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Organic Chemistry Basics to Build A Strong Orgo Foundation

Leah4sci Organic Chemistry Basics Tutorial Video Series

Success in organic chemistry requires a strong foundation and understanding of the basics. That's why this video series is designed to teach you these very foundation topics that were touched on in general chemistry.

Worried you're behind? Go back to the ‘Gen Chem Review for Orgo' series first and test your knowledge with the Gen Chem for Orgo Quiz!

For a quick review, stop and watch my ‘General Chemistry Review for Organic Chemistry Students‘ video.

Pre-Basics Video – Skeletal StructuresDrawing Skeletal Structures for Organic Compounds Video

Confused by those sticks and lines masquerading as molecules? In this video, you’ll learn how to identify molecules when written in line structure. I'll also cover molecules containing oxygen bonds, nitrogen, and more.

 

Orgo Basics video 1 bonding by Leah FischVideo 1 – Ionic, Polar Covalent and Non-Polar Covalent Bonding

Learning these concepts will help you recognize strong/weak bonds and bonds that can or can’t be broken. These are crucial to understanding reactions.

Click here for an in-depth overview (+ videos) of sp³, sp² and sp Hybridization, Geometry and Bond Angles.

Video 2 – sp3 Hybridization and Bond Angles

Carbon must have 4 bonds. This ability of binding 4 different atoms for a 3-D structure is unique to organic compounds. For more on sp3 hybridization for carbon and other atoms, geometry and bond angle, see my video below.

Video 3 – sp2 and sp Hybridization and Bond Angles

sp2 and sp hybrids give organic compounds unique shapes and reacting abilities. This video breaks down sp2 hybridization and sp fused orbitals using carbon and other atoms to help you understand hybrids, geometry, and bond angles.

formal charge equation shortcut Learn the Formal Charge Formula Shortcut

Formal charge calculations are taught as a complicated and confusing process.  This detailed written tutorial will teach you my quick shortcut and is followed by lots of practice questions. (Video below included in this tutorial.)

Formal Charge Orgo Basics Video 4Video 4 – Formal Charge Calculation Shortcut

Simply calculate which atom carries charge. Later, you’ll be using FC to identify reactive intermediates and reaction patterns. So let's get it mastered now!

Lewis Structures in Organic Chemistry Video 5Video 5- Lewis Structure for Organic Chemistry Molecules

“What's the correct structure???” Ensure you are on the right track with this video. Simply draw every atom, bond, and lone electron pair.

Covering radicals as well? Watch: Draw Lewis Structures for Radicals.

Need even more practice with Lewis Structures, Shape, Hybridization, and Polarity? Watch here!

Watch Orgo basics resonance structures step by step video tutorial by Leah4SciVideo 6 – Resonance Structures

Resonance structures shows the movement of electrons between adjacent atoms.

This will affect the way we understand the molecule including what it looks like, its reactivity, and more.

watch-orgo-basics-finding-major-and-minor-resonance-structures-in-step-by-step-video-tutorial-by-leah4sciVideo 7 – Major / Minor Resonance Contributors

Which Resonance structure is the most accurate? Learn how to find the most stable & least stable resonance structures and how to identify it among all the contributing structures.

To review these topics go back and watch my Intro To Orgo video series.

The above Orgo Foundation series requires a proper understanding of general chemistry basics including

  • Atomic structure
  • Subatomic particles
  • Periodic table and trends
  • Atomic shapes and orbitals
  • Electron configuration
  • Lewis dot diagram
  • Octet rule

To test your knowledge on Gen Chem basics, check out my Gen Chem Review for Orgo Quiz!

<– Back to the Organic Chemistry Syllabus Companion
to see what to study next!

3 Month MCAT Plan

What does a 3-month MCAT Study Plan entail? Click to Read/Download

3 month mcat study plan leah4sci

Can I help you find a topic?

Download my Free Organic Chemistry Cheat Sheets by clicking on the image below



MCAT Tutorials, Videos & More

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Organic Chemistry Tutorials & Videos

Orgo Syllabus Companion
- Gen Chem Foundation for Orgo
- Orgo Basics Foundation
- Resonance Structures
- Naming Organic Compounds
- Acids and Bases
- Newman Projections
- Chair Conformations
- Chirality and Stereochemistry
- Fischer Projections
- Intro to Mechanisms
- Alkene Reactions
- Alkyne Reactions
- Free Radical Reactions
- Substitution Elimination Reactions
- Diels Alder
- Aromaticity & Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution (EAS)
- Alcohols
- Oxidation and Reduction
- Acetal / Ketal
- Enolate Reactions
- Proton NMR Spectroscopy

Organic Chemistry Study Guide Cheat Sheets

2023 MCAT Test Dates

Click image below for test + score release dates and more

Radicals: Reactions, Stability Hybridization+

Click for New Tutorial: All about Free Radicals

Free Radicals in Organic Chemistry - Hybridization, Stability, Resonance, Reactions and Mechanism Videos

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Work with me to figure out exactly what YOU need to ace your MCAT

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Orgo Students: Come Work With Me

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Option 1: Join me for bimonthly live review/Q & A Sessions, 50+ Hours of Topic-Specific review/practice sessions, direct access to me and so much more... [click for details]

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Organic Chemistry Reference Material and Cheat Sheets

Alkene Reactions Overview Cheat Sheet – Organic Chemistry

The true key to successful mastery of alkene reactions lies in practice practice practice. However, … [Read More...]

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MCAT Tutorials

mcat math without a calculator 1 play

Introduction To MCAT Math Without A Calculator

While the pre-2015 MCAT only tests you on science and verbal, you are still required to perform … [Read More...]

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Organic Chemistry Tutorial Videos

KET Keto enol tautomerization reaction and mechanism leah4sci

Keto Enol Tautomerization Reaction and Mechanism

Keto Enol Tautomerization or KET, is an organic chemistry reaction in which ketone and enol … [Read More...]

Click for additional orgo tutorial videos

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