Ochem woes

[NuckingFutz]

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So i've been going through the Ochem section in the Kaplan bluebook (3/5 done) and I am completely overwhelmed at the amount of reactions there are. I've gone and taken a quick go through on the Ochem Destroyer and got completely obliterated (10 out of 10 wrong ) It just seems so hopeless to me because there's just so much to learn about.

I know that people say that you need to see the "bigger picture" but I guess I don't know where to begin with that in mind. I know that reagents such as KMn04 oxidizes reactants, but whenever I look through the Destroyer I am completely blown away by all the sheer complexities of the problems 😕

Whenever I feel as though I have the right answer, I go and check only to find that there was some crazy exception or rule for that particular reactant leaving me frustrated.

One problem I have with Kaplan's Ochem section is that it's to vague in its explanations. For example, it says that acyl halides can be formed by adding RCOOH + SOCl2, PCl3 or PCl5, or PBr3 but doesn't really explain WHY those reagents. Thus I have to go and just try and memorize it without any real understanding.

I would greatly appreciated any insight or tips people may have since LOTS of people seem to do really well on the ochem section of the DAT

 

[americanpierg]

So i've been going through the Ochem section in the Kaplan bluebook (3/5 done) and I am completely overwhelmed at the amount of reactions there are. I've gone and taken a quick go through on the Ochem Destroyer and got completely obliterated (10 out of 10 wrong ) It just seems so hopeless to me because there's just so much to learn about.

I know that people say that you need to see the "bigger picture" but I guess I don't know where to begin with that in mind. I know that reagents such as KMn04 oxidizes reactants, but whenever I look through the Destroyer I am completely blown away by all the sheer complexities of the problems 😕

Whenever I feel as though I have the right answer, I go and check only to find that there was some crazy exception or rule for that particular reactant leaving me frustrated.

One problem I have with Kaplan's Ochem section is that it's to vague in its explanations. For example, it says that acyl halides can be formed by adding RCOOH + SOCl2, PCl3 or PCl5, or PBr3 but doesn't really explain WHY those reagents. Thus I have to go and just try and memorize it without any real understanding.

I would greatly appreciated any insight or tips people may have since LOTS of people seem to do really well on the ochem section of the DAT

Well Kaplan is just a review book, not a textbook. Have you take Ochem yet? If not, I'd suggest just memorizing all the reactions rather than understanding it. It makes it easier for some reactions, such as why ketones and carboxylic acids form different products than aldehydes, but for most its just pure memorization anyways.

 

[Jaba]

Well Kaplan is just a review book, not a textbook. Have you take Ochem yet? If not, I'd suggest just memorizing all the reactions rather than understanding it. It makes it easier for some reactions, such as why ketones and carboxylic acids form different products than aldehydes, but for most its just pure memorization anyways.

yup....

BIG BIG BIG advice.... buy the orgo reactions from Science Aide (not spamming), but those are really great IMO.

 

[NuckingFutz]

Well Kaplan is just a review book, not a textbook. Have you take Ochem yet? If not, I'd suggest just memorizing all the reactions rather than understanding it. It makes it easier for some reactions, such as why ketones and carboxylic acids form different products than aldehydes, but for most its just pure memorization anyways.

I actually have taken Ochem already (2 years ago) but did pretty poorly in it (C+ and B- in orgo I and II). I can see how ketones and carboxylic acids form products different from aldehydes, but I also want to understand the reason behind it. I feel like i'm on the verge of getting it, but its still a bit confusing. I know that the product will be different if it takes place in a base or acid, but I know that there are exceptions (say for example it takes place in a weak acid instead of a strong one). That's what i'm trying to understand.

I recall ketones and carboxylic acids being protonated in a strong acid solution. Is it because the acid dissociates giving the O atom a hydrogen? What happens in a basic solution in that case? It's these type of concepts i'm trying to grasp.

Overall, after taking a look at destroyer and its explanations, I feel pretty crushed

I'm more confident in the gchem sections and ESPECIALLY the bio section. 😳

 

[Maygyver]

I actually have taken Ochem already (2 years ago) but did pretty poorly in it (C+ and B- in orgo I and II). I can see how ketones and carboxylic acids form products different from aldehydes, but I also want to understand the reason behind it. I feel like i'm on the verge of getting it, but its still a bit confusing. I know that the product will be different if it takes place in a base or acid, but I know that there are exceptions (say for example it takes place in a weak acid instead of a strong one). That's what i'm trying to understand.

