Suggestions How To Do Well In Organic Chemistry 2

Tips for doing well in Organic Chemistry?

I just got out of my last semester in organic chemistry! Pretty much, the course starts off with material from general chemistry such as molecular orbitals, lone pairs, lewis dot structures, acids and bases. It then introduces some basic function groups in organic chemistry, naming organic compounds, stereochemistry, isomers, etc. After this, you move on to basic reactions such as bromination, chlorination, Sn1, Sn2, E1, E2, and reactions of different functional groups. The rest of organic chemistry is pretty much reactions, except a few topics over useful ways to determine structures, such as IR spec, mass spec, and NMR analysis.

The one thing I can say is, if you start off strong, you'll get better. Work as many problems as possible, because you need to be able to predict what happens in what situation (such as, what is the most acidic proton in the structure, what resonance forms occur, etc.). Memorize the mechanics behind the reactions later on in the course and utilize them as much as you can! Don't study at the last minute unless you have a photographic memory, lol. I got an A- in both Organic Chemistry I and II, I wouldn't say it was too hard, but, I had to put a lot of effort in to succeed. If I didn't study last minute, those would have been easy A's. So you shouldn't worry!

As for preparation, I recommend going over Acids/Bases, Resonance, and Lewis Dot Structures. Researching a bit into organic acids and bases early on will do you well! Look up the inductive effect, and stereochemistry of cyclohexane, and just start studying it. Getting a head start is a great way to get started!

If you have any more questions, just IM me on yahoo!! :)

How much harder is Organic chemistry 2 than 1?

My peers and students that I've tutored generally agree with me that organic II is easier and more fun.

Like most subjects, is essential to have a deep understanding of the basic concepts in order to do well. Spend extra time on the stuff that is presented in the beginning of the chapter. Pay particular attention to the "basics." Review what you have learned, master the "easy" stuff. If you do that then the more advanced material will seem much more intuitive and natural. The rest of the course may even be easy.

If you were studying very hard and came out with a C last semester, is it possible that you could alter your study habits? Maybe you could focus on a different method of study.

Also, if you mess up on an exam, quiz or assignment don't let it get to you. I did quite poorly on several assignments despite a great effort and to my amazement then aced most exams without a tremendous ammont of effort. I think that what I put into the assignments that I didn't do well on just took a while to sink in. Not everyone has the same learning style.

Find what works for you. Some folks find that that their text book largely wastes time and their time is more well spent on studying lecture notes. That's how it was for me. ALWAYS take the best lecture notes possible - you never know how important they may end up being. Get ahold of your profs old exams if you can to get a feel for his exam style. Or maybe the textbook is better. Use all available resources but one should be more helpful than another.

Good luck with organic II! Try tutors, sample tests, class notes, textbook, study groups etc. Chances are you will find some tools more helpful to you than others.

There was more memorizing in organic than in other chemistry courses but understanding concepts is still more helpful than memorizing. I think it would be very hard to just rote memorize through organic.

I hope this is somewhat encouraging. I'm just saying that if for some reason things don't work out well at the beginning try your other options. And I would not be doing you a favor to tell you that organic II is easy. A lot of people flunk that course and have to take is several times before passing and that is why I'm writing so much about it. I hope that you do not have a ton of other hard classes to take along with organic II.

Should I take Organic Chemistry 1 and 2 at the same Time?

I don't think you will be allowed to register for Org. Chem 2 without first completing Org. Chem 1. Same applies to physics. You can't just skip ahead and take them together, that would be ridiculous. You need to complete 1 before you can complete 2.

But even if you COULD register for those 4 classes, you probably wouldn't be able to handle it. Nobody could juggle those four courses and maintain a decent GPA.

Studying for Organic Chemistry II Final Exam?

Any advice for reviewing for an Organic Chemistry II Final. Organic Chemistry II consists of more reactions and a lot of the material from OChem I as well. For the reactions, if I think about why each reagent is added and write out why it reacts the way it does, would this help me to recall the reactions better for the final? I'm determined to do well in this class in the end, and am willing to do whatever it takes. Any advice from past OChem. students would be helpful.

Thanks!

Anybody do well in organic chemistry?

organic chemistry is basically three parts

1) nomenclature
2) reactions
3) instrumental methods of analysis

Not sure if your on to part 3 yet... but the first two require memorization of rules and they require practice. One of my instructors once told a class I was TA'ing..."there are two kinds of people that pass organic chemistry. Those that study and those that are true geniuses. And the true geniuses know when to study"...that pretty much sums it up...right? Organic chemistry isn't something that you were born with. It is totally new to you and requires a lot of effort to learn.

Nomenclature is a language of its own and like any foreign language, it requires practice. learn the basic functional groups...alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, aldehydes, etc. start looking at everything you contact in your daily life. Shampoos, foods,etc and try picturing the molecules. look here on yahoo answers and try answering organic chemistry questions...google different compounds. look on chemical supply house websites (sigmaaldrich for example) and check out the names. practice..

reactions... there are several standard reactions by functional group. memorize those reactions by name and the mechanism. Then memorize the factors that affect the reaction. stearic hinderance for example, 1°,2°, or 3°, etc... and practice. google the reactions and check out some of the other web sites for explanations.

instrumental methods of analysis... there are several major ones. FTIR, NMR, GC/MS.. google them learn how they work and why... look at as many spectra and molecular formula as you can find and try to understand why.

Ask questions here and in your TA's office. Get into a study group.