3 ms·
Orgo is a double edged sword. The flow of electron density that dictates bonding patterns between the machinery of life is fascinating and graspable intuitively
by pvnick 13y ago
Orgo is a double edged sword. The flow of electron density that dictates bonding patterns between the machinery of life is fascinating and graspable intuitively. The problem comes when you get to those useless professors who prefer not the theoretical but the practical applications of industrial synthesis, who enjoy shoving heaps of reactions with various reagent combinations down their students' throats. As a result it becomes impossible to think mechanistically as I believe a good organic chemist should, and instead studying is reduced to carrying around stacks of note cards and memorizing different chemicals, solvents, and temperatures. That's hell, because it's stupid and a waste of time.
- jasonpbecker 13y agoThis is true. Some of the reason that American students in particular have a hard time in organic chemistry is the insistence of teaching intro orgo by functional group rather than reaction mechanism. In the UK, it's far more common to organize a course around mechanisms (which is how most graduate and advanced orgo is taught). The functional group approach exposes you early and often to seemingly non-sensical (or at least challenging) exceptions that don't seem to follow any pattern, all of which makes perfect sense when you learn them grouped with other situations where the same mechanism applies.
- dnautics 13y agowell, no, because you do need that working knowledge. Don't know what DAST is? Then you'll never come up with using it in a reaction. You won't have saved the company a load of money on a route to med-chem up a compound.