Monthly Archives: September 2008

C7 H10 O3 contest – Week #3 Results

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

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C7 H10 O3 contest – Week #2 Results

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

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

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

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

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Localized Molecular Orbital pictures (from lecture)

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

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