Delete Peak = No-No in NMR
An NMR spectrum provides important data on what’s in the NMR sample. Students are taught to look for certain contaminants – TMS, CHCl3, H2O – as a matter of routine. As many know, however, removing the...
View ArticleSleep is when connections are made
For years I have issued this advice to Chem 201 students before each exam, “Don’t stay up too late studying,” I say. “It doesn’t help. You need to get good sleep in order to make good long-term...
View ArticleWeek 1 in Chem 201
Welcome back to Reed. The attached file contains information about the first week of Chem 201. Lab (p. 1) and lecture (p. 2). Please read this file right away. Note: lab will meet beginning tomorrow,...
View ArticleBuy, Register (and Bring) Your Clicker
I received this message from Kristin Bott in CUS. She’s been gathering data about your clickers and she NEEDS YOUR HELP. Read on, Good afternoon, Chem 201! A high-five to the 30 of you who have...
View ArticleGet ready for Quiz #1 (& Advice from 2013)
As you prepare for our quiz later this week, keep two things in mind: There are lots of resources to help you: sample quiz (with answers) from 2013, practice problems online and in your book, online...
View ArticleQuiz #1 Statistics etc
69 students took Quiz #1 in-class last week and 59 students turned in take-home quizzes. Here are some statistics on how the class performed: 40-50 points. 13 students scored in this range on the...
View ArticleModels for Learning about Electrostatic Potential Maps
The models you need can be downloaded here: ions321inter.spartan neutrals321inter.spartan
View ArticleOptical Activity of Sucrose: Laptop + Sunglasses
The web is loaded with videos explaining optical activity and demonstrating polarimeters of various types (see Sorrell, Fig. 4.3, p. 114). Here are two SHORT clever videos from David Whyte (and his...
View ArticleCombination Coupling in Salicylic Acid 1H NMR
The reading of Exp’t 4 (salicylic acid) lab reports informed me that many 201 students struggled with the complexities of the proton NMR spectrum. The NMR of salicylic acid is complicated, no doubt...
View ArticleKeep a study journal
The most frequently made comment by Chem 201 students is that they learn to study organic chemistry as the semester rolls along. Please read that again. They don’t say, ‘they learn o chem’ because...
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Vaux Swift Watch 2015
This post has nothing to do with o chem, but you have a long weekend ahead of you and I don’t want you miss something really special: the swarming and roosting of 5000+ small Vaux swifts in the Chapman...
View ArticleChallenge/Conference Problems or HW/Book Problems
I have (and will) post some extra “challenge” problems from time to time. Let me explain their purpose so that you can work these problems into your schedule in an appropriate way. Problems that...
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Would you buy a used model kit from this dog?
After the game (Renn Fayre ’09) You can buy a new molecular model kit from the Chemistry Stockroom ($20), but you have other choices (learn more here), and used model kits are often available at...
View ArticleHow to interpret your IR spectrum
There seems to be a little confusion about how to interpret your experimental IR spectra and how to use Spartan’s calculated spectrum. I hope the following will help clarify things a little (I recall...
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The Molecules in Your Pumpkin
I saw this article (C&ENews, 12 Oct 2015, p. 38) about the molecules that make Halloween pumpkins look and taste and smell the way they do:
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Brainwaves & Anesthetics
General anesthetics, the chemicals that temporarily ‘put you under,’ have transformed surgery, but doctors and scientists are still learning how these chemicals work. Judith Lavelle, a reporter for...
View ArticlePreparing for EsCENTial Oil lab – weeks 2 & 3
This lab experiment lasts 3 weeks. Students finished varying amounts of lab work during the first week so planning the remaining work is a little complicated. I’ve written up a two-page set of...
View ArticleLab Grades
Nearly all of the lab reports have been graded so you can expect to see graded lab reports turning up in your inbox over the next week or so. The lab reports contain three grades: notebook, lab work,...
View ArticleStudy, study, study? Take a Tonematrix break
Computers – source of endless entertainment or endless drudgery? A little of both, right. Why not turn your computer into a mood enhancer by making some music with the Tonematrix audio tool. 2 minutes...
View ArticleEthanol IR models
Click on the link to download a Spartan EDF2/6-31G** model of ethanol monomer and ethanol dimer. The models have been combined in a single file (a ‘list’ model) and they already contain calculated IR...
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