Reactions at the alpha carbonyl position with enolate intermediates occur in many reactions! This includes but is not limited to: Alpha-Halogenation, Haloform & Idoform tests, Aldol, Claisen Condensation and more. Once you grasp enolate anion formation, it’s reactivity and stability, you’ll have the clarity you need to master the upcoming reactions. This video also covers common enolate pKa […]
Organic Chemistry Tutorial Videos
Intramolecular Aldol Condensation Reaction
Intramolecular Aldol condensations happen when a single molecule contains 2 reaction aldehyde/ketone groups. When the alpha carbon of one group attacks the other, the molecule attacks itself forming a ring structure. This video shows you how to identify the correct alpha carbon and carbonyl will complete the most stable ring as well as how to […]
Alpha Halogenation Reaction of Ketones and Aldehydes
Carbonyl groups provide a great starting point for synthesis reactions due to the reactivity at the alpha carbon position. Alpha halogenation is a great reaction to introduce leaving groups at the alpha position for further substitution or elimination reactions. Alpha halogenation can take place under acidic or basic conditions. The video below walks you through […]
Aldol Reaction Shortcut
Aldol reaction mechanisms are long and tedious! Once you’ve mastered the aldol addition/condensation mechanism you need a faster way to predict products. You also need to be able to identify starting molecules from a given product. This video shows you my 1-2-3 trick for quickly identifying aldol condensation products as well as using the products […]
Mixed Cross Aldol Reaction
A mixed or cross aldol reaction uses 2 different starting aldehydes or ketones for a potential mess of 4 different products. This video shows you how to quickly identify all 4 possible products as well as how to control reaction conditions to help limit the number of products formed. (Watch on YouTube: Cross Aldol Reaction. Click […]
Haloform Reaction and Iodoform Test
The Haloform Reaction is a very specific type of alpha halogenation reaction. This reaction takes place at the methyl ketone turning the methyl into a good haloform leaving group. This can include chloroform and bromoform, and of course the Iodoform solid precipitate used in lab to test for the presence of a methyl ketone. The […]
Aldol Addition and Condensation Reaction Mechanism
Aldol reactions are useful in organic chemistry synthesis for creating new carbon to carbon bonds. This reaction can occur as an aldol addition reaction at lower temperatures forming a beta-hydroxy aldehyde or ketone, or as an aldol condensation reaction at higher temperatures forming an alpha-beta unsaturated product. This video walks you through the addition and […]
Degree of Unsaturation aka Index of Hydrogen Deficiency
Degree of unsaturation is typically covered at the start of your organic chemistry course when you learn how to identify constitutional isomers. Yet it amazes me how many advanced orgo students still don’t understand or know this concept at the Orgo 2 level. This concept is CRITICAL for finding isomers, identifying key structures during spectroscopy, […]
Atom Size or Electronegativity to Rank Acidity in Organic Chemistry
Video 4 in the acid base tutorial video series shows you how to compare the size or electronegativity of the charged atom. Specifically, you want to look at the atoms on the conjugate base when they gain a charge after losing the acidic hydrogen. It’s not just about memorizing when to compare electronegativity, or when to […]
Using Charge to Rank Acids and Bases in Organic Chemistry
Charge is the first think to look for when asked to rank acids and bases without a given Ka or pKa. This video shows you how to compare the charges of the acids, or compare the conjugate bases. But more importantly, this video shows you how to tackle any acid/base ranking question by comparing conjugates […]