Appendix F: Recommended Resources
This appendix consolidates the resources referenced throughout the handbook into a single reference. All resources listed here are freely available online. No single resource is required — the goal is to provide options so that each reader can find the explanation style that works best for them.
Core Resources
Khan Academy — Organic Chemistry
Main page: khanacademy.org/science/organic-chemistry
Khan Academy provides structured video lessons covering most topics in Organic Chemistry I and II, as well as general chemistry review. The organic chemistry section is particularly strong on foundational topics including functional groups, resonance, acids and bases, and reaction mechanisms. Topics are organized into units with videos, articles, and practice exercises.
Best used for: Initial exposure to a topic, foundational concept review, and acid-base chemistry.
Organic Chemistry Tutor
YouTube channel: The Organic Chemistry Tutor
An extensive library of problem-focused videos covering nearly every topic in both semesters of organic chemistry. Particularly useful for worked examples and visual walkthroughs of mechanisms.
Best used for: Mechanism walkthroughs, SN1/SN2/E1/E2 comparisons, stereochemistry, and spectroscopy interpretation.
Professor Dave Explains
YouTube channel: Professor Dave Explains
Organic Chemistry playlist: Organic Chemistry — Professor Dave Explains
Clear, conversational explanations of organic chemistry topics in short videos. Strong coverage of nomenclature, functional groups, and spectroscopy.
Best used for: Quick introductions, nomenclature, NMR and IR fundamentals.
Master Organic Chemistry
Main page: masterorganicchemistry.com
A well-organized website designed specifically for organic chemistry students. Offers concise articles on most major topics, an extensive pKa table, and focused explanations of common problem areas. The articles go deeper than most videos and are especially strong on reasoning through mechanisms rather than memorizing them.
Best used for: Targeted topic review, pKa reference, understanding acidity trends, and troubleshooting difficult concepts.
LibreTexts Organic Chemistry
Main page: Organic Chemistry (Morsch et al.) — LibreTexts
A comprehensive open-access organic chemistry textbook. Useful as a primary reading source when a more thorough explanation is needed than a video provides. Covers the full two-semester sequence.
Best used for: In-depth reading on any topic, as a supplement to or replacement for a commercial textbook.
MIT OpenCourseWare — 5.12 Organic Chemistry I
Main page: MIT OCW 5.12 Organic Chemistry I
Lecture handouts: Lecture Handouts
Problem sets: Assignments
Exams: Exams
Free course materials from MIT’s undergraduate organic chemistry sequence. Includes lecture notes, problem sets with solutions, and exams with answer keys.
Best used for: Practice problems, exam preparation, and seeing how an advanced course presents the material.
OpenStax Chemistry 2e
Main page: openstax.org/books/chemistry-2e
A comprehensive general chemistry textbook. Recommended specifically for the general chemistry review in Part II.
Best used for: Reviewing atomic structure, bonding, molecular geometry, hybridization, acids and bases, and equilibrium before the organic chemistry course begins.
Resources by Topic
General Chemistry Review
| Topic | Recommended Resources |
|---|---|
| Atomic structure and periodic trends | OpenStax Ch. 6; Khan Academy — Atomic Structure |
| Chemical bonding | OpenStax Ch. 7; Khan Academy — Structure and Bonding |
| Lewis structures and formal charge | OpenStax Ch. 7; Khan Academy — Structure and Bonding |
| Molecular geometry (VSEPR) | OpenStax Ch. 7; Khan Academy — Structure and Bonding |
| Hybridization | OpenStax Ch. 8; Khan Academy — Structure and Bonding |
| Acids and bases, pKa | OpenStax Ch. 14; Khan Academy — Acids and Bases |
| Equilibrium | OpenStax Ch. 13; Khan Academy — Acids and Bases |
Foundational Organic Chemistry
| Topic | Recommended Resources |
|---|---|
| Functional groups | Khan Academy — Organic Chemistry; LibreTexts Ch. 3 — Alkanes and Functional Groups; Organic Chemistry Tutor |
| Resonance | Khan Academy — Resonance and Acid-Base; LibreTexts Ch. 2 — Resonance (§2.3–2.5); Master Organic Chemistry — Intro to Resonance; Master Organic Chemistry — Evaluating Resonance Structures |
