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. For my Alkyne Reactions Organic […]
Oxidation Reduction Organic Chemistry Practice Quiz
Oxidation and Reduction reactions will come up over and over in your organic chemistry course. Think you’ve mastered redox reactions and reagents? Try the practice quiz below then scroll down (end of the quiz) for the PDF solutions. Not fully confident with redox? Review the redox tutorial video series and follow along with the Orgo Redox […]
Oxidation and Reduction Reactions
Oxidation and Reduction reactions happen all the time in a living system and thus are very likely to show up on the MCAT. This video walks you through oxidation and reduction reactions, how to figure out the half reactions, and how to easily recognize (+ trick) what gets oxidized and what gets reduced. You’ll also […]
Orgo Oxidation Reduction Reactions Study Guide Cheat Sheet
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 Reduction Hydrogenation Reaction and Mechanism Video
Alkynes possess 2 pi bonds allowing for a full or partial reduction. This video walks you through the conditions required for all 3 reduction products including complete hydrogenation as well as the partial reduction to a cis or trans alkene. You’ll also learn the step by step mechanism for (radical) dissolving metal reduction. (Watch on YouTube: […]
Sodium Borohydride Carbonyl Reduction Reaction and Mechanism
Sodium Borohydride NaBH4 is a common reducing reagent used with carbonyl compounds. NaBH4 is a weak reducing agent and will only reduce ketones and aldehyes. Watch for the explanation below including reaction, mechanism, and practice problems. (Watch on YouTube: NaBH4 Reduction. Click cc on the bottom right for video transcript) <–Watch Previous Video: Alcohol Oxidation Mechanism H2CrO4 […]
Lithium Aluminum Hydride LiAlH4 Carbonyl Reduction Reaction and Mechanism
Lithium Aluminum Hydride LiAlH4 is the stronger ‘common’ carbonyl reducing agent. In addition to reducing aldehydes and ketones like NaBH4, LiAlH4 will also reduce carboxylic acids and carboxyl derivatives. The video below shows you a molecule and reaction overview followed by the reduction mechanisms for LiAlH4 with various carbonyl compounds. (Watch on YouTube: LiAlH4 Reduction. Click […]
Birch Reduction Reaction and Mechanism
Aromatic compounds are considered very stable thus difficult to react. Birch Reduction is one example of an extreme reaction strong enough to break benzene’s aromaticity to form an non conjugated cyclohexadiene. This video breaks down the reaction and mechanism, followed by my trick for quickly identifying the product when EDG/EWG substituents are present. (Watch on YouTube: Birch […]
Oxidation and Reduction of Alkenes and Alkynes
This video takes you through the various oxidation and reduction reactions you’ve covered back in alkene and alkyne reactions. In this video we differentiate between redox reactions vs reactions that add oxygen/hydrogen without a net reduction. This video also compares different types of oxidative cleavage reactions using Ozonolysis and KMnO4 for terminal and internal alkenes […]
Introduction to Oxidation Reduction Reactions in Organic Chemistry
Oxidation and Reduction reactions in organic chemistry are very different than the redox concepts covered in general chemistry. This video shows you how the same gen-chem concepts apply, while helping you analyze it from a molecular and organic chemistry reaction perspective. This video covers the logic, definitions, and tricks to look out for when identifying […]
