Organic Chemistry For Dummies

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What topics are covered in an organic chemistry college course?

I keep hearing nightmare stories about how hard this course is so I've convinced myself that I need to study independently a semester in advance so I won't feel too overwhelmed when I eventually take it.

I bought a cheap ochem textbook (and ochem for dummies to supplement) but I'm not sure what parts I should read in the textbook, unless most courses require that you read the book from beginning to end! (which in that case, might be a good idea to start reading now!)

oh yea, if possible, can you specify which ones are in ochem-I and ochem-II?

I am very grateful for your answers. Thanks in advance!

I can't speak for your school, but the course and expectations can vary quite widely. From my experience, most students succeed with stereochemistry, conformational analysis, nomenclature, etc. They describe static things. If given enough practice, students know what sp3 or axial mean.

Reactions are a different matter. You start with something and end up with something else and the variations are endless. I used reaction mechanisms or mechanistic thinking as a staple of my teaching activities. I also introduced a mechanism workbook to supplement the class. By doing so, I raised my class average on the ACS organic exam by 20 percentile points.

Many students (and professors) resist a mechanism approach. A mechanisms is a logical explanation of the electron movements that lead to the products. I like it. That kind of thinking appeals to me and has worked well with my class.

Learn reaction mechanisms with "The Language of Organic Chemistry; A Guide to Organic Chemistry Mechanisms" at http://www.curvedarrowpress.com. Incidentally, I had a summer high school student learning reactions from the book without taking organic chemistry. The book makes the reactions accessible and I believe my results are a reflection of that.

At the other extreme, some schools emphasize retrosynthesis and can be rigid in how it is formatted. I have tutored some students in schools like that. I mention this because it strikes me as being extremely challenging to try to make use of reactions frequently did not know. It is like translating from English with a foreign language dictionary. I would expect organic chemistry to be extremely challenging at those schools.

Catalysts for Dummies


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