This section will display the poems written by students in their assigned project.
Mechanisms At Its Best
By: Klaishon Fambrough & Jacques Baker
Organic chemistry is my favorite class
If you learn these mechanisms you could pass
The structure of alkyl halides is where you begin
If you know what’s favored you could win
The alpha carbon atom connects to the halogen
The beta is next connected to the alpha position
This is how you classify alkyl groups
Primary, secondary, tertiary but were not through
SN1 and SN2 are substitution reactions
A strong or weak Nucleophile is what makes it happen
SN1 favors tertiary, primary is SN2
Forming a carbocation is what you should do
A good leaving group is what you will need
If you want the reaction to happen with speed
Stepwise process the nucleophile attacks
But first the leaving group leaves
Which is how SN1 reacts
SN1 can have a weak nucleophile but SN2 can’t
A carbocation is stable in SN1 because of inductive effect
Hyperconjugation on the other hand requires rearrangement
You can move hydrogens if you change it
Substitution reactions replaces a functional group
Elimination reactions is where substituents are removed
E1 and E2 are eliminations reactions
A weak or strong base is what makes it happen
They both favor tertiary so how do you decide
If it is strong its E2 and attacks from the backside
Not like substitution the carbon is not attacked
It is the beta protons that the base attacks to react
In elimination reactions you get a double bond
That’s because it encounters the lose of a proton
In the case of a secondary alkyl halide
This is something you should know
Weak or strong and base or nucleophile
Will tell you which way to go
Remember SN1 is a weak nucleophile, not SN2
And E2 is a strong base now you know what to do
There may be a case where you could use two
But understand that in substitution the carbon is attacked
And in elimination the beta protons is how it reacts
Attack the beta protons, there could be more than one
So make sure you have all the possible products that are formed
Addition Reaction for Dummies
By: Kiara Ampuero & Williams Hicks
Addition reactions seem really hard
Read through this poem and you won't be scarred
Put your mind to work and it's really fine
In fact, when you finish you will shine
Hydrohalogenation, wow! what a big word
But it is not as difficult as you may have heard
Alkyl halides are used in this addition
But only under the following conditions
The major product will be controlled by Mark's Rule
Hydrogen goes to the less substituted carbon, which we learned in school
Dissociation of the hydrogen halide is the first step
In this process, the Pi bond is not kept
It ends up as a haloalkane
Which really is not a pain
Hydration is an addition where water is used
But only when it's activated with a strong acid, or it will be confused
When treated with an aqueous acid the alkene will form an alcohol to respond
And a hydroxide group will join to the double bond
Ethanol, isopropanol, and 2-butanol is usually what they form
Right before they hit a storm
Halogenation is one where a bridge is used
But let's make sure to not let it be misused
Halogen attacks and the second halide breaks away
But it comes back for revenge and ruins its day
It comes from the opposite side and breaks its bridge
The product formed is a vicinal dihalide which is just a smidge
It contains a positive charge because of two bonds
This is the only way it can respond
One halogen faces up while the other faces down
It must be an inert solvent to avoid having a frown
Halohydrin reactions seem pretty complicated
But it is pretty easy how they are operated
Pi bond attacks the halogen molecule
And breaks in the process which is cool
The second halogen breaks as a negative halide
Where then many solvent molecules override
If its unsymmetrical water attacks the carbon
The one with more atoms or groups for certain
It forms a halohydrin with a halogen on one
And OH on another to be done
Hydroboration-Oxidation, what a crazy name
But just like hydration, it forms an alcohol the same
It's a two-step reaction
Converting alkenes into alcohols across double bonds in their hobby
When they're not kicking it with Bobby
They do not like Mark as they're against him
And their Hydroxyl group attaches to the less substituted carbon limb
The product formed is a racemic mixture
When it is finally a chem fixture
Chair Conformations
By: Katherine Milton & Lesley Cruz
Chair conformations, difficult as they may sound
Are quite the easy task, once the key has been found.
