The Grignard reagent R-Mg-X (pronounced Grin-yard) is a carbon chain bound to a magnesium halide, typically used to form alcohols by attacking carbonyls such as in aldehydes or ketones. Grignards are my go-to for chain elongation in orgo 2 synthesis.Alkynes are my go-to for orgo 1 chain elongation. In English, please? Let’s back up a bit. […]
MCAT General Chemistry Crash Course Bootcamp
February 19, 2020 By
When it comes to general chemistry on the MCAT, Do you feel like this SHOULD be a basic enough topic? After all, gen-chem is the foundation for Orgo and Biochem, Yet, you find yourself struggling with the concepts and tripping over the math? I used to hate chemistry. I dreaded this subject. All because I […]
How To Stop Forgetting What You Study
February 11, 2020 By Leave a Comment
You sit down to study and quickly get in the zone. Everything just clicks! The concepts make sense, you understand the information, and you ace the related practice questions.When you’re done, you put your books/notes away knowing this was a solid study session. You’re excited to pick this up again tomorrow, or even next week. Ideally, […]
Orgo Oxidation Reduction Reactions Study Guide Cheat Sheet
February 8, 2020 By 10 Comments
Oxidation and reduction reactions in organic chemistry can get very confusing very quickly due to the sheer volume of reaction types and chemical reagents involved. To help you keep track of these reactions and reagents I’ve put together the Oxidation/Reduction Study Guide Cheat Sheet Below. This guide is the result of hours of work, so […]
Alkyne Reactions Overview Cheat Sheet – Organic Chemistry
February 7, 2020 By 20 Comments
In response to the feedback for my alkene reaction cheat sheet I’ve compiled another organic chemistry reference sheet, this time for alkyne reactions. Do NOT simply use this guide to memorize reaction products. Instead use this guide as you study to ensure that you understand mechanisms and recognize reaction sequences. I spent nearly 2 hours […]
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution Study Guide Cheat Sheet
February 6, 2020 By 14 Comments
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution reactions are one of the more fun topics that you will study in Organic Chemistry. But perhaps you find it tricky due to the sheer volume of information that makes up the big picture. And so, in addition to my EAS Tutorial Video Series I’ve put together a thorough EAS cheat sheet. […]
SN1 SN2 E1 E2 Organic Chemistry Study Guide Cheat Sheet
February 5, 2020 By 8 Comments
Substitution and Elimination reactions are potentially the most difficult topic at the Organic Chemistry 1 Level. Unlike other reactions which follow similar patterns, with the SN1/SN2/E1/E2 reactions you are faced with different circumstances for similar molecules and asked to choose a reaction pathway. The average cheat sheet gives you a ‘memorize without logic’ roadmap, which […]
Chirality and Stereochemistry Cheat Sheet Study Guide
February 4, 2020 By 12 Comments
Chirality is a tough organic chemistry topic. But if you’re reading this you already know. Be sure to watch my chirality video series to make sense of chiral atoms, enantiomers, absolute configuration and finding R/S for simple and complex molecules. The cheat sheet below is meant to serve as a study guide to help you as […]
Carboxylic Acid Derivative Study Guide Cheat Sheet
February 1, 2020 By 2 Comments
With organic chemistry finals just around the corner, you are likely reaching a breaking point with regards to the sheer volume of reactions and reagents you are required to master. And while my primary suggestion will be to ‘learn, study, and understand’ the reactions, you may find yourself overwhelmed trying to organize your notes and […]
2 Reasons Students Retake the MCAT – How YOU Can Avoid it
January 20, 2020 By Leave a Comment
When preparing to retake the MCAT, students typically hope for a 5-10 point jump or higher, but according to the AAMC most students barely improve by 2-5 points on their second attempt. Does this mean the situation is hopeless?Should you just give up on your dreams of becoming a doctor and settle for something else?Maybe […]
