Need advice for ochem 2 mechanisms

[Dark Ace]

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Hi everyone,

The first time I took ochem 2 I got a C. I'm currently retaking and I just had my first midterm and got a C again despite really working hard. It seems like the most points I lost were on mechanisms which I don't really understand how to study for besides memorization or pattern recognition.

I still have a fair shot at improving my grade to an A. So I'm just wondering if there is anyone out there who aced ochem 2 including the mechanisms. Do you have any advice for me?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Draw them out and try to understand the basic principles, ie what usually leaves and what usually happens. Also get a tutor potentially.

 

[rzoo14]

Do as many practice problems as you can possibly find. Ochem is a pain in the ass until you figure out that almost every mechanism/synthesis is similar in nature. Once you do enough of them, you'll start seeing things in a more clear way.

 

[DavetheMD]

How'd you perform in Ochem 1? Is it limited to Ochem 2, or have you always struggled with mechanisms?

 

[QualityProcess]

Check out youtube. There's a member called Freelance Teacher that puts up great free videos, and requests donations if you have money. I'm not sure if Khan Academy does organic chemistry, but google that name as well. 👍

 

[gmcguitar4]

It is critical that you have your knowledge of acids/bases down and the basic mechanisms from ochem1. A majority of the mechanisms in ochem2 are the same exact ****, just different stuff you are messing with. It is KEY, to do every single practice problem and attend lectures. Practice is the main thing though. I got A+ both ochems from getting this down.

 

[Dark Ace]

How'd you perform in Ochem 1? Is it limited to Ochem 2, or have you always struggled with mechanisms?

Got a B in ochem 1 which is not great either, but my prof then didn't go too deep into mechanisms.

Does anyone know of any place on the web where I can find a "mechanism encyclopedia" for ochem2? That would be really helpful.

Thanks for all your input.

 

[QualityProcess]

Does anyone know of any place on the web where I can find a "mechanism encyclopedia" for ochem2? That would be really helpful.

its probably out there somewhere, but it'd be a challenge to find a free one.

 

[deleted357625]

message me your email and I'll send you some notes that are helpful

 

[DavetheMD]

Http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0387954686

Sort of a grad level book, but pretty awesome. I'd also recommend going over both David Kleins Second language books, the first step to writing a mechanism is knowing what the hell reacted.

 

[rzoo14]

Got a B in ochem 1 which is not great either, but my prof then didn't go too deep into mechanisms.

Does anyone know of any place on the web where I can find a "mechanism encyclopedia" for ochem2? That would be really helpful.

Thanks for all your input.

Try zadefaraj.com. Its a website this alumni (who is in dental school now) created and maintains for the purpose of helping undergrads at our university. It has a good amount of practice problems with solutions.

Good luck!

 

[hereitgoesagain]

kahn academy has some really, really impressive and useful videos for organic chemistry. I also found "Idiot's Guide to Organic Chemistry" type books to be pretty helpful in getting the basics down cold.

 

[dudeliness]

I agree that practice is the key. Pretty much any O-Chem textbook will give you the needed mechanisms and explain what is reacting with what, and there are usually a lot of end of chapter problems. Do them all, use a solutions manual if needed, then do them again a day or two later without the solutions manual. Write out your own list of the different types of reactions and draw an example mechanism for each, thus making your own comprehensive guide to the mechanisms. This repetition is pretty much the key. There aren't really shortcuts. Good luck

 

[orgohacks]

Got a B in ochem 1 which is not great either, but my prof then didn't go too deep into mechanisms.

Does anyone know of any place on the web where I can find a "mechanism encyclopedia" for ochem2? That would be really helpful.

Thanks for all your input.

Something like this?
http://masterorganicchemistry.com/reaction-guide

 

[beckson]

Do not try to memorize anything in Orgo to. You have to understand how it works. Once you grasp the concept you will excel

 

[Dark Ace]

Very helpful responses from everyone! thanks guys!

Something like this?
http://masterorganicchemistry.com/reaction-guide

YES 👍 thank you

 

[411309]

also if you're willing to throw down some money i found jcoreview to be very useful for orgo

 

[kevnm67]

Check out youtube. There's a member called Freelance Teacher that puts up great free videos, and requests donations if you have money. I'm not sure if Khan Academy does organic chemistry, but google that name as well. 👍

2nd that...freelance teachers videos are great!

A book I found helpful was "organic as a second language." I never used my class book. This book, lecture notes, and lots of practice. I started by building a solid foundation and applied it to every mechanism. Try not to see them as completely independent, they are not. And don't just memorize mechanisms. There can be many different reagents, some of which you may not necessarily recognize, and you'll be lost when trying to solve multi-step synthesis problems. I probably have some worksheets saved if your interested and let me know if you have some specific questions, ill be happy to try to help you out.

Also, I found it helpful to work backwards when solving multi-step synthesis problems.

 

[Dark Ace]

Well, it seems like I aced my 2nd midterm. 👍👍 Not a huge deal though considering this is a retake. And there is no telling if I will ace the rest of the exams yet. But I still want to thank each and everyone of you on this thread for helping me out. You guys are my sdn friends now!

 

[drshark]

make sure not to memorize, understand the actual concept behind the mechanism, know why and what attacks what. And make sure to look first if it is basic or acidic conditions because there can never be an O- in acidic conditions... so that's how you can figure out if the carbonyl is being attacked or whether the oxygen on the carbonyl is doing the attacking.. its all about electronegativities/acid base chemistry. Goodluck 🙂