I recall ketones and carboxylic acids being protonated in a strong acid solution. Is it because the acid dissociates giving the O atom a hydrogen? What happens in a basic solution in that case? It's these type of concepts i'm trying to grasp.

Overall, after taking a look at destroyer and its explanations, I feel pretty crushed

I'm more confident in the gchem sections and ESPECIALLY the bio section. 😳

I did very well in organic chemistry (all A's) and I find the easiest way to learn the reactions is to learn them in groups and not memorize them. Understand the mechanisms. Once you get a general mechanism down the rest is very easy. For example, instead of just memorizing all the reactions with carbonyls, understand the types of attacks that can happen such as 1,4 or 1,2 additions and then you can apply that to the indivual reagents. I used the Janice Smith Organic Chemistry book. I would suggest finding a text book if you are having that much trouble with it because the reactions will be groups in a way that you can UNDERSTAND them and not just memorize. I think too many people simply try to memorize organic reactions and that is why they find it so hard because there are alot of reactions but there are alot less if you generalize them. Hope this helps. PM me if you have any questions and I can try to help.

 

[joshmonsta]

I did pretty bad in my Ochem class too (practically failed). What is helping me out now is to write out the reactions and their exceptions. Just keep pluging away and it will eventually fall into place.

 

[billythekid]

If I were you, I would use my textbook. When you have a question about KMnO4 or other exceptions, just look them up in your textbook for further explanation. It will refresh your memory since you took Ochem 2 years ago.

Also, I don't think it matters that you got a B+/C-, because only a basic understanding is needed. I hope that helps.

 

[DRHOYA]

What helps me is first reading through Kaplan to learn the theories behind mechanisms. Then supplement that by going through the destroyer problems. When there is a rxn question in destroyer that is multiple steps, what I do is cover up all the answer choices, and draw out each step of the rxn on my own......arrive at an answer, and then look to see if it if a choice. Writing them out helps alot.

 

[Chga]

For anyone struggling in Orgo i highly suggest you buy this book
http://www.mhhe.com/sem/OrganicChem/smithorganic/index.html
I used it for ochem 1, the way that author explains concepts is just awesome.
Unfortunately i had a diff book for Ochem 2. (it become clear to me why ochem is hard for some people)

 

[sl2obel2ts]

buy schaum's outline of ochem. i used that for oc 🙂

 

[Maygyver]

For anyone struggling in Orgo i highly suggest you buy this book
http://www.mhhe.com/sem/OrganicChem/smithorganic/index.html
I used it for ochem 1, the way that author explains concepts is just awesome.
Unfortunately i had a diff book for Ochem 2. (it become clear to me why ochem is hard for some people)

Same book I used. VERY nice book.

 

[Thundercatz]

Once you realize that carbonyl groups are virtually pretty much the same, you see that there arent many reactions you have to memorize.

 

[NuckingFutz]

Thanks for the advice guys 😀

After studying all day I think I have a better grasp on the material. Whenever I see the lewis structure of the compound and observe the reactions that take place, I find it makes a lot more sense. I think I'll just need to spend more time looking this over.

Unfortunately, I have my test in ~ 16 days and I haven't even started looking over my QR, RC or PAT yet so I don't know if I'll be able to have everything ready come test day I wanted to take nothing but practice tests on the week before, but at this point I may have to make a compromise 😱

But just for the record, how do you guys work your way through the ochem section on the DAT (for reactions). Do you just look at the functional group and the reagent and try and piece it all together by looking at the answers? Or do you actually quickly do the steps out in your head 😕

 

[sl2obel2ts]

don't take it if you are not ready. postpone it.

Thanks for the advice guys 😀

After studying all day I think I have a better grasp on the material. Whenever I see the lewis structure of the compound and observe the reactions that take place, I find it makes a lot more sense. I think I'll just need to spend more time looking this over.

Unfortunately, I have my test in ~ 16 days and I haven't even started looking over my QR, RC or PAT yet so I don't know if I'll be able to have everything ready come test day I wanted to take nothing but practice tests on the week before, but at this point I may have to make a compromise 😱

But just for the record, how do you guys work your way through the ochem section on the DAT (for reactions). Do you just look at the functional group and the reagent and try and piece it all together by looking at the answers? Or do you actually quickly do the steps out in your head 😕