Organic Chemistry

This course explores the structure, physicochemical properties, and reactivity of the main classes of organic compounds, with a particular emphasis on those relevant to food science. Weekly Syllabus Week 1: Introduction - The carbon atom: hybridization, structure of sigma and pi covalent bonds. Week 2: Organic Compounds - Structure, isomeric forms, and the use of condensed and extended structural formulas. Alkyl groups and functional groups. Intermolecular forces in organic compounds and their relationship with physical properties. Week 3: Alkanes and Cycloalkanes - Conformational analysis, physical properties, radical reactions, and stability. Week 4: Alkenes - Structure and properties; cis-trans isomerism; electrophilic additions, radical reactions, and polymerization. Week 5: Dienes, Polyenes, and Delocalized Systems - Aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic compounds: structure and nomenclature. Chromophores and color. Week 6: Halogenated Hydrocarbons - Structure and properties; nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions. Week 7: Stereochemistry - Chirality and optical activity: enantiomers and diastereomers; absolute and relative configuration; meso forms and racemates. Week 8: Alcohols - Structure, physical properties, natural sources, and reactivity. Week 9: Phenols and Other Derivatives - Acid-base and redox properties: natural phenols and polyphenols. Other oxygenated compounds: ethers, epoxides, and quinones. Sulfur compounds: thiols and disulfides. Week 10: Carbonyl Compounds - Aldehydes and ketones: structure and properties. Nucleophilic addition and redox reactions. Hydrates, acetals, and ketals. Nucleophilic addition of nitrogen compounds. Keto-enol tautomerism. Week 11: Carbohydrates - Monosaccharides: structure, open-chain and cyclic forms; Fischer projections and stereochemistry; mutarotation. Glycosides. Di- and polysaccharides: properties and reactions. Week 12: Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives - Carboxylic acids: structure and reactions. Derivatives: esters, anhydrides, acyl halides, amides, carbamates, and ureas. Acyl substitution reactions: esterification; ester and amide hydrolysis. Lipids: fatty acids, triglycerides, and phospholipids. Soaps and surfactants. Week 13: Nitrogen Derivatives and Biomolecules - Amines: structure, properties, and reactions. Natural nitrogenous compounds: alkaloids, porphyrins, and nucleic acids (brief overview). Amino acids: the peptide bond; primary structure of peptides and proteins (brief overview).