In this next series of posts we are going to discuss the reactions of alcohols. As a functional group, alcohols are introduced fairly early in organic chemistry. Their reactions, however, are usually not covered until near the end of Org 1 - at least after subjects like substitution and … [Read more...]
Polar Protic? Polar Aprotic? Nonpolar? All About Solvents
A lot of students I talk to have questions about solvents, so I've decided to put together a reference post on them. Solvents can cause considerable confusion in reactions, because they're listed along with the reagents of a reaction but often don't actually participate in the reaction itself. … [Read more...]
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 all the key points discussed in this post) Download MOC Boiling Point Handout (PDF) Figuring out the order of boiling points is … [Read more...]
Meet the (Most Important) Functional Groups
Functional groups are specific groupings of atoms within molecules that have their own characteristic properties, regardless of the other atoms present in a molecule. Common examples are alcohols, amines, carboxylic acids, ketones, and ethers. In a typical sophomore organic chemistry course, … [Read more...]
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 forces - forces between molecules, as opposed to intramolecular forces - forces within a molecule. ) It all flows from this … [Read more...]
Keto-Enol Tautomerism: Key Points
Aldehydes and ketones are somewhat lycanthropic chemical species. Take acetone. It behaves as a garden-variety polar aprotic solvent, which makes it a useful medium for SN2 reactions; it reacts readily with nucleophiles like enolates, Grignards, and amines; and is several pKa units less acidic … [Read more...]