Organic Chemistry Software?

Started by omega_703
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My bf made his own Chemistry flashcards using Chemdraw and it worked really well for him. Other than that, I think traditional flashcards and plain practice are really good.
 
Eh, don't waste the money. Just check out an OChem book from the library or buy the course book ahead of time if the version will be the same.
 
I downloaded ChemSketch for free from the internet in order to draw structures within typed reports.... and it worked well... but otherwise, I didn't find software necessary.
 
Not only can you use chemdraw to just draw stuff, you can use chem draw to name almost any compound you can draw into it, and also it can predict H and C NMR signals for the molecule that you drew.
 
omega_703 said:
I'm planning on studying ahead for O. Chem during the summer and was wondering if anyone has ever tried using software.
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The best study aid for OChem is flash cards. Use them to learn each and every reaction. But be sure you know the REASON behind the reaction. Doing it rote is tricky.

I found it best to write down a reagent and condition on one side of the card and the product on the other. Practice learning them both ways. Oftentimes when you're tested, you're given a product and asked how to make it. You need to be able to backtrack (what makes phenol? what makes benzoic acid? etc.)

Best advice though is understand the concepts. Oftentimes the difference between those who find OChem incredibly hard and those that find it easy are whether or not you understand WHY things are happening rather than THAT they are happening.
 
ChemOffice is great. The company that sells the software gave away free demos when I was in college (they might still have the same program running). CO can draw just about any molecule and can then determine information about it---such as possible melting points. None of this information will actually ever help you in your organic chemistry classes---so stick with the book and use pen and paper to get the reactions down pat.
 
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