Evaluating Resonance Forms (1) – The Rule of Least Charges
Evaluating Resonance Forms – The Rule Of Least Charges So far we’ve introduced resonance, and introduced the curved arrow formalism to show the movement of
Read moreHow To Find The Best Resonance Structure By Applying Electronegativity
Finding The Best (And Second-Best) Resonance Structures By Applying Electronegativity The last time I talked about evaluating resonance structures the molecules were, to be honest
Read moreEvaluating Resonance Structures With Negative Charges
Evaluating Resonance Structures With Negative Charges: Some Key Principles So far in discussing resonance forms we’ve mentioned two important principles that govern which resonance form
Read moreEvaluating Resonance Structures With Positive Charge
Resonance Structures With Positive Charge: Four Key Principles As I mentioned before, the resonance form(s) of lowest energy are those where the charges are minimized.
Read moreHidden Hydrogens, Hidden Lone Pairs, Hidden Counterions
Hidden Hydrogens, Lone Pairs, and Counter-Ions Time is precious. Drawing the full structures of chemical formulae out takes time. Shaving an extra 10-20 seconds here
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 moreLiAlH[Ot-Bu]3 For The Reduction of Acid Halides To Aldehydes
Reduction of Acid Halides To Aldehydes With LiAlH(OtBu)3 or Rosenmund’s Catalyst Acid halides can be reduced to aldehydes through use of the bulky reducing agent
Read moreReagent Friday: Potassium tert-butoxide [KOC(CH3)3]
Potassium tert-Butoxide (KOt-Bu) Is A Bulky Base In a blatant plug for the Reagent Guide and the Reagents App for iPhone, each Friday I profile a different reagent that
Read moreGuest post: “I went from being afraid of tests to actually looking forward to them”.
I love getting letters from people about their experiences with organic chemistry. I love it even more when they share some of the techniques and
Read moreReagent Friday: Sodium Periodate
Sodium Periodate, NaIO4 As A Reagent In Organic Chemistry In a blatant plug for the Reagent Guide and the Reagents App for iPhone, each Friday I profile a different
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