Comments on: Where Memorization Helps in O-Chem

By: Katlego

Katlego — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 14:08:23 +0000

I think that memorization matters very much, in addition to understanding concepts, depending on the way in which your organic chemistry is being evaluated. For instance, at my school nearly one third of the evaluation consists in filling in the blanks. Essentially you are given either a starting material and reagents then asked to predict the product or given a product and arrow then asked predict the starting material and reagents. Because each reaction is worth seven marks, grading is very specific: the solvent, reagent, in some cases temperature and other conditions must be correct/in accordance to what was presented in lecture or textbook. Likewise, marks can be deducted for not specifying if the reagents operate in the same step or not, and detailing conditions such as wether the reaction occurs in excess reagent or in reflux. Although it helps to understand the mechanisms, on these questions no amount of thinking will help you determine that reduction with DIBALH in acetone occurs at -78C and not -88C or -68C. Nonetheless there are more interesting questions such as drawing mechanisms and predicting relative stability – but they only constitute two thirds of our evaluations. Likewise synthesis requires both knowledge of the reactions (none of which are provided) and understanding of their uses and limitations.

By: red dragon

red dragon — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 07:23:12 +0000

This is great advice I’ve done most of what you have suggested. Except I am having a difficult time remembering what reagent is for what. Any advice.

By: james

james — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 13:04:38 +0000

In reply to Brett Reynolds. Hey Brett! nice to hear from you. I downloaded Anki and have started to use it for language learning. I looked into organic chemistry and it has some sections on functional groups and other topics, for those interested.

By: Brett Reynolds

Brett Reynolds — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 22:43:35 +0000

Hi, James! My brother, Michael, pointed me to your site. When you’re looking at vocabulary memorization (“paired associate learning”), there’s a good deal research into how to do that well. A lot of it has been rolled into a free website called Anki http://ankisrs.net/ (no personal interest).

By: James

James — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 18:58:05 +0000

In reply to Dave Blackburn. The tree is a great analogy, I'll have to steal that! :-)

By: Dave Blackburn

Dave Blackburn — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:51:46 +0000

Memorize the vocabulary, not the reactions & relationships!
I tell my students that they have the choice of learning the positions of every leaf on a tree, or understanding the concept of roots, trunk, limbs, and twigs. If they get the concepts, the position of the leaves takes care of itself.
Nevertheless, the basic vocabulary as you list above is crucial!