Memorizing OC reactions HELP

[ksksks]

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Hey guys

I really hate memorizing the reactions for some reason, I love studying everything else, but I just can't seem to hold onto the reactions in my brain. I would remember it one day, but completely blank the other..

Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[polarmolar]

Note cards are simple and they work great.

Look at them when you wake up and before going to sleep, and do it everyday since your having trouble keeping them fresh.

 

[plaier]

First of all, U need to know SN1, SN2, E1 and E2 completely.
most of reactions in OCHEM is based on those mechanisms.
then, you will know more than half of products without memorizing the individual reactions.
ex)William ether synthesis is SN2, tosylate substitution is also SN2. If you know SN2 completely, you will know these kinds of reactions without memorizing it

there are some harder reactions like michael addition, aldol condensation. etc. these are more complicated.(these reactions also use SN1, SN2,E2, E1 plus other mechanisms such as enolate, alpha hydrogen, etc.) you should memory them. However, you dont even have to memory these complicated reactions if you know all the mechanisms.


**Understanding mechanisms is much harder, but you won't forget it.
**Memorizing reactions is much easier, but you will forget them easily.

Therefore, complete understanding on E1,E2,SN1,SN2. it will help yoo alot on simple reactions. then you will have less reactions to memorize

 

[Mrbubbles]

First of all, U need to know SN1, SN2, E1 and E2 completely.
most of reactions in OCHEM is based on those mechanisms.
then, you will know more than half of products without memorizing the individual reactions.
ex)William ether synthesis is SN2, tosylate substitution is also SN2. If you know SN2 completely, you will know these kinds of reactions without memorizing it

there are some harder reactions like michael addition, aldol condensation. etc. these are more complicated.(these reactions also use SN1, SN2,E2, E1 plus other mechanisms such as enolate, alpha hydrogen, etc.) you should memory them. However, you dont even have to memory these complicated reactions if you know all the mechanisms.


**Understanding mechanisms is much harder, but you won't forget it.
**Memorizing reactions is much easier, but you will forget them easily.

Therefore, complete understanding on E1,E2,SN1,SN2. it will help yoo alot on simple reactions. then you will have less reactions to memorize

soooo true... if only i had knew that the first time i had taken my test, i would have done so well...

anywya, once u nail those concepts (e1, e2 etc), MOST of the mechanisms are VERY similar depending on the substrates (heat, h202, kmn04).. once u've done a lot of practice problems (u should use destroyer or kaplan), u will see a pattern..good luck!

 

[drpsuedonym]

Just keep memorizing them. I had a couple of pages with all the reactions sorted by functionality, and I had a hard time memorizing them because I would just read it over and over but that's not the same thing as memorizing. Reading is a very passive process, memorizing is active, so you need to make sure you're actually memorizing not just reading.

 

[doc3232]

First of all, U need to know SN1, SN2, E1 and E2 completely.
most of reactions in OCHEM is based on those mechanisms.
then, you will know more than half of products without memorizing the individual reactions.
ex)William ether synthesis is SN2, tosylate substitution is also SN2. If you know SN2 completely, you will know these kinds of reactions without memorizing it

there are some harder reactions like michael addition, aldol condensation. etc. these are more complicated.(these reactions also use SN1, SN2,E2, E1 plus other mechanisms such as enolate, alpha hydrogen, etc.) you should memory them. However, you dont even have to memory these complicated reactions if you know all the mechanisms.


**Understanding mechanisms is much harder, but you won't forget it.
**Memorizing reactions is much easier, but you will forget them easily.

Therefore, complete understanding on E1,E2,SN1,SN2. it will help yoo alot on simple reactions. then you will have less reactions to memorize

soooo true... if only i had knew that the first time i had taken my test, i would have done so well...

anywya, once u nail those concepts (e1, e2 etc), MOST of the mechanisms are VERY similar depending on the substrates (heat, h202, kmn04).. once u've done a lot of practice problems (u should use destroyer or kaplan), u will see a pattern..good luck!

I completely agree.
And IMO, you need a class O-chem book to do this. But you will be able to rock the O-chem section once you understand it.

 

[Chesnok]

I was happy to memorize reactions but NOT the mechanisms for over 200 reactions 😉

 

[Maygyver]

Most of the reactions follow similar mechanisms. I assume you have already taken Ochem and realize the easiest way to do well is to learn the concepts and not just memorize reaction after reaction.