Organic Chemistry I or equivalent knowledge is recommended, along with preparation in chemistry and physics. Lecture viewing does not replace laboratory instruction.
Optional preparation: Free MIT Course: General Chemistry: Atoms, Bonding and Reactions.
About this course
Understanding an organic reaction involves explaining both what changes and why that pathway is plausible. This free Yale course continues the foundations developed in Organic Chemistry I, moving into reaction mechanisms, selectivity, spectroscopy and synthesis. It suits learners ready to connect molecular structure with chemical evidence.
Course at a glance
| Provider | Yale |
|---|---|
| Instructor / Teaching team | J. Michael McBride |
| Platform | YouTube · YaleCourses |
| Access | Free Video |
| Level | Intermediate · WikiFree audience assessment |
| Language | English |
| Lessons | 38 |
| Video duration | 31h 20m · allow extra time for reading and practice |
| Format | Self-paced video learning |
| Certificate | No certificate included with free YouTube viewing |
What you’ll learn
- Relate reaction-rate observations to proposed mechanisms.
- Compare substitution, elimination and addition pathways.
- Explain the purpose of key spectroscopic techniques introduced.
- Follow the reasoning behind a multistep synthesis example.
Skills you’ll gain
- Reaction mechanisms
- Stereochemistry
- Spectroscopy
- Synthesis reasoning
Course Overview
The course develops reaction-rate and mechanistic reasoning before examining substitution, elimination, additions and aromatic chemistry. Spectroscopy introduces ways of investigating structure, including infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance topics. Later lectures connect these tools with carbonyl chemistry, synthesis and examples from molecules of biological interest.
How the course develops
- Mechanisms and selectivity: relate energy, rate laws, intermediates and reaction conditions.
- Structural evidence: explore how spectroscopic observations contribute to molecular identification.
- Synthesis and connections: examine how individual reactions fit into a sequence for constructing or transforming a molecule.
The classroom contains all 38 videos in this official YaleCourses playlist. Use the lesson list to follow the course or search for a topic you want to revisit. Introductory segments, teaching examples and supplementary discussions remain available within this course.
Who is this for?
Chemistry students and independent learners who have completed a strong introductory organic chemistry foundation.
Before you start
Organic Chemistry I or equivalent knowledge is recommended, along with preparation in chemistry and physics. Lecture viewing does not replace laboratory instruction.
Put the lessons into practice
Take one reaction from the lectures and draw the proposed sequence of changes. Annotate the role of the substrate, reagent, solvent and evidence that supports the mechanism.
This optional study activity is provided by WikiFree for independent reflection. It is not a graded Yale assignment. Keep a short record of what you can explain confidently and what you need to revisit; use that record to plan your next study session.
Certificate / Assessment
The public videos can be watched free of charge. This WikiFree listing does not include a Yale certificate, academic credit, a degree, graded assessments or feedback from the instructors. A similarly named course on another platform may have different enrollment, assessment and payment conditions.
The classroom’s Mark complete control records your personal progress. It does not assess your understanding or award a credential. Course examples reflect the recordings; check current sources whenever you need up-to-date professional information.
Related courses for your next step
- Compare another approachFree Yale Course: Organic Chemistry I: Structure and Mechanisms
Focus: Chemical structure · Bonding models
Intermediate - Review a lower-level optionFree MIT Course: General Chemistry: Atoms, Bonding and Reactions
Focus: 1. The Importance of Chemical Principles · 9. Periodic Table; Ionic and Covalent Bonds
Beginner - Compare another approachFree MIT Course: Biochemical Reactions and Metabolism
Focus: Lexicon of Biochemical Reactions: Introduction · Carbonyl Chemistry
Intermediate
Compare course focus, level and study time
| Course | Level | Focus | Study time |
|---|---|---|---|
| This course — Free Yale Course: Organic Chemistry II: Reactions and Spectroscopy | Intermediate | Reaction mechanisms · Stereochemistry · Spectroscopy | 31h 20m of video; practice time is additional |
| Free Yale Course: Organic Chemistry I: Structure and Mechanisms | Intermediate | Chemical structure · Bonding models · Stereochemistry | 30h 4m of video; practice time is additional |
| Free MIT Course: General Chemistry: Atoms, Bonding and Reactions | Beginner | 1. The Importance of Chemical Principles · 9. Periodic Table; Ionic and Covalent Bonds · 18. Introduction to Chemical Equilibrium | 25h 24m of video; practice time is additional |
| Free MIT Course: Biochemical Reactions and Metabolism | Intermediate | Lexicon of Biochemical Reactions: Introduction · Carbonyl Chemistry · Maintenance of Redox Neutrality | 12h 15m of video; practice time is additional |
Frequently asked questions
Is this Yale course free?
Yes. This listing provides the official YaleCourses YouTube videos for free viewing. Textbooks, optional materials and separately enrolled programs may have their own costs.
How long does the course take?
The playlist contains 38 videos totaling approximately 31h 20m. Reading, note-taking, revision and independent practice add to that viewing time.
What background do I need?
Organic Chemistry I or equivalent knowledge is recommended, along with preparation in chemistry and physics. Lecture viewing does not replace laboratory instruction.
Will I receive a Yale certificate?
No. Watching these YouTube lessons or marking them complete on WikiFree does not earn a Yale certificate, degree or academic credit.
Can I watch on a phone?
Yes. Use the responsive lesson list and player on a phone, tablet or computer. A larger screen and a notebook may help with detailed examples, equations or software demonstrations.
What happens if a video becomes unavailable?
The lesson should remain visible in its place with its title and an availability notice. You can continue with the other lessons and report the problem through the correction link.
Provider: Yale. Videos play from the YaleCourses channel on YouTube.
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