UV-Vis Spectroscopy: Some Practice Questions
In the past few posts we’ve covered some of the key points of UV-Vis spectroscopy. Now comes the key question: how do we apply it?
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The Meso Trap
Question: Are these molecules enantiomers, diastereomers, or the same? If you immediately recognized this as a molecule with an internal plane of symmetry (and thus
Read moreHow John Pulled Up His Organic Chemistry Exam Grades
The other week, loyal reader “John” (not his real name) wrote in to tell me how he had pulled up his exam grade in organic
Read moreHow To Prepare for Organic Chemistry Exams
A common problem students tell me is that they feel that they know the material, but when they write an exam, they don’t do well.
Read moreIf you’re leaving for an O-Chem exam in 3 minutes or less, read this.
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 moreOrganic Chemistry Study Tips: Super-Detailed Advice
The other day a student named Peter left several comments about his specific study methods in organic chemistry. I thought it was so useful that
Read moreTwo Midterm Problems I Like
In freshman year I remember being aghast at some of the exam questions my dorm-mates got in their engineering physics classes. They typically had some hideous
Read moreHow to Succeed In Orgo: Collected Advice
The course syllabus is that sheet of paper you get on the first day of class that explains what the grading scheme is, the course
Read moreOrganic Chemistry Study Tips: Quick Wins
Sometimes I spend time on the SDN forums to see what premeds have to say about their organic chemistry woes. Last night while poking around,
Read moreOrganic Chemistry Study Tips – Reframe Answers As Questions
Let’s take a quick look at this reaction. Here’s one way to study it: look at the starting material, look at the reagents, look at
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