| Acids and bases (organic) | Khan Academy — Resonance and Acid-Base; LibreTexts Ch. 2 — Polar Bonds and Acids/Bases |
| Stereochemistry and chirality | Khan Academy — Organic Chemistry; LibreTexts Ch. 5 — Stereochemistry; Organic Chemistry Tutor |
| Electron flow and curved arrows | Khan Academy — Resonance and Acid-Base; LibreTexts Ch. 6 — Overview of Organic Reactions |
Reaction Mechanisms
| Topic | Recommended Resources |
|---|---|
| Introduction to mechanisms | LibreTexts Ch. 6 — Overview of Organic Reactions; Organic Chemistry Tutor |
| SN1 and SN2 substitution | LibreTexts Ch. 11 — Substitution and Elimination; Master Organic Chemistry — SN1 vs. SN2; Organic Chemistry Tutor |
| E1 and E2 elimination | LibreTexts Ch. 11 — Substitution and Elimination; Organic Chemistry Tutor |
| Addition reactions | Khan Academy — Alkenes and Alkynes; LibreTexts Ch. 7 — Alkene Reactivity |
| Comparing SN1/SN2/E1/E2 | Master Organic Chemistry — Deciding SN1/SN2/E1/E2: Substrate; Master Organic Chemistry — SN1/SN2/E1/E2 Wrapup |
Carbonyl Chemistry
| Topic | Recommended Resources |
|---|---|
| Aldehydes and ketones | LibreTexts Ch. 19 — Aldehydes and Ketones; Organic Chemistry Tutor |
| Carboxylic acids and derivatives | LibreTexts Ch. 20 — Carboxylic Acids; LibreTexts Ch. 21 — Acyl Substitution |
| Enols and enolates | LibreTexts Ch. 22 — Carbonyl Alpha-Substitution; Organic Chemistry Tutor |
| Aldol and Claisen reactions | LibreTexts Ch. 23 — Carbonyl Condensation; Organic Chemistry Tutor |
Aromatic Chemistry
| Topic | Recommended Resources |
|---|---|
| Aromaticity and benzene | Khan Academy — Aromatic Compounds; LibreTexts Ch. 15 — Benzene and Aromaticity; Professor Dave Explains |
| Electrophilic aromatic substitution | Khan Academy — Aromatic Compounds; LibreTexts Ch. 16 — EAS; Organic Chemistry Tutor |
| Substituent effects | Khan Academy — Aromatic Compounds; LibreTexts Ch. 16 — EAS |
Spectroscopy
| Topic | Recommended Resources |
|---|---|
| Infrared spectroscopy | LibreTexts Ch. 12 — MS and IR; Professor Dave Explains; Organic Chemistry Tutor |
| Proton NMR | LibreTexts Ch. 13 — NMR; Professor Dave Explains; Organic Chemistry Tutor |
| Carbon-13 NMR | LibreTexts Ch. 13 — NMR; Organic Chemistry Tutor |
| Mass spectrometry | LibreTexts Ch. 12 — MS and IR; Professor Dave Explains |
| Combined structure determination | MIT OCW — Exams; MIT OCW — Assignments |
Synthesis
| Topic | Recommended Resources |
|---|---|
| Retrosynthesis and multi-step synthesis | MIT OCW — Lecture Handouts; Organic Chemistry Tutor |
| Named reactions | Master Organic Chemistry; Organic Chemistry Tutor |
Recommended Starting Points
If you are beginning the general chemistry review (Part II):
Start with Khan Academy — Structure and Bonding, then move to Khan Academy — Acids and Bases. Use OpenStax Ch. 6, Ch. 7, Ch. 8, Ch. 13, and Ch. 14 for reading.
If you are building foundational organic chemistry knowledge (Part III):
Start with Khan Academy — Resonance and Acid-Base Chemistry. Then read LibreTexts Ch. 1 and Ch. 2. The Master Organic Chemistry — Intro to Resonance article is especially useful for building intuition about resonance.
If you are working through reaction mechanisms (Part IV):
The Master Organic Chemistry — SN1/SN2/E1/E2 Wrapup is one of the clearest summaries available. Pair it with LibreTexts Ch. 11 for reading and the Organic Chemistry Tutor for worked examples.
If you are preparing for spectroscopy (Part VII):
Professor Dave Explains covers NMR and IR particularly well for students encountering these techniques for the first time. Pair with LibreTexts Ch. 12 (IR and MS) and Ch. 13 (NMR) for reading.
A Note on Using These Resources
No single resource covers everything perfectly.
Many students find it helpful to watch a video first to get an initial sense of a topic, then do some reading for depth, then return to the video after the reading has provided more context.
The resources listed here are all free and widely used. They are not the only good options — individual instructors, university libraries, and course materials may provide equally useful alternatives.
The goal is not to use all of these resources.
The goal is to find the combination that helps ideas become clear.