A few connected lines, drawn the right way
Can land you a chair that will make your day.
What could possibly be the point,
Of these random connected joints?
Is the professor trying to confuse you,
If so, this will be the day they will rue!
Unfortunately, the topic isn’t a hoax,
The importance of this subject couldn’t be coaxed.
The material is actually useful,
It makes the difficulty behind cyclos neutral.
Now let us settle on down
And try hard not to frown;
Because the creation of conformations
Could be the savior to your organic qualifications.
Chairs show us that cyclohexanes
Don’t lie flat in a 2-D plane;
Rather they take a neat 3-D shape,
And can be flipped to become shipshape.
Chairs are comprised of several C-H bonds
That are divided by two as corresponds:
Axial bonds go up and down like massive poles
Equatorial go left and right like soccer goals.
Chair conformations can be flipped
Inverting them as if one tripped;
In the end only one chair will be more vital,
The other unstables will not deserve the title.
When you are given a cyclohexane,
The first thought to mind is a “How, insane!”
With all the anxiety you forget to bend it
And end up throwing a massive fit!
So take a step back and take it really easy
When you look at first glance it might make you dizzy;
Bend that cyclo and use it as a chair
To make your life and class a bit more fair!
Oh Alkyne, Oh Alkyne
By: Jack Usher & Courtney Plante
Oh alkyne oh alkyne how can I name thee,
Don’t worry student we’ll tell you how just come take this journey with me
First identify my triple bond and name its longest chain,
It’s quite easy to name an alkyne so let’s play this simple game
You can call this chain the parent he’ll introduce you to his substituent kids
Then identify the substituents and name them a name that is fit
Methyl, ethyl, and propyl are examples of substituent names that are not forbid
Then you must number the parent and he will not want to be split
The first part of his name is the position of his kids
These will be numbers who give their position along the parent chain
The substituents can take many forms, such as alkenes and alkanes
Next assemble the kids in alphabetical order so the name will stay neat
Then put all of this information together and then your job is complete.
We can show you how easy naming an alkyne can be,
Just stay with us a little longer and soon you will be free
Our parent chain is seven carbons long
And our three siblings have got to come along
The siblings are methyl, ethyl, and propyl and are located at positions 3, 4, and 5
They like to be alphabetical so ethyl will go first
Followed by methyl and propyl, this cannot be reversed
Putting all of this information together we have a name that jives
We call our alkyne 4 – ethyl – 5 methyl – 3 - propyl – 1 – heptyne
So next time you are in a panic to name an alkyne, remember our easy steps and all will be fine.
The Functional Groups
Organic chemistry is fun, organic chemistry is mean,
unless you have the functional groups memorized, then it's a breeze.
Alkanes are a saturated system,
consisting of hydrocarbons and single bonds.
But be careful, too much of these in one space,
could be disastrous for anyone at your place.
Subtract a hydrogen from each carbon on an ethane,
Place a double bond in between your C bond C
And you end up with an Alkene.
Add another pi-bond to your alkene,
You get an alkyne that’s peaked on the hydrocarbon acidity physique.
Don’t forget your Ketones, Amides, and Aldehydes,
Their carbonyls are the same, but all differ by one group of the right side.
They go from R, NH2, to H.
Now you’re half way through the functional group page.
Organic chemistry is fun, organic chemistry is mean,
unless you have the functional groups memorized, then it's a breeze.
You mustn’t mistake an ester for a benzene ring,
even though both are sure to give your nose a sting.
Naphthalene’s aromaticity could give cancer to your cells,
unlike an ester with its carbonyl-OR tail.
An ether is the simplest of them all,
if you inhale these R-O-Rs, they’re sure to make you crawl.
Please remember your alcohols, alkyl halides, and amines,
Their R’s are the same but each group changes with the right side routine.
They go from OH, X, to NH2,
But only one is good to be in your brew.
Organic chemistry is fun, organic chemistry is mean,
unless you have the functional groups memorized, then it's a breeze.
