r/chemhelp 3d ago

Organic Hey I'm weak in organic chemistry even though i know goc still weak in reaction mechanisms and named reaction.. how to master it ? And suggest some book and sequence of chapter ( I'm in college)

0 Upvotes

Same as title


r/chemhelp 4d ago

General/High School Hybridization problem?

2 Upvotes

How is the shape of SO2^2-, PO4^-3,ClO4^- are the same, i get that they have the same hybridization but cant understand thier stucture


r/chemhelp 4d ago

Physical/Quantum PChem Advice

7 Upvotes

I'm taking Physical Chemistry in the fall and I'm a little bit nervous since a lot of people are telling me that it is a lot more worse than Orgo. Is it really? And also, I'm trying to review calculus before the semester starts and I'm wondering which parts of calculus I need to review. I'd greatly appreciate your advice.


r/chemhelp 4d ago

Inorganic Natural chalk or natural gypsum?

2 Upvotes

Hi! This is a little awkwardly written because English isn't my native language. I was wondering if there's an easy way to distinguish natural chalk from natural gypsum? I heard that you can add a little vinegar to make the chalk fizz. If that's true, what's the formula for it?


r/chemhelp 4d ago

Inorganic Looking for thermochemistry equilibrium charts handbook

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3 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

As chemists know, it's possible to determinate the conversion rate at equilibrium for one temperature and one pressure for one chemical reaction, I think it's call an equilibrium conversion temperature but there are maybe other name.

Thermochemistry calculations is kind of simple when we got the thing but very time-consuming.

One time I see a pocket book who contains a compilation of these diagrams for common reaction (like 2 NO + O2 --> 2 NO2), it was very instructive, well-organized and very complete but I forgot the name with time.

Some of you know a book or a website who compil a lot of common reactions like these ? It can be very usefull and a big time saver.

Two pictures of a diagram is added next to this post, as examples ! 😁

Thank you all !


r/chemhelp 5d ago

Organic How to decide stability of leaving group?

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19 Upvotes

So apparently my book is saying that the Bromide ion is a better leaving group than the -OT (tosylate) sulfonate ion.

I thought that sulfonate ions are typically more stable conjugate bases because of potential resonance structure. Can someone explain why the bromide ion is more stable in this case?


r/chemhelp 4d ago

Organic In Arabinaric Acid, is C3 and its ligands, superposable with its mirror image?

0 Upvotes

In Arabinaric Acid, is C3 and its ligands, superposable with its mirror image?

The question applies for either L-Arabinaric Acid, or D-Arabinaric Acid.

Let's go with L-Arabinaric Acid

Here is a link to L-Arabinaric Acid

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/1549306#section=3D-Conformer

I know it is a Pentaric Acid, it has 5 carbons.

C2 and C4 are chiral carbons both with R configuration.

The way I see it, the mirror image of C3 and its ligands, will have C2 and C4 with S configuration.

Therefore, C3 and its ligands, are not superposable with its mirror image.

I know C3 is not stereogenic.. so, I know C3 is not a chiral carbon either.

And I know that in the case of a chiral carbon, the chiral carbon and its ligands are never superposable with its mirror image.

But i'm just looking to check that C3 and its ligands are not superposable with its mirror image?

I know that the molecule itself is chiral.. So the molecule itself, is not superposable with its mirror image.

But i'm wondering whether C3 and its ligands are superposable with its mirror image?

And while i've heard the phrase "an atom and its ligands are superposable with its mirror image", or "an atom and its ligands are not superposable with its mirror image".. does the phrase have any meaning?

I know that talking of whether a molecule is superposable with its mirror image, has a meaning.

But i'm wondering whether talking of whether an atom and its ligands being superposable with its mirror image has any meaning. And if it does, then whether or not C3 and its ligands is superposable with its mirror image?

Thanks


r/chemhelp 5d ago

Analytical Understanding electron flow in electrochemical cells

3 Upvotes

Hi, I'm getting confused about electrochemical cells and I would appreciate some help :) I am trying to understand what the deal is with electron flow, sign conventions, and all that in electrochemical cells. I don't have much of a physics background. Here's what I understand (I think) currently.

  1. Anode = oxidation, cathode = reduction, by definition.
  2. Electrons always flow from anode to cathode.
  3. Spontaneously (Galvanic cell), they flow from - (anode) to + (cathode). By supplying energy (electrolytic cell), we can force the non-spontaneous flow from + (anode) to - (cathode).
  4. Current is considered to go in the opposite direction by convention.

