How (and why) electrons flow
So what is the key “driving force” involved in chemistry? A chemist would say that “opposite charges attract, like charges repel.” But how can we
Read moreInstructor’s “kludges” of organic chemistry
A kludge, as commonly defined, is a workaround – an inelegant, quick and dirty solution to a problem. When I’m teaching a reaction or a
Read moreSummary Sheet #8: The Oxidation Ladder
Following up on this post, here’s an attempt at trying to put many of the reactions in organic chemistry in perspective, from the standpoint of
Read moreThe Lies We Tell
Zed Shaw teaches a course in writing Python called “Python the Hard Way“. Because the hard way is easier, he says. In the end, he’s
Read moreOxidation Ladders
Once you get a handle on oxidations and reductions, you might start to notice that with some molecules these reactions can proceed in sequences. For
Read moreReagent Friday: Lithium Di-isopropyl Amide (LDA)
Lithium Diisopropyl Amide (LDA), A Strong, Sterically Hindered Base In a blatant plug for the Reagent Guide, each Friday I profile a different reagent that is
Read moreReagent Friday: Sodium Amide (NaNH2)
Sodium Amide (Sodamide, NaNH2), A Strong Base For The Deprotonation Of Terminal Alkynes (Among Other Uses) In a blatant plug for the Reagent Guide, each Friday
Read moreSteric Hindrance is Like a Fat Goalie
Steric Hindrance In Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions Sportswriter Todd Gallagher asked a question that every hockey fan has probably asked at one point. “Could a morbidly
Read moreExploring Resonance: Pi-Donation
Resonance In Organic Chemistry: Pi Donation and Pi Donors You’d think after five or six posts on resonance, that would be enough. But NO, friends,
Read moreCommon Blind Spot: Intramolecular Reactions
Intramolecular Reactions So I bought a belt today (pleather, 75 cents at the Goodwill). and decided to show it off. This is me putting it
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