Alkynes, like alkenes, can undergo acid-catalyzed hydration. However, since alkynes are slower to react under these conditions we prefer to use alternative reactions. This video walks you through the step by step reaction and mechanism including the final enol-keto tautomerization. (Watch on YouTube: Alkyne Hydration. Click CC for Transcription.) <– Watch Previous Video: Alkyne Reduction Hydrogenation Reaction and Mechanism […]
If you were retaking the MCAT and had just 3 months to prepare, what would you do? This is a question I often hear from students who postpone their MCAT, or students who are dissatisfied with their scores and looking to retest. I was very hesitant to publish this plan given that I believe you […]
Taking the MCAT in 2020? The dates are finally out though registration doesn’t open until late October. Looks like once again we have 2 different testing calendars for the US and Canada with more Canadian dates later in the cycle, perhaps to accommodate the rolling admissions for hard deadlines? Most Canadian medical schools have hard deadlines. […]
Ranking acids and bases are about more than just knowing which is stronger/weaker. This video walks you through a few practice questions where you’re asked to determine the position of equilibrium for acid-base reactions WITHOUT using PKA values. Instead, we’re using CARIO to determine which acids and bases are stronger and predicting the reaction direction […]
Is your Organic Chem Class destroying your confidence? Are you doing what you’ve always done to master other classes, but suddenly it’s not enough? Are you overwhelmed with trying to memorize page after page of reactions, reagents, mechanisms, arrows, and more? YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I get it. I’ve been there! In fact… I nearly failed Organic Chemistry! Now, you […]
Cyclohexanes are most stable in the chair conformation. This requires a ring flip to interconvert between the 2 chair conformations, with some funky (boat) intermediates. This video walks you through the ring flip and boat conformations both with a model kit as well as how to draw the ring flip and boat on paper. (Watch […]
While many students fear stoichiometry, I hope you’re feeling confident and ready to tackle practice problems after reviewing my MCAT Stoichiometry and Reactions video series. Haven’t watched it yet? Jump into the video series before attempting the quiz. This practice quiz was written to test your basic understanding of Stoichiometry and Reactions following along with AAMC Content […]
When it comes to balancing chemical equations, it’s very easy to get lost and confused by all the changing numbers. The videos below will show you a simple yet efficient approach to make sure you quickly account for all your numbers (minimal guessing) and don’t lose track of your work along the way. Balancing Equations […]
When it comes to writing chemical equations it’s easy to confuse all the little letters and numbers. What do they mean? Where do they go? This video breaks down every letter and number you’ll see in chemical reactions, from coefficients and phases to numbers that represent charges, multiple atoms or polyatomic ions. (Watch on YouTube: Chemical […]
While the MCAT will not test you directly on the different types of chemical reactions, you will be expected to know them as they show up in more complex questions, passages, and experiments. This video walks you through the common types of chemical reactions including Disproportionation, Single Replacement, Double Replacement, Combination or Synthesis, Decomposition, and […]
The true key to successful mastery of alkene reactions lies in practice practice practice. However, … [Read More...]
While the pre-2015 MCAT only tests you on science and verbal, you are still required to perform … [Read More...]
Alkynes, like alkenes, can undergo acid-catalyzed hydration. However, since alkynes are slower to … [Read More...]