Author Archives: alan

Anticrastination anyone?

Posted on November 11, 2010 by alan

Procrastination is a problem. I have trouble dealing with it. Everyone that I know suffers from it. (Actually, "suffers" is the wrong word; "complains" would be more accurate. Procrastination can be a good thing, but if you find yourself complaining… Continue reading →

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New Homework Signals New Direction

Posted on November 9, 2010 by alan

I have just posted a new homework assignment: HW #6. You can download it from the homework page.This assignment signals a switch from an emphasis on modeling to an emphasis on chemical transformations. It is essential at this point that… Continue reading →

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Watch the TLC video

Posted on November 8, 2010 by alan

Last Thursday night I started showing a video demonstrating the technique of thin-layer chromatography. I also pointed out where to find this link. Let me point you at it again:Lab techniques (MIT videos): TLC (thin-layer chromatography) (16 min)(located in Off… Continue reading →

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Learn about the last EDG on your own

Posted on November 3, 2010 by alan

I have posted all of the slides from today's lecture (see Syllabus or here). I did not finish my description of electron-donating groups (EDG), but I had saved the easiest material for last so I would like you to look… Continue reading →

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Advice on working with models

Posted on October 30, 2010 by alan

Problem-solving and working with molecular models are fundamentally different activities. It's natural to feel some urgency when you practice solving problems, and the more you practice solving a certain kind of problem, the easier and faster it should get.This is… Continue reading →

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C12 H25 Cl O2

Posted on October 29, 2010 by alan

Problem 2B on yesterday's conference assignment contained the wrong formula for the intermolecular substitution product. It should be C12 H25 Cl O2.Other comments: problem #3 was basically covered in lecture so please flip the page and try your hand on… Continue reading →

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Contemplating the rest of the semester

Posted on October 19, 2010 by alan

Exam #2 has been graded. Scores are based on a 100-point scale just like the first exam and are written in a box on the last page of the exam.You can pick up your exam from Kathy Kennedy on Wednesday… Continue reading →

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Potentials and Potential Maps

Posted on September 13, 2010 by alan

Today's class on electron-deficient atoms and Lewis acids was very informative for me. I want to thank all of the students who were willing to share their questions with me. Your questions are how I learn.Here are a few post-lecture… Continue reading →

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Lab lecture for pKa measurement

Posted on September 10, 2010 by alan

I received a request for copies of last night's lab lecture. There are two files you can download:slides describing the experiment and light absorption by BCGpages describing what happens when you add N moles of HA to 1 liter of… Continue reading →

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Electron density, potential maps, and more

Posted on September 4, 2010 by alan
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