Introduction to Acid-Base Reactions
Following up on the 4 major classes of reactions you encounter in Org 1, let’s look at the first of those four: acid base reactions.
Read moreHow to Do Well in Organic Chemistry: One Student’s Advice
Over at Med School Odyssey, the author recently wrote about finishing Org 1, and has a lot to share about his experiences with the course.
Read moreThe Three Classes of Nucleophiles
I know I’ve said this before, but a whole lot of organic chemistry can be boiled down to “nucleophile attacks electrophile“. A nucleophile is a
Read moreGrignard Reagents For Addition To Aldehydes and Ketones
Grignard Reagents: Their Formation, Reactions, And Reaction Mechanisms Today’s reagent is one that most students have experience in making at some point or another. Grignard
Read moreNumber Your Carbons!
My one-sentence advice to those about to write an exam: Number your carbons. Now go write your exam. If you need reasons, here they are.
Read moreWhat Makes A Good Leaving Group?
Good Leaving Groups Are Weak Bases A leaving group (a.k.a. “nucleofuge”) is the new Lewis base that is generated in various substitution and elimination reactions when
Read more3 Factors That Stabilize Carbocations
Carbocations: Properties, Formation, and Stability Carbocations are electron-deficient species with an empty p-orbital Lacking a full octet and bearing a positive charge, they tend to
Read moreThe 4 Major Classes of Reactions in Org 1
At least 80% of the reactions you will learn in Org 1 fall into one of these 4 categories. The sooner you can get into the habit of recognizing bond formation and breakage the better off you will be.
Read moreHow To Use Electronegativity To Determine Electron Density (and why NOT to trust formal charge)
How To Determine Partial Charges Last time we talked about how electrons are the “currency” of chemistry and every reaction is a transaction of electrons
Read moreIntroduction to Resonance
Introduction To Resonance Last time we talked about how to use electronegativity to find the electron densities in a molecule – and when to ignore
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