1. Learning organic chemistry is like learning a new language. With a new language comes a new way of speaking and a new way of writing. In organic chemistry we communicate with lines and letters.
2. How to draw bonds
   1. Bonds are represented by lines. One line is a single bond, two lines is a double bond and three lines is a triple bond
      

      Bond	Drawing
      Single
      Double
      Triple

   1. Bonds may be in a variety of different planes
      

      Drawing	Representation
      	Drawn to represent a bond within same plane as the computer screen or paper
      	Drawn to represent a bond coming out of the plane of the computer screen or paper. In essence this bond is pointing toward you.
      	Drawn to represent a bond going into the plane of the computer screen or paper. In essence this bond is pointing away from you.

3. General rules of drawing in orgo using the “Line-Angle Formula”
   1. General Rule #1:
      1. Anytime there is a line drawn, the atom at each end is a carbon unless otherwise indicated.
      2. The appropriate number of hydrogens are attached to it and implied even though they may not be drawn
      3. For example, each of these three are equivalent depictions of the same compound:
         

         Condensed Formula	Conventional Structure Drawing	Line-Angle Formula Drawing
         CH3CH3

         Looking at this Line-Angle Formula drawing we see a line. Each end of the line has a carbon. Since the carbons are connected by a single bond, each carbon has three hydrogens attached to it.

   2. General Rule #2:
      1. Each carbon molecule may accommodate four “things” attached to it via a single bond. If there is a double bond that counts as two “things” if there is a triple bond that counts as three “things”
      2. So what about this molecule:

      

      Letís start by circling all the lines:
      

      Well, there are three lines, right? Each positioned at an angle to one another to indicate that there is a new carbon at that joint.
      So the following two images are equivalent:

      Conventional Structure Drawing	Line-Angle Formula Drawing

For practice on this subject try out our exercise set at:

We get asked this question often. Students who would like to enter health fields will invariably take both of these courses. While General Chemistry is taught in high school, time dedicated to the “organic chemistry” field is usually brief and often not mentioned at all. So why is it that you spend two entire semesters studying both!?

Big Picture:

General Chemistry: the study inorganic compounds (in general those without carbon)

Organic Chemistry: the study of organic compounds (in general those with carbon)

In general, many university level general chemistry courses will cover the following topics over the span of two semesters:

• atomic structure
• the periodic table of elements
• bonding
• study of compounds, moles and molar mass
• stoichiometry
• kinetics, thermodynamics and equilibrium
• ideal gas law
• chemical phases: solid, liquid, gas
• molarity and molality
• redox reactions
• acid – base chemistry
• nuclear chemistry

By studying these areas within general chemistry you learn to understand and appreciate  ionic compounds, salts and minerals. You also can gain an appreciation for some of the theory and applications in industry and technology.

So what about organic chemistry? Why spend an entire year learning about carbon?!?

Carbon containing compounds are the gateway to life.

In general, many university level organic chemistry courses will cover the following topics over the span of two semesters:

• atomic structure, nomenclature and resonance
• structural formulas, hybridization and molecular shapes
• stereochemistry
• structure and conformation of alkanes
• alkyl halides
• nucleophilic substitution
• elimination
• alkanes
• alkenes
• alkynes
• alcohols
• gringard reagents
• ethers
• epoxides
• conjugated systems
• aromatic compounds
• aldehydes, ketones and amines
• carboxylic acids and their derivatives
• amino acids, proteins and carbohydrates
• laboratory methods such as spectroscopy

By studying these areas within organic chemistry one can have an appreciation for living organisms and the basis for life. One can also gain an understanding for organic chemistry contributions to health, medicine and pharmacology.

In organic chemistry we use the term leaving group to refer to a portion of a reactant that will depart the rest of the molecule as a result of reacting with another reagent. This occurs often in organic chemistry reactions. Notably in substitution and elimination reactions.

For example in the following SN2 reaction:
CH3CH2Br + ¯OH/DMF → CH3CH2OH
The leaving group is the Br. This is easy to notice because it has “left” the main reactant: CH3CH2Br                                                                           Now OH is in the place of the Br hence this is a substitution reaction.

Common questions and answers:

#1
So what makes a good leaving group “good”?
Answer: weak bases make good leaving groups

#2
What are some examples of good leaving groups?
Answer:
-OTS (tosylate)
-I
-Br
-Cl

Q&A from our students:

Question: What are primary, secondary and tertiary carbons? I know that sounds like a basic questions, but were just beginning to learn about alkanes and stuff and I don’t get it. Thanks.

Answer: It is a great questions and we’re am happy you asked because there are a lot of students who are confused about this subject. Let’s try to clear the air. Because here at StudyOrgo.com – we love to clear the air and make things easy!

We use the terms primary, secondary, and tertiary to refer to the substitution level that a given carbon has in a molecule. In other words, these terms are used to describe how many other carbons a given carbon is attached to.

So to figure out the substitution level of any given carbon, follow these three easy steps:

Step #1: Pick a carbon

Step #2: Count how many carbons are directly attached to it. Other elements such as hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen etc. don’t count.

Step #3: Give it a label:

• Primary = a carbon attached to only ONE other carbon
• Secondary  = a carbon attached to only TWO other carbons
• Tertiary = a carbon attached to THREE other carbons

In the below example each carbon is color coded using the labels in step #3 above.

Go ahead give it a try!

OK- now bear in mind that hydrogens attached to a given carbon ALSO take on the labels as described in step #3 above.

So we can apply the same principle to the hydrogens:

• Primary = a hydrogen on a carbon attached to only ONE other carbon
• Secondary  = a hydrogen on a carbon attached to only TWO other carbons
• Tertiary = a hydrogen on a carbon attached to THREE other carbons

For more on mastering alkanes and reactions, use coupon code “acespring” to save 10% off the highest pass rate organic chemistry program.

You may submit a question to our experts by filling out the form HERE.

You’re question may be answered in an upcoming blog posting!

We are frequently asked for tips on how approach alcohol oxidation reaction. At first glance these reactions appear challenging. In order to simplify things, consider these general guidelines when thinking about alcohol oxidation reactions:

General Rule #1
You can think of oxidation as being on a spectrum: moving from alcohol to aldehyde or ketone to carboxylic acid. The more you oxidize the further along you go.

General Rule #2
Primary alcohols can be oxidized to aldehydes or all the way to carboxylic acids. This depends on the reagent. Please see General Rule #5.

General Rule #3
Secondary alcohols are oxidized to ketones.

General Rule #4
Tertiary alcohols are extremely resistant to oxidation. Therefore, in general- tertiary alcohols do not undergo oxidation.

General Rule #5
Certain reagents will promote oxidation of primary alcohols to different extents.
The following tend to promote the fullest extent of oxidation possible
Na2Cr2O7,H2SO4
Na2Cr2O7, CrO3/H2SO4
CrO3/H2SO4, acetone
KMnO4

However, the following reagent will typically only promote oxidation of primary alcohols to an aldehyde.
PCC (pyridinium chlorochromate)

However, all of the above will allow secondary alcohols to form ketones