Fall 2026 - CHEM 286 LA03
Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (2)
Class Number: 4565
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
-
Course Times + Location:
Sep 9 – Dec 6, 2026: Tue, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
-
Instructor:
Pete Wilson
pwilson@sfu.ca
778-782-5654
Office: SSB 8100
-
Prerequisites:
CHEM 281 with a minimum grade of C-. Corequisite: CHEM 282 or 283.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Provides practical laboratory training to complement material covered in the Organic Chemistry II lecture course. The course emphasizes building confidence and competence in the organic chemistry laboratory through repeated practice of standard techniques, execution of diverse reaction types, and the synthesis, purification, and characterization of organic compounds using classical and instrumental methods.
COURSE DETAILS:
Please note, this course outline was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change.
Mode of Teaching:
4 lab hours/week. There is no laboratory session in Week 1.
Prelab assignments will be provided (via Canvas) in Week 1 for the first laboratory session in Week 2.
Laboratory: In-person at Burnaby campus
General Course Description:
The use of modern laboratory techniques in organic chemistry. The laboratory work has been chosen to complement Chem 282/283. The topics may be subject to minor modification.
| Experiment | Topic |
| 1 | Check-in and Identification of Unknowns |
| 2 | Synthesis of Lidocane (2 weeks) |
| 3 | Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution |
| 4 | Grignard (or Wittig) Reaction and Diels Alder (2 weeks) |
| 5 | Aldol Condensation |
| 6 | Enamine Reaction (2 weeks) |
| 7 | Synthesis of Sulcatol (2 weeks) |
| 8 | Theoretical Assignments and Practical In-term Examinations |
Grading
- Laboratory Reports 55%
- Pre-Lab Assignments 10%
- Laboratory Technique 10%
- Laboratory Notebook 5%
- Theoretical Assignments Examination 10%
- Practical Examination 10%
NOTES:
Attendance of In-Person Laboratory Sessions: It is mandatory for students to attend all in-person laboratory sessions. If you are unable to attend an in-person laboratory session due to illness, please contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss alternative arrangements.
REQUIREMENTS:
Prerequisites: CHEM 281, or CHEM 280 plus CHEM 285, with a minimum grade of C-. Corequisites: CHEM 282 or 283.
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Required Materials:
- Lab coat and safety glasses/goggles.
- Notebook
REQUIRED READING:
Lab manuals will be distributed during the first laboratory session (or provided via Canvas in sections).
RECOMMENDED READING:
James W. Zubrick. The Organic Chem Lab Survival Manual: A Student's Guide to Techniques. 11th edition, 2020. Publisher: Wiley
ISBN: 9781119608554
Department Undergraduate Notes:
A grade of C- or better is required for all prerequisite courses.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.