Award-Winning Private Organic Chemistry Tutoring in Buckeye, AZ

We looked at Sn1/Sn2 and E1/E2 reactions and mechanisms. The student was having a bit of difficulty identifying the type of reaction and the possible product outcomes. She was very receptive toward the material covered. We talked about how to identify each reaction set and key things one should keep in mind for each one.

We went over a sample exam and practice problems, esterification and ester hydrolysis, adding protective groups and removing protective groups, the purpose of ketals/acetals, anhydrides, making and removing imines and enamines, and sample synthesis problems.

We went over various topics, mostly on chemistry material, in preparation for her test tomorrow. We talked about acids, pH, bases, periodic trends, electronegativity, dipoles, H-bonding, covalent vs ionic, and how to calculate the energy required to go from ice to steam (including the heat of fusion and heat of vaporization in the calculation).

We went through different practice exams. We covered different topics such as SN1, SN2, E1, E2, and the conditions for each reaction. We also discussed the mechanism for ring expansion involving a carbocation intermediate. We went through different examples for ring contraction and drew the mechanism for each example.

First time meeting with the student. Reviewed organic molecule nomenclature, and covered basic organic molecule structure and common functional groups. Touched upon substitution reactions and dehydrogenation. Afterwards, prepared a review sheet covering nomenclature and functional organic groups and shared with client.

Focused on differences between e1 and e2 reactions and what factors favor substitution vs. elimination reactions. Discussed antiperiplanar orientation for e2 reactions and how to identify it with compounds drawn using various conventions.