Introduction

Molecular models are extremely useful in Organic Chemistry, because of the complex three-dimensional (3D) nature of organic chemicals. Students taking university-level organic chemistry are often required to have a set of molecular models. In an introductory course, we do not require that you get models, but we do encourage it. This page presents some options.

Models are also useful in Intro Chem or General Chem, when learning about shapes of covalent molecules (e.g., VSEPR theory). The simplest of models is generally adequate for that purpose.

   top of page

Commercial sets of molecular models

Common sets intended for organic chemistry students have list prices in the range of about $35-$50.

Visit any college bookstore, and see what they have for their organic chemistry course. Whatever it is, it is probably fine.

You can also order models online. See my Buying books page for information about buying things online. I would encourage you to explore using the price comparison services that are shown there. "Used" sets of models may be available, at a substantial discount.

Here are two of the more common sets. Both are of the ball-and-stick type, and are plastic.

The Prentice Hall (or Allyn and Bacon) Molecular Model Set for Organic Chemistry. ISBN 0-205-08136-3.

The Molecular Structure Model, Set C for Organic Chemistry, from VHPS or W H Freeman. ISBN 0-7167-3589-X.

You can learn about other types of molecular models from the J Chemical Education Buyer's Guide, at http://www.umsl.edu/~chemist/books/modelpubs.html.

You might also be able to borrow some models from work, or from someone you know who has taken organic chemistry.