sigma and pi bonds (no alkenes): what does this mean!?

[dochoov]

---

Members do not see this ad.

In the AAMC's study guide, http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/topics.pdf , they say, at the beginning of the organic chemistry sections,

"The Covalent Bond
1. sigma and pi bonds (no alkenes) "

Why the exclusion of alkenes? Does that mean that we should understand pi bonds only in alkynes?

 

[dr.kicia]

In the AAMC's study guide, http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/topics.pdf , they say, at the beginning of the organic chemistry sections,

"The Covalent Bond
1. sigma and pi bonds (no alkenes) "

Why the exclusion of alkenes? Does that mean that we should understand pi bonds only in alkynes?

benzene and aromatic compounds...would be a good guess, since they do have pi and sigma bonds but are special and do not behave like alkenes (e- are delocalized which makes benzene unusually stable).
Remeber also that there are other elements in organic compounds that can pi and sigma bond to the 'C' or to other things (like N for example).

 

[DrBowtie]

It means know the concept of pi and sigma bonds like how many are in alkanes, alkenes, alkynes.

No alkenes refers to atleast on my test form that there won't be any alkene reactions/mechanism etc.

 

[dochoov]

Good point. How ignorant of my to forget aromatic compounds/compounds with non carbon-carbon bonds :/

It's interesting that they specifically exclude alkenes. Now that I think about it, I've seen questions on an AAMC practice test that dealt specifically with the production and possible subsequent reactions of an alkene.

Also, they expect you to understand the metabolism of fatty acids, which includes an enzyme catalyzed addition reaction to a double bond.

Maybe this is a new standard by the AAMC? No more alkene reactions for the MCAT?

 

[Beau Geste]

Good point. How ignorant of my to forget aromatic compounds/compounds with non carbon-carbon bonds :/

It's interesting that they specifically exclude alkenes. Now that I think about it, I've seen questions on an AAMC practice test that dealt specifically with the production and possible subsequent reactions of an alkene.

Also, they expect you to understand the metabolism of fatty acids, which includes an enzyme catalyzed addition reaction to a double bond.

Maybe this is a new standard by the AAMC? No more alkene reactions for the MCAT?

That's too bad because some of the easiest reactions are alkene hydrogenations!

 

[dochoov]

*sniffle