Do we have to know specific names for reactions for orgo?

[brood910]

I actually know what is going on when I see compounds and stuff.. But I do not know the names of the specific reaction that is happening.
For example, I cant just remember what "Oxymercuration-Demercuration" is, but when I see compounds + reagents, I know what the product will be.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

I actually know what is going on when I see compounds and stuff.. But I do not know the names of the specific reaction that is happening.
For example, I cant just remember what "Oxymercuration-Demercuration" is, but when I see compounds + reagents, I know what the product will be.

YES! You should start by looking at the AAMC list of topics to know the reactions you are expected to know by name. And don't worry about oxymercuration-demercuration, because alkene chemistry is not tested (except for a couple biochemistry reactions, Hofmann elimination, and possibly electrocylcic chemistry).

 

[brood910]

YES! You should start by looking at the AAMC list of topics to know the reactions you are expected to know by name. And don't worry about oxymercuration-demercuration, because alkene chemistry is not tested (except for a couple biochemistry reactions, Hofmann elimination, and possibly electrocylcic chemistry).

OMG seriously?
I have to know all those NAMES of the reactions!?
I thought I just needed to know their mechanisms + products..

 

[eleveneleven]

I agree that's it's probably a good idea to know the names of the most fundamental reactions, especially those listed on the AAMC list. I wouldn't put it against them to ask "This reaction can be qualified as a...." as a discrete.

 

[BABSstudent]

I actually know what is going on when I see compounds and stuff.. But I do not know the names of the specific reaction that is happening.
For example, I cant just remember what "Oxymercuration-Demercuration" is, but when I see compounds + reagents, I know what the product will be.

Well, this isn't a fill in the blank test. If you can remember part of the name you should be fine.

I will also say, IMO, that the test tends to focus more on redox chemistry.

 

[MedWonk]

I actually know what is going on when I see compounds and stuff.. But I do not know the names of the specific reaction that is happening.
For example, I cant just remember what "Oxymercuration-Demercuration" is, but when I see compounds + reagents, I know what the product will be.

You should know the names. It's possible you could get a discrete question that asks you what the product is when you perform some reaction on some compound, and it'll be without the aid of a mechanism. It's also possible to get a mechanism and then they'll ask you what the name of the reaction is. Most of the time, you'll be asked about redox and tautomerization, but I would be familiar with the names of the rxns.