Back to basics the only way forward in understanding organic chemistry
Deepa Mahajan, Botswana
Organic chemistry is not such a tough subject to learn for exams argues Deepa
Mahajan from Botswana. Across the world students rate chemistry as being a
difficult subject to learn and for many, organic chemistry tends to be the
toughest. This is true of her students in Botswana. But why bother with organic
chemistry, you may ask? If you ever plan to study in the health sciences,
physiology, nutrition or biochemistry, you will need a strong base in organic
chemistry.
Organic chemistry she says is much like mathematics - you are able to score
100% in an exam. She offers an important tip and that is to that in studying
organic chemistry - you need to start at the basics and build your way up as you
learn. If you go stepwise, you will be on the right track.
Here is an example.
In order to solve a problem in Organic Chemistry, remember it is important to
go stepwise as shown below:
Problem: What two products are possible from the addition of HBr to
1-propene?
Step1
Write the structure of 1-propene. It is advisable to write a condensed structure
and then bond-line if you are not familiar with the bond line structures. Count
the carbons and place the double bond at the correct position. Recall that
1-propene is an unsymmetrical alkene.
Step2
HBr, the attacking reagent is made up of H+ and Br-. These two species attack at
the double bond of the alkene.
Step 3
Now recall the Markovnikov's rule - When an unsymmetric reagent adds to an
unsymmetric alkene, the electropositive part of the reagent bonds to the carbon
of the double bond that has the greater number of hydrogen atoms attached to it.
Step 4
Draw the major and minor products and name them according to IUPAC rules. Find
the longest chain. Find the substituents and their location and accordingly name
the haloalkane.
The two possible products are:
More information:
Article by Deepa S. Mahajan
Basic Sciences Department, Botswana College of Agriculture, P Bag 0027,
Gaborone. Botswana; dmahajan@bca.bw
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