Organic Chemistry Functional Groups: A Complete Guide to Recognizing, Drawing, and Naming (+ Priority Cheat Sheet at bottom) A functional group is a specific group of atoms that helps determine the chemistry and reactivity of the overall molecule. When classifying functional groups, we look at both the specific atoms present, as well as the manner […]
Aromatic Compounds Study Guide Cheat Sheet
When it comes to naming Aromatic compounds in organic chemistry, you will be required to know both common and IUPAC names. My Naming Aromatic Compounds videos teach you how to approach nomenclature. or CLICK HERE for my entire 21-video series on Naming Organic Compounds. However, students often ask me for a list of ‘required’ or ‘common’ […]
Organic Chemistry Functional Groups Simplified to Memorize By Leah Fisch
Functional groups are key to success in organic chemistry. In order to recognize reactive portions of a molecule, you must first recognize the functional groups that influence reactivity. But how do you quickly memorize the groups when they look so similar? This video breaks down the common organic chemistry functional groups to help you understand […]
Cis Trans and E Z Geometric Isomers
Your organic chemistry course will cover many different types of isomers. Isomers have the same molecular formula but something about them is different. Geometric isomers, a type of stereoisomer, differ in their geometry or shape. This happens when substituents are LOCKED in a specific relationship to each other. I say locked because, unlike conformational isomers in […]
Propyl Butyl and Pentyl Branched Substituents
When you hear n-butyl, secbutyl, isobutyl and tert butyl. Do these terms scare you? Learning Organic Chemistry is like learning a new language where certain prefixes and suffixes will mean different things. Different ways of arranging bits and pieces will bring you to different variations of compounds. But just like a new language, the more you see it, […]
Naming Amines
Naming Organic Compounds Series: Video 18 This organic chemistry tutorial video takes you through the IUPAC rules for naming Amines. Examples include naming simple and substituted amines, along with diamines. (Watch on YouTube: Amines. Click CC on bottom right for transcript.) <– Watch Previous Video: Naming Esters –> Watch Next Video: Naming Amides Helpful Pencil […]
Naming Aromatic Compounds
Naming Organic Compounds Series: Video 20 This video and the following video will take you through the steps for naming aromatic compounds using their common names, as substituents off larger molecules, and as a parent molecule using ortho / meta / para. Click HERE for the Naming Aromatic Compounds Cheat Sheet (Watch on YouTube: Aromatics 1. […]
Naming Aromatic Compounds Part 2 Ortho Meta Para Substituents on Benzene
In the previous video, Part 1 of the Aromatic Nomenclature, you saw how to name Benzene molecules using IUPAC and common nomenclature for a substituted benzene. This tutorial video below, Part 2, will walk you through the IUPAC rules for naming disubstituted benzene compounds using ortho meta and para. (Watch on YouTube: Aromatics 2. Click […]
Naming Branched Chain Alkanes
Naming Organic Compounds Series: Video 3 This tutorial video takes you through the steps of naming branched chain alkanes using the IUPAC naming rules. A branched chain alkane is an organic molecule that has smaller carbon chains sticking out in the middle rather than having all carbons connected in a single row. Video includes a […]
Naming Branched Substituents – Tert-Butyl, Isopropyl, isobutyl, tertbutyl, and more
Naming Organic Compounds Series: Video 4 This tutorial video shows you how to name organic compounds with substituents coming off their substituents. This includes the ‘long’ version of naming each individual group, and the accepted abbreviations like tert-butyl and isopropyl. (Watch on YouTube: Substituents. Click CC on bottom right for transcript.) <– Watch Previous Video: […]
