The 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 moreSOCl2 Mechanism For Alcohols To Alkyl Halides: SN2 versus SNi
SOCl2 Mechanism With Alcohols, With And Without Pyridine: Nucleophilic Substitution (SN2) Versus Nucleophilic Substitution With Internal Return (SNi) Most of the time, the reaction of
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 moreAlcohol Reactions Roadmap (PDF)
The Alcohol Reaction Map Having now finished (at long last) covering the key reactions of alcohols, let’s stop to put everything in perspective. Over the
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 morePi-Donation and Pi-Donors
Resonance In Organic Chemistry: Pi Donation and Pi Donors In this article we discuss pi-donation, which is just another way of saying that atoms with a lone
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
Read moreOxidative Cleavage of Vicinal Diols With NaIO4 and Pb(OAc)4
Sodium Periodate, NaIO4 As A Reagent In Organic Chemistry In a blatant plug for the Reagent Guide each Friday I profile a different reagent that is
Read moreDon’t Be Futyl, Learn The Butyls
There are four different types of “butyls”, and they all have their own name. In addition they each have a common name (“trivial name”) which
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