Organic problems contents
All chemists have done many more problems on paper than they have in the flask or the
test-tube - one of the things you learn when you do practical projects or research is that
it takes an enormous amount of time to elicit a very small piece of information.
To learn organic chemistry thoroughly I think there is no better way than doing lots of
problems. I used to do them on the train going in to University; they can be done
anywhere. Do as many as you can, as often as you can, and soon you will be able to do them
in your head. Then you will know the organic!
These problems (and I shall keep adding to them - please be patient) come from many
sources - books, examinations, ones of my own invention. Some I have been using for so
long that I cannot now remember their origins, but I am grateful to all those who invented
them in the first place. There is nothing much original here, just lots of practice.
Some tips:
- convert the prose question into a flowchart;
- often it makes sense to start at the end, since much information (for example on which
isomers are involved) frequently appears towards the end;
- always use structural formulae;
- always count the atoms to make sure you haven't made a silly error;
- don't commit too soon to a decision on the structures; I have seen many answers where
too early a commitment leads to a clear disregard later for the evidence in the question;
- don't look at the answer until you have solved the problem, or until you really
have exhausted all possible efforts;
- some of the problems intentionally use reactions that are not in the London
scheme. There is always enough information provided to bring them in to this scheme;
- do several a week (I know, there aren't enough here for that - not yet. They take an
amazing amount of time to write up. Find others.).
Organic problems contents
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