CHEM 112
General Chemistry
Fall 2026–2027
Topics
- Chemical nomenclature
- gases
- thermochemistry
- atomic and molecular structure
- states of matter
- thermodynamics
- chemical equilibrium
- acids and bases
- solubility and complexation
- electrochemistry
- kinetics
- organic chemistry.
Readings
- Primary course textbook: OpenStax, Chemistry 2e, 2nd edition (free online). Required: current-year CHEM 112 laboratory manual. Optional supplementary reading: Michael Mombourquette, First Year General Chemistry (with lecture videos); Petrucci, Herring, Madura and Bissonette, General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications, 11th edition.
Fall 2025 · Main Group Chemistry
Topics
- structures, formal charges, oxidation state, hypervalency, VSEPR, coordination geometry, inorganic
- Diffraction and spectroscopy methods (basic theory and instrumentations)
- Molecular orbital theory Part I (XY diatomic molecules, polyatomic molecules lacking π bonding)
- Chirality (definition, chiral centres, isomerism, labels, optical rotation, asymmetric synthesis, polymers)
- Conformational analysis (conformations, rotational barriers, cyclic compounds, polycyclic compounds)
- Delocalization and Conjugation (alkenes, isomerization, aromaticity, polyenes, conjugation, colour)
- Molecular orbital theory Part II (π bonding in polyatomic molecules)
- Group 13 (boron hydrides, halides, inert pair effect, Lewis acid-base adducts, aluminium)
- Diffraction &
- Spectroscopy
- Chirality
Readings
- Listed material: Inorganic Chemistry (4th or 5th edition) by Housecroft & Sharpe
- Listed material: Organic Chemistry (2nd edition) by Clayden, Greeves & Warren Intended Student Learning Outcomes
- Listed material: 7. Perform laboratory experiments using main group molecules given a written procedure. Approximate Course Timeline Week Topic Readings from Housecroft 4/5th edition Readings from Clayden 2nd edition 1&2 Intro & Review 1 1 & 2
- Listed material: 3 Diffraction & Spectroscopy N/A Follow Lecture notes
- Listed material: 5 VB theory 2 and 5 4 6 MO theory part I 2 and 5 4 7 Chirality 3.8 and 19.8 14 8 Conformational analysis
- Listed material: 16 9 Delocalization 13.8 and 14.4 7 and pages 723-735 10 Group 13 and Pnictogens 13 and 15
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026–2027
- Syllabus / course outline ↗Fall 2026–2027
- Syllabus / course outline ↗Fall 2025
- 2026–27 syllabus. Knewton Alta and Stemble are required assignment platforms; fees omitted. Author spelling follows source.