Desperately need help!

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I cannot seem to find the answer to this anywhere so if anyone could help me I would be so appreciative! I cannot seem to figure out how to read a condensed chemical reaction (where there is one reactant listed, and one or more compounds on top of the arrow and below the arrow). How do you read an equation such as this? Please Help!

 

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Someone please help!

 

[achirum]

Can you post an example, I don't quite get what you are asking.

Edit: Oh I see what you are saying. What problems are you having in reading it? Kind of like if you were reacting say:

COOH {{{CH3-O-H {{{{{COOCH3
{{{{{{{ ---------->

Reactant {{{{{{{{{{{{{{Product

 

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I'm having problems with reading reactions. For example:
-some are reactant --> product [but with a molecule on top of the arrow and a molecule below the arrow]
-others are reactant --> product [but with a 1) molecule on top of the arrow and a 2) molecule below the arrow]
-also, some molecules on top/below the arrow have a comma.

Initially, I thought everything above and below the arrow were just catalysts...and did not appear in the products.
But, reviewing organic chem textbook, I find many are in the product. Basically, I just need to know how to read the reaction.

If they are numbered, does the reactant react with 1) first, to get an intermediate, and then does the intermediate react with 2) ? And what if they are not numbered, how does this work?

Your reply would be so much appreciated right now. I write on Tuesday, and this is a huge part of organic chemistry that I cannot seem to find the answer to anywhere. It almost seems like the reactions are condensed to save room maybe?

 

[jc812]

I THINK I know what you're referring to. It could be one of a few things.

I guess I'm too late.. but it doesn't hurt to add something.

http://www2.bioch.ox.ac.uk/~oubsu/schools/reactionscheme.gif

Referring to the above, on the second reaction, there is a molecule above the arrow, then catalyst below the arrow.

http://www.organic-chemistry.org/namedreactions/Wittig1.gif

Referring to the above, BOTH molecules are needed for the reaction to complete.

http://www.organic-chemistry.org/abstracts/literature/133a.gif

Referring to the above (which I think was your question) is a synthesis question. It reacts with the 1) molecule, product forms. Then react with 2) molecule, product forms. This is your synthesis problem, and they will condense the long reaction into one.