Monthly Archives: September 2008

C7 H10 O3 contest – Week #3 Results

Posted on September 29, 2008 by alan

The final week of the C7 H10 O3 contest brought in two entries. Gabe Holt and Patrick Fink had submitted an entry during week #1, but all of the other participants were brand new, bringing the total number of participating… Continue reading →

Posted in Contests & Challenges | 2 Comments

C7 H10 O3 contest – Week #2 Results

Posted on September 20, 2008 by alan

The C7 H10 O3 contest continues with three new entries. The winning team nearly hit the jackpot: 140 references. Congratulations Orissa and Rachel !!The other teams submitted molecules that looked pretty interesting to me, but I guess organic chemists haven't… Continue reading →

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Mnemonic = memory aid

Posted on September 19, 2008 by alan

Several years ago I came across a Chem 201 exam with the following written in the margin: "Albert is sick and in pain, so I brought clean forks". Afterward I asked the student what that was all about and she… Continue reading →

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Liquid mercury

Posted on September 19, 2008 by alan

We won't be using liquid mercury in the o chem lab, but it was widely used in many of the research labs where I worked. I even played with some liquid mercury when I was little. This video shows you… Continue reading →

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C7 H10 O3 contest – Week #1 Results

Posted on September 13, 2008 by alan

Week #1? Yes, that's right. Last week's contest brought in only three entries and the results were so intriguing (see below) that I thought it would be fun to extend the contest two more weeks. So I will collect entries… Continue reading →

Posted in Contests & Challenges | 2 Comments

Localized Molecular Orbital pictures (from lecture)

Posted on September 11, 2008 by alan

If you would like to look at the pictures of localized molecular orbitals (impress your parents! amaze your friends!) that I displayed in yesterday's lecture, download the following PDF files.Propene, CH3-CH=CH2Formaldehyde, CH2=O… Continue reading →

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Hyperventilating about hypervalent atoms

Posted on September 4, 2008 by alan

This question came up after lecture and its one worth bringing to the o chem public: Should sulfuric acid be drawn with double bonds (the way I originally drew it in lecture) or with single bonds+formal charges (the way I… Continue reading →

Posted in Post-lecture | 5 Comments