Reed Chemistry Links
Chem 201/202 Pages
Fast Facts
-
Recent Entries
Recent Comments
- Alan Shusterman on When is a 'glycol' not a glycol?
- Alan Shusterman on Anticrastination anyone?
- Alan Shusterman on Exam #4 answers
Author Archives: alan
Bond Order Goes under the Microscope
The 2012 Sept 17 issue of Chemistry & Engineering News ("C&ENews" is what we call it) begins with an article, Bond Order via Microscopy. A team of scientists at IBM's Zurich research center used a scanning probe microscope to… Continue reading
Posted in Post-lecture
Comments Off on Bond Order Goes under the Microscope
Lecture slides (Day 5) for hybrid & molecular orbitals
You can download the slides that I showed last Wed/Thur (Sept 12/13) here. I didn't get to show all of the slides, but if I could have, I would have divided the talk into three sections: what you already… Continue reading
Posted in Post-lecture
Comments Off on Lecture slides (Day 5) for hybrid & molecular orbitals
Learning objectives (Day 5) for hybrid & molecular orbitals
I have prepared a list of learning objectives and study tips for last Wed/Thur's (Sept 12/13) class. You can download them here…. Continue reading
Posted in Post-lecture
Comments Off on Learning objectives (Day 5) for hybrid & molecular orbitals
Challenge Problems + Molecular Modeling Questions = Answers
I promised that I would post answers to the challenge problems in the learning activities and I have also received requests for 'answers' to the molecular modeling activity (#2). Here are some answers and comments. Keep in mind: many… Continue reading
Beyond Oil and Water
Organic chemistry is filled with mysteries. The measurements involved in this week's experiment (solubility of alcohols in water) are straightforward, but scientific understanding has not really kept pace. Why do some liquids mix and others separate into distinct phases… Continue reading
Posted in Labs
Comments Off on Beyond Oil and Water
Vaux Swift Watch 2012
This post has nothing to do with o chem, but I think watching 5000+ small Vaux swifts swarm and then roost in the Chapman School chimney is one of the best FREE displays of urban wildlife you will ever… Continue reading
Posted in Study habits & Distractions
Comments Off on Vaux Swift Watch 2012
Learning Activity #2 – Corrections
Some corrections and clarifications for Learning Activity #2 follow. Let me know if you have other suggestions. #DU. A ring and a double-bond both count as 1 DU. Consider some three-carbon compounds. CH3CH2CH3 is propane, the saturated molecule. CH2=CHCH3… Continue reading
Posted in Post-lecture
Comments Off on Learning Activity #2 – Corrections
William Perkin? Meet Silas Cook!
Organic chemistry has a long history. This week we took a look at William Perkin, whose "unsuccessful" preparation of quinine spawned an entire industry, and Silas Cook, Reed '99, who recently supervised the first short "total" synthesis of artemisinin…. Continue reading
Posted in Post-lecture
Comments Off on William Perkin? Meet Silas Cook!
MUST READ: O-Chem Week #1
Hi, This is Alan Shusterman, your Chem 201 instructor. Classes get underway tomorrow and the first o-chem lecture will be in Eliot 314, but o-chem will actually start earlier in the day for some of you. Confusing? Let me… Continue reading
Posted in Class schedule, Labs
Comments Off on MUST READ: O-Chem Week #1
Preregistration for Fall 2012
Chem 201 will experiment with a new schedule in Fall 2012 (but Chem 202 will stick with the traditional schedule). So for 201 only: Two lecture sections to choose from: MW 3:10-4:20 OR TuTh 10:30-11:50. They will cover identical… Continue reading
Posted in Class schedule
Comments Off on Preregistration for Fall 2012