The Four Intermolecular Forces and How They Affect Boiling Points
Properties like melting and boiling points are a measure of how strong the attractive forces are between individual atoms or molecules. (We call these intermolecular
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3 Trends That Affect Boiling Points
Now available – Download this awesome (free) 3-page handout on how to solve common boiling point problems. With 10 examples of solved problems! (Also contains
Read moreHow To Use Electronegativity To Determine Electron Density (and why NOT to trust formal charge)
Last time we talked about how electrons are the “currency” of chemistry and every reaction is a transaction of electrons between atoms. That means that
Read moreIntroduction to Resonance
Last time we talked about how to use electronegativity to find the electron densities in a molecule – and when to ignore formal charge. However
Read moreHow To Use Curved Arrows To Interchange Resonance Forms
Last time in this series on resonance, we saw that resonance forms represent two (or more) different ways to draw the same molecule, which differ only in
Read moreEvaluating Resonance Forms (2): Applying Electronegativity
The last time I talked about evaluating resonance structures the molecules were, to be honest – pretty simple. Evaluating the resonance structures of ethene, the
Read moreEvaluating Resonance Forms (4): Positive Charges
As I mentioned before, the resonance form(s) of lowest energy are those where the charges are minimized. However, sometimes you can’t get around it: you
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 moreWhat Makes A Good Nucleophile?
If you read the last post, you’ll recall that a nucleophile is a species that donates a pair of electrons to form a new covalent
Read moreHow to apply electronegativity and resonance to understand reactivity
One thing has been missing from the discussion of resonance. What’s the point? Who cares if we can write out resonance structures? What does it
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