Freshman Organic Chemistry I
Yale's introductory organic chemistry sequence for well-prepared freshmen, covering current theories of structure and mechanism alongside their historical development and experimental grounding. Recorded from a Fall 2008 Yale College course meeting three times weekly, the videos follow the lecturer building arguments from spectroscopy, bonding models, and reaction mechanisms toward the reasoning that lets chemists predict molecular behavior. The course traces how ideas like resonance and stereochemistry emerged from specific experiments rather than presenting them as finished facts. Materials available through Open Yale Courses include full lecture video, and the course is designed to develop both a feel for the subject and the analytical skills needed for original research. No enrollment or fee is required to view the lectures, which are released under a Creative Commons license.