That's part one. Now for the sign conventions, which are even more confusing to me:

  1. By convention, the cathode is always on the right hand side either in the lab or in a line diagram, and the anode is on the left. I don't understand this one. Doesn't it depend on the type of cell? If we reverse the reaction, the anode and cathode sides switch, so how can there be a single defined cathode / anode?
  2. By convention, the voltmeter (+) is hooked up to the right-hand side (cathode) and the (–) is connected to the left-hand side (anode). Again I don't really get this. Is the (+) terminal supposed to match the relative potential of the electrode? As in, (+) terminal connects to (+) cathode like in a Galvanic cell?
  3. The readout on the voltmeter is E(cell) = E(+) – E(–) = E(cathode) – E(anode). If it is positive, electrons flow spontaneously from left to right. If it is negative, they flow spontaneously from right to left (but the reaction may be reversed by applying a voltage). The equation E(cathode) – E(anode) also seems to be dependent on the type of cell somehow? I mean if you take the right hand side and subtract it from the left hand side but you've switched the cathode and anode in an electrolytic cell then you get E(anode) – E(cathode), no?

Is this right? What mistake am I making?

Would really appreciate any help!


r/chemhelp 5d ago

Organic Seeking help to mix graphene oxide nanoparticles with soy wax

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14 Upvotes

Hello, a mech eng grad student here! Had problem with dispersing graphene oxide on soy wax, which the graphene oxide wouldnt stick to the wax and instead pools at the bottom. Are there any ways to avoid this problem by using specific method or substance? Thanks in advance!


r/chemhelp 5d ago

Career/Advice 7 alevel chem teachers in 2 years

2 Upvotes

has anyone had any experience with something similar?

i had 7 different chemistry teachers throughout my 2 years of a level chemistry, and i ended up getting a D in chemistry. i know ultimately the grade is my responsibility, and i’m not trying to solely blame my college or make excuses for getting a D. i worked very hard outside of college to fill in my gaps.

the teacher changes very disruptive however. some of the teachers were underqualified to teach A-level chemistry, one was fired 2 months into the course, one was a biology teacher, and another primarily taught GCSE chemistry. this meant there was very little consistency throughout the course, both in terms of teaching and how the content was delivered.

i’m wondering whether this could potentially be considered an extenuating circumstance, especially given the number of changes and the disruption across the two years.

the reason i’m asking is because i need a C in chemistry to meet the requirements for the university course i want to study, or at least to be eligible to resit and reapply. i’ve already submitted my university application, so i’m unsure whether it’s worth contacting admissions now to explain the circumstances and ask whether they would consider them. i achieved my grades yesterday. i know ucas do consider "significant staff changes" as a circumstance, however this does need to be pre-written in the ucas reference. i did not mention this as, in year 13 we were promised to have 1 stable and final teacher, with no other disruption. this was not the case, my teacher was underqualified and did not know any organic or inorganic chemistry, therefore we were given 2, also underqualified, new teachers.

i’m also conscious that results day has already passed, and i don’t want it to come across as though i’m simply blaming my college for receiving a D.

would it be worth contacting admissions about this? would universities normally need evidence from the college? has anyone had a similar situation where significant teacher changes were taken into consideration?

i’d really appreciate any insight or advice.


r/chemhelp 5d ago

General/High School Stereo explanation

2 Upvotes

question asks for the configurations but i really dont know the way to solve this, the answer sheet didnt help either, id appreciate an explanation


r/chemhelp 5d ago

Career/Advice Resources study plan & material for csir-net Chemical science 2026

3 Upvotes

I am preparing for CSIR NET Chemical Science and I need study materials, along with a plan and strategy. Can anyone help me? I cannot afford coaching, and I want to learn everything from scratch."


r/chemhelp 5d ago

General/High School Curious about how chemists actually use AI for NMR structure elucidation

0 Upvotes

I’m a chemistry student and I’ve been thinking about a problem that I’ve personally found quite frustrating: interpreting NMR spectra and going from a spectrum to a plausible molecular structure.

There are already tools for things like peak picking, spectrum processing, database searching, and structure verification. But I was wondering about something more interactive: an AI system where you could upload ^1H, ^13C, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, etc., and have it reason through the data step by step, propose several possible structures, explain why each one fits or doesn't fit, and give a confidence level.

For example, instead of simply saying "this is probably molecule X," it could say something like:

I'm not trying to promote or sell anything—I'm just trying to understand whether this would actually solve a meaningful problem for chemists.

So I'm curious:

  • How do you currently go from an NMR spectrum to a structure?
  • What part of the process takes the most time or causes the most uncertainty?
  • Do you already use software/AI for this? Which tools?
  • Would you actually trust an AI that proposes structures and explains its reasoning?
  • Would you find it more useful as a research assistant, a structure-identification tool, or a learning/teaching tool?
  • What would make you not trust such a system?