Organometallic Poem
By: Dwianitra Bone & Raymond Klugey
I grew up thinking organic meant pure
However, after two semesters, I’m hardly sure
What I thought meant natural and kind
Stresses me out and racks my mind
No matter, I did not come here to fuss
There is a more important matter I must discuss.
In this chemistry realm, we like to toss favorites around
And there is just something divine about carbon compounds
I could speak forever of its four glorious bonds
But I must get on to what this poem corresponds
When a carbon and a metal huddle in to keep warm
An organometallic is what these two form
Organolithium, organocopper, and Grignard (or magnesium halide)
Are the ones we will discuss and leave all others aside
When it comes to Grignard synthesis alkyl halides and magnesium can be seen
After the reaction, somehow Mg becomes wedged in between
Organolithiums are formed by alkyl halides reacting with lithium metals
Of the two lithium atoms that react, the alkyl group is where only one Li settles
The other metal atom is carted away with the halide or the X
Now let us talk of organolithium and Grignard reactions, they will surely vex
Their negatively charged carbon attacks an aldehyde or ketone’s carbonyl
The oxygen becomes negative until hydrogen comes and shows it what is real
The aftermath of all these electron donations and withdrawals
Is the formation of primary, secondary, or tertiary alcohols
Another reaction of these two that I thought was a hoot
Is with esters, which is similar but that extra O-group gets the boot
Now on to organocuprates, which are truly unique
I will elaborate if an explanation is what you seek
Two alkyl groups, one copper atom and a lithium atom comprise
To synthesize them you need organolithium and a copper halide
Organocuprates are extremely useful and quite a sensation
Reacted with alkyl halides they give alkanes - no need for elimination
Although they are less reactive, I feel it must be stated
They excel at 1, 4-addition to aldehydes and ketones that are α,β-unsaturated
Instead of latching on to the C=O they choose the C=C to attack
So, after all the resonating has settled down the carboxyl group remains intact
Okay, my peers, I am quite sure I have shared enough
My noggin aches because for Pete’s sakes this chemistry is tough
I know now that being natural is not all organic means
It is bonds, electron, structures, and all sorts of different things
Organometallics are a part of life. Overthinking them will make you manic
…but then again you would have to be if you chose to study organic.
We Have Chemistry
By Porter Z. Sadler & Tu Vo
If I were a nucleophile
Baby, I’d share my electrons with you
If this was a reaction
I’d replace your boyfriend like it’s Sn2
We wouldn’t expect it
Because our love would come from behind (Like the reaction)
And it sounds quite funny
But listen to these facts and I think you’ll find
That we have chemistry
Organic chemistry, you and me
That we have chemistry
And baby, we’re meant to be
Oh we have chemistry.
I’m positive like a cation
That I can put a smile on your face
Because like an elimination reaction
You can say we’ve got that super base
Oh what I’m trying to say
Is I need you here, right next to me
So let’s get together
And we’ll hybridize like SP3
Oh we have chemistry
Organic chemistry, you and me
That we have chemistry
And baby, we’re meant to be
Oh we have chemistry.
POEM OF TWO PHILES
Guess Opposites Really Do Attract
1, 2 Give you a clue
Lone pair, (S-) or (–)charges are signals that I am a nucleophile
3, 4 Use meaning of name as a cue
Nucleo-phile means nucleus lover
To pinpoint receiver of my attack
5, 6 Another hint for you
Charges (S+) or (+) are good indicators of her identity
My arrow of attack goes to an Electrophile
7, 8 Our attraction proves opposites attract, to be true
While I have electrons to spare, she lacks electrons
Her room to accommodate me makes us a perfect pair
9, 10 Before I abide you adieu let me leave you with this quick review
Nucleophiles attack Electrophiles
Nucleophiles are electron rich and electrophiles are electron poor
Higher concentration of Electron on Nucleophile flow to lower concentration on electrophile
Attack of the nucleophile
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