Topic 6: General - The Relationship between pKa and pH

6.1What is the difference between pH and pKa?
 
6.2What is so special about the situation when the pH of an aqueous solution matches the pKa of an acid in that solution?
 
6.3How can we use understanding of pKa, solubility, and pH for the practical purpose of separating organic compounds after a complex reaction?
 
6.4Both ethyl ether and dichloromethane are common organic solvents used in extraction. Why, from a purely practical point of view, might you choose one over the other?
 
6.5What makes a separatory funnel so unique? How do you use a separatory funnel?
 

Topic 7: General - Lewis Acids

7.1What is the definition of Lewis acid and Lewis base ?
 
7.2What column of the periodic table is particularly well known for elements that form compounds that are Lewis acids? (Why is that, in terms of hybridization?)
 
7.3Give three examples of Lewis acids involving elements in this column that are Lewis acids but not Bronsted-Lowry acids. What is it about their structures that makes them Lewis acids?
 
8 questions
364 questions for Organic I

364 Questions for Organic I

Dearest Student. This web page is a set of questions I call Detailed Intended Learning Outcomes For Organic Chemistry (Part I). Some time ago I asked myself, "Bob, what do you think are the key questions that you hope students will be able to answer after taking Chemistry 247 at St. Olaf College?" So here you have them. Some are very simple; some require more thought. All are good questions to be thinking about as you read, discuss, and master the practical aspects of organic chemistry. They are discussion starters and review tips. There are no answers here (though there are some clues). The questions are here to help you focus on what's important (to me, at least!) and organize your learning process. The questions are grouped into topics. Bite-size chunks. Take them a few at a time. Don't feast on them all at one sitting!

(preliminary version 2021.01.15 feeback: Bob Hanson)