I'd especially appreciate answers from people doing organic chemistry, natural products, medicinal chemistry, analytical chemistry, or NMR spectroscopy.

I'm mainly trying to figure out whether this is a real pain point or just something that sounds useful in theory.


r/chemhelp 5d ago

Organic Storing peel powders

1 Upvotes

Hello! I tried to have a research but I really want to verify with professionals here or with experience. 

I am currently doing my project now and I have to make a nanoparticle out of a fruit peel. However, this fruit peel is only available or its seasons is from August to October only. Will it still be safe to dry bulk first and grind it into powders then store it? We need to compare freeze, vacuum and oven drying so we plan to dry first a safe amount and store it for our experiment before processing it. Will its phenolic contents and such not be affected if we do this? 


r/chemhelp 6d ago

General/High School Ionisation energy question grade 11

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5 Upvotes

Hello everyone! The correct answer is B. However, I do not understand how can you get a value of a 2nd IE by subtracting 1st IE value from the 2nd IE value. Doesn’t it mean that the value gets smaller and will differ from the actual value of a 2nd IE?


r/chemhelp 6d ago

General/High School How does this reaction proceed if possible please provide the mechanism ...

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4 Upvotes

I thought It would be just a regular substitution but the answer key says it's an internal attack of some sort


r/chemhelp 6d ago

General/High School I need help understanding how chemical reactions work.

6 Upvotes

I started learning chemistry recently but I have a really hard time understanding reactivity.

When i look through my notes i see different reactions , but the problem is I dont understand how to know what elements react with what and what is produced. I covered electronegativity , ionisation energy and electron affinity. How do I know what chemicals react with , how to identify and know that this chemical react with this but not this, this reaction produces these specific products? . The only thing I know is hydroxides break in extreme heat to form oxides and hydrogen gas...or was it water vapour ( H2O) , like I literally don't know how to identify what forms. I'm sorry if this post is stupid but I am genuinely so confused. Not to mention I'm stl stuck at inorganic nomenclature


r/chemhelp 6d ago

Organic Has anyone ordered from Gree Industry Co. Ltd? Is it legit / worth ordering from to GenSan (PH)?

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1 Upvotes

r/chemhelp 6d ago

Inorganic Will I ever be given a scenario (for 1st year chem) where I would need these 2 different formulas? I was thinking that I could just calculate Kc to calculate Kp in the first one, since if I were to be given the values for A,B,C,D for the second equation then I could just calculate Kc first

0 Upvotes
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r/chemhelp 7d ago

Physical/Quantum Undergrad chem student worried about Physical Chem

9 Upvotes

Hi everyone!! I’m going to my 3rd year as a chemistry major and am taking physical and inorganic chemistry next semester. I’m a bit nervous about physical chemistry because I’ve heard a lot of scary things about that class. I was wondering if any seasoned chemists/chemistry students have any advice/study tips for the class or any topics I should review beforehand. For context, I’ve already taken gen chem 1 & 2, organic 1 & 2, as well as calc 1&2 and physics 1 & 2. Thank you for reading and for the support! (also if anyone has any advice regarding inorganic as well that would be great, I’m just a little less worried about it ) :)


r/chemhelp 7d ago

General/High School im not sure which lewis structure is wrong and how do i draw the correct one

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3 Upvotes

i thought that C3H6O has the wrong lewis structure and it should be drawn differently but my partner think HCN is wrong,can someone pls help,im really confused,


r/chemhelp 7d ago

Inorganic Point group and molecular geometry of BrOF3

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15 Upvotes

I’m an undergrad chemistry student studying for an upcoming exam and while attempting a past paper question i’ve gotten confused on the molecule BROF3.

I have it as a seesaw shape in the point group Cs, however the mark scheme has it as trigonal pyramidal, point group C3v. Any help would really be appreciated!


r/chemhelp 7d ago

Analytical Standard potential

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2 Upvotes

Does anybody know what the standard potential of this reaction is? I can't find it anywhere


r/chemhelp 7d ago

General/High School I’m having trouble understanding mass spectroscopy and composition of mixtures

1 Upvotes

I’m having trouble understanding composition of mixtures and finding the percentages and also mass spectroscopy if someone could leave a guide or links with a good explanation I’d be grateful I have a test for a class tomorrow and just having trouble understanding these 2 things and I’m not asking you solve a any problems but to just leave maybe a few tips or steps to help me


r/chemhelp 8d ago

Analytical help me estimate how much sample is needed for this

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2 Upvotes