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Organic chemistry can be one of the most challenging components of the DAT exam, particularly for students who did not build a strong OChem foundation during college.
When revisiting organic chemistry during DAT study, spend extra time on the foundational concepts underlying the favorability of organic reactions. Learning such concepts will help you to minimize your reliance on memorization and may even enable you to predict the products of unfamiliar reactions. Some of the most important concepts to keep in mind during your study involve:
- Electronic effects: Electron deficient species (electrophiles) are attracted to electron rich species (nucleophiles). Charge distribution within a molecule determines which species or atoms are most electrophilic or nucleophilic, and charge distribution depends on:
o Inductive effects: More electronegative atoms will pull electron density away from less electronegative atoms. (Note: electronegativity increases going up and to the right on the periodic table.)
o Resonance effects: Resonance helps to stabilize positive and negative charges.
- Steric effects: Atoms crowded together experience unfavorable steric hindrance, which may prevent certain reactions or mechanisms.
- Solvent effects: Protic solvents will often shield charges in solution, which in some cases may block reactants but can also promote certain reactions—for instance, by stabilizing a charged intermediate.
One-on-one tutoring with experienced tutors can help you to master such concepts and to make sense of organic chemistry reactions. For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit https://nextsteptestprep.com/dat-tutoring/.
When revisiting organic chemistry during DAT study, spend extra time on the foundational concepts underlying the favorability of organic reactions. Learning such concepts will help you to minimize your reliance on memorization and may even enable you to predict the products of unfamiliar reactions. Some of the most important concepts to keep in mind during your study involve:
- Electronic effects: Electron deficient species (electrophiles) are attracted to electron rich species (nucleophiles). Charge distribution within a molecule determines which species or atoms are most electrophilic or nucleophilic, and charge distribution depends on:
o Inductive effects: More electronegative atoms will pull electron density away from less electronegative atoms. (Note: electronegativity increases going up and to the right on the periodic table.)
o Resonance effects: Resonance helps to stabilize positive and negative charges.
- Steric effects: Atoms crowded together experience unfavorable steric hindrance, which may prevent certain reactions or mechanisms.
- Solvent effects: Protic solvents will often shield charges in solution, which in some cases may block reactants but can also promote certain reactions—for instance, by stabilizing a charged intermediate.
One-on-one tutoring with experienced tutors can help you to master such concepts and to make sense of organic chemistry reactions. For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit https://nextsteptestprep.com/dat-tutoring/.
