and molecules

Advanced Lewis, formal VSEPR (Gillespie), hybridization, molecular orbital theory, energy diagrams.

  1. Advanced Lewis theory
  2. VSEPR / Gillespie
  3. Orbital hybridization
  4. Molecular orbital theory
  5. Energy diagrams
Chapter 3

Chemical thermodynamics

First and second laws, enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy, thermodynamic equilibria.

  1. First law — enthalpy
  2. Second law — entropy
  3. Gibbs free energy
  4. Thermodynamic equilibria
Chapter 4

Advanced kinetics

Complex mechanisms, steady state, homogeneous/heterogeneous/enzymatic catalysis, Michaelis-Menten.

  1. Complex mechanisms
  2. Steady-state approximation
  3. Homogeneous catalysis
  4. Heterogeneous catalysis
  5. Enzymatic catalysis
Chapter 5

Electrochemistry

Batteries, electrolysis, redox potentials, Nernst equation, Pourbaix diagrams. The bridge between chemistry and energy.

  1. Galvanic cells and electrolysis
  2. Standard redox potentials
  3. Nernst equation
  4. Pourbaix diagrams
Chapter 6

Advanced organic chemistry

Formal stereochemistry, SN/E mechanisms, aromatic chemistry, multi-step synthesis.

  1. Stereochemistry: R/S, E/Z
  2. SN1, SN2, E1, E2 mechanisms
  3. Aromatic chemistry
  4. Multi-step synthesis
Chapter 7

Inorganic chemistry

Coordination, transition metals, organometallics (intro), solid-state chemistry.

  1. Coordination chemistry — crystal field
  2. Transition metals
  3. Introduction to organometallics
  4. Solid-state chemistry — crystallography
Chapter 8

Spectroscopic methods

IR, UV-Vis, ¹H/¹³C NMR, mass spectrometry, intro to XRD. Identifying a molecule, monitoring a reaction.

  1. IR and UV-Vis
  2. ¹H and ¹³C NMR
  3. Mass spectrometry
  4. Introduction to X-ray diffraction
Bridge

Toward graduate work

Bridge chapter to graduate work: computational quantum chemistry, group theory, supramolecular, green chemistry and asymmetric catalysis.

  1. Computational quantum chemistry (DFT, intro)
  2. Group theory
  3. Supramolecular chemistry
  4. Green chemistry and asymmetric catalysis