What is the best way to study organic chemistry?

Question

I am taking both Orgo I and II over the summer semester. In Orgo II, we need to remember all the reactions and mechanisms from Orgo I. I want to get an A in this course but all these reaction mechanisms seem too overwhelming to me. What is the best way to study. I will do whatever it takes but I don't have much time. The semester ends on Aug 15th. Please help me out. I want to utilize the weekend studying this stuff.

Answer 1

my opinion:

organic chemistry is actually easy when taught by energetic and good instructors, and, you take the time to regularly review what's being taught. you seem fairly motivated to do well, you'll be fine. what text book are you following - solomon?

try to make time to study org chem a little at a time, the moment you feel overwhelmed, just close the book. you're not going to be able to feed more stuff into your brain if you're overwhelmed already. come back to studying a little later and see if you can focus again.

if you are looking into reaction mechanisms, mechanisms by jerry march is a really good book. try and get a good grasp of how to move electrons using arrows - for this you need to be fairly thorough with the first few chapters.

after you study each chapter, try to solve the questions at the end of the chapter. this will essentially help to clarify what you have and haven't understood.

and, if you post your specific questions on yahoo answers, you know some will answer them. good luck.

Answer 2

I aced orgo 1 and 2. This course is very difficult. You have to study the reactions given by the instructor over and over again. 60 hours a week for a normal semister. Now, as you may know, every orgo instructor does not want to give anyone an A. The only way to get an A is to study additional reactions that the instructor mentions in class, but does not put on the board. And studying is not enough- you have to work out each reaction in pencil over and over again. Always show the detail electron movements and required reagents and mediums (e.g 10% HCL). When you dream about the reactions and see the electron transfers in your mind (picture it as an animation) you are ready. - or take it at another school that does not transfer the grade,just the credits.

Answer 3

When I took Organic I was headed for a C. I got out of this mess and achieved an A- by purchasing the Solved Problem manual that went along with our text book and studying how the problems were solved for many many problems.

The key for me was to pay attention the where the electrons are going, what atoms and groups are electronegative and which are electropositive (creating partial positive or negative charges).

Draw diagrams showing how electron pairs or unpaired electrons are attracted to positive carbons, etc. If an electron can move to form a bond, or a stable intermediate molecule, then that is favored.

This approach will let you focus on a few simpler rules to predict reaction mechanisms.

You can also try to memorize all the different reaction mechanisms, but I found this to be too difficult.

Answer 4

O-chem is like learning a language. You could memorize all the vocabulary and grammar rules, but unless you use it everyday, it's hard to put everything into context and use efficiently. Since it's unlikely you can do each and every one of the experiments, the best thing would probably be to DO AS MANY PRACTICE PROBLEMS AS POSSIBLE. The more you're challenged and forced to think critically about a certain reaction or mechanism, the easier it will be to remember and utilize the next time you see it. O-chem is a very tough class, and it's even harder since you're taking both 1 and 2 during a summer session. Good luck!

Answer 5

We all have the academics to deal with but as an oceanographer, I'd say the best education came from field and lab work. It also helped to be a part of a team, (more minds, more insights), so get up a study group or start hanging around with people who live the subject. Oh yes, Don't forget!! The Prof is there for a reason, Don't be afraid to ask for help. Like you're doing now.

Answer 6

The way I managed to get through O chem was that I noticed that a lot of the reactions fell into some random generic group of reactions (enolates, Sn1, Sn2, E1, E2, etc.) And from there, I learned about the cases where one reaction mechanism would be favored over another. Also, learning the random exceptions and special cases (i.e. Markonikov vs. Anti-Markonikov).

Answer 7

hey even i m in plus 2 for studying organic chemistry , we need to practise the equations n understand the mechanisms n we need to by heart few important named reactions like rosenmund's reaction , Wurtz reaction n all those for organic chemistry i would suggest 1,NCERT CBSE chemistry(part -2) text book (class -12) 2. O P TANDON is also an excellent book which i follow

Answer 8

i think the best way to study any topic is to create an interest towards that and to read that again and again.as it is a known fact that organic chemistry is a volatile subject (in terms of chemistry itself),it is good to memorise certain things wherever necessary.you cannot all the way memorise things since it is difficult in ogc.u need a good understanding at some areas too.instead of taking it as a subject you can think of it all the time which improves your memory about ogc.you can even have a look at it and cram some areas.always think about it.practice the equations by writing it.one willform the basic of the other.

Answer 9

Well, when I did it I made stacks of index cards. There were commen themes too. HBr opening up a double bond, etc. Nickle or Platinum as catalyts. Put the reactants on the front of an index card and the products on the back. Bring the cards with you and study them every spare moment. Also, I think they made a video game that has chemicals dropping down and you catch them with the molecule you are growing. It reacts as it would in nature.

Answer 10

I took Ochem..and one thing I learned from my teacher was to try to understand the mechanism first...why does step 1 happen first? why does this bond break? why does this form a double bond? why do the electrons go here or there? If you ask yourself these questions as you go through all the mechanism, it will make it easier for you to learn. Also, try to remember E1,E2,SN1,SN2 and Markovinov rules...they make it easier to understand...

In addition to that, memorize the functional groups it makes it easier to figure out what is what and where it is going. Also, get a supplemental guide, something that helps summarize O.chem kinda like cliff notes or sparknotes for O.chem easily found at a book store.