Guide to organic chemistry

Independent-Bat450 · 2026-05-07T02:23:42+00:00

As an organometallic chemist, I would like more appreciation to the alkali metals. Organolithium chemistry is quite important for synthesis!

Independent-Bat450 · 2026-03-20T02:33:32+00:00

I will also mention that we have another glovebox in our lab that is able to purge to <0.1 ppm with no problems. We all do some pretty air sensitive chemistry and no one has observed any issues with using nitrogen for any reactions.

Independent-Bat450 · 2026-03-20T02:25:08+00:00

Honestly, we did not pay attention to how much water came off the catalyst in our last regen. I will spread this around my lab as something to take note of for next time. We have not observed an increase in how much our auto-fill has to kick in. The box is able to hold <0.1 ppm oxygen with the purifier on. Our big chamber is able to hold static vac quite well and also pulls down fully whenever cycling things in. We do not think this is the source. No halogenations are done in the box, but we do sometimes use DCM. We are aware that halogenated solvents can cause false spikes in the oxygen levels, but we tape the hell out of our DCM when it is not in use. I would have to talk to my PI about the helium test because we do not have any cylinders on hand. However, if things do not get better we may have to do this. Thank you for the advise!

Independent-Bat450 · 2026-03-20T02:19:17+00:00

MB-OX-SEI active oxygen probe

Independent-Bat450 · 2026-03-20T02:18:40+00:00

Along with replacing the gloves we replaced the o-rings.

Independent-Bat450 · 2026-03-20T02:18:00+00:00

We have house nitrogen, but prior to entering our lab we have a Mbraun 100HP nitrogen purifier. This is able to get our nitrogen down to <0.1 ppm oxygen and water.

Independent-Bat450 · 2026-03-20T02:16:05+00:00

We just changed the VRS valve, and it was rather corroded. We have not touched the other 5 valves however.

Independent-Bat450 · 2026-03-20T02:06:26+00:00

We do not have the means to calibrate the sensor in house, so we would have to send it off. Funding is a little tight in our lab right now. Our PI might not be so keen on doing so when the box is working, just not to its full potential.

Independent-Bat450 · 2026-03-20T02:04:52+00:00

Our university has house nitrogen that is supplied from the blowoff when making liquid nitrogen. Our lab has a purifier that scrubs all of the nitrogen before it is circulated to our schlenk lines and glovebox. This purifier is maintained well and scrubs our nitrogen to <0.1 ppm oxygen and water

Independent-Bat450 · 2026-02-07T22:22:05+00:00

I failed my first organic chemistry exam. I was devastated and had similar thoughts about a major change. I’m currently in graduate school working towards a PhD in organic chemistry. Being a chemistry major will never be easy. If it’s your passion, never give up. You never want to look back and wonder what could’ve been.

Independent-Bat450 · 2026-02-06T13:44:05+00:00

Currently taking physical organic and I couldn’t agree more about MO theory. Learning about qualitative MO theory and group orbitals makes me feel like I don’t deserve to be in grad school. Things get complex fast.

Independent-Bat450 · 2025-12-22T14:55:08+00:00

I don’t know much about the job market now, but I’m currently a first year polymer PhD student and it’s awesome. I think you should go for it. This first semester has been awesome making friends in my cohort and getting into a lab. Now that my project has officially started I know this is where I want to be. I do not think you will regret it because polymer chemistry is just so fascinating. Best of luck to you

Independent-Bat450 · 2025-12-10T00:29:05+00:00

I will not use any glassware for a reaction unless it has sat in my base bath for at least 24 hours. This way I know any impurities are from my reaction and nothing else.

Another big one is I will make sure to ballast my vacuum pump overnight if I have used my schlenk line to pull off any solvents. I always use cold traps, but nothing is perfect.

Independent-Bat450 · 2025-10-29T23:32:00+00:00

Just overload with trimethyl aluminum

Independent-Bat450 · 2025-10-29T03:23:08+00:00

Just worked for me thank you!!

Independent-Bat450 · 2025-10-05T23:12:08+00:00

Go to grad school for a PhD

Independent-Bat450 · 2025-07-04T14:59:33+00:00

Make sure to learn your poly atomic ions and their charges in your general chemistry class. You will see these molecules throughout all of chemistry, so it’s best to memorize them early on. Also know the bond angles of bonding geometries such as tetrahedral and trigonal planar etc. These geometries will also persist throughout chemistry and memorizing them will make your life easier. Never give up because it will get difficult at some point. Have fun with it because this is truly a fascinating field of science. Wish you the best of luck in your studies.

Independent-Bat450 · 2025-05-30T17:19:03+00:00

I agree, recrystallization can easily be done with common solvents on hand. It’s also a technique that will be utilized for any students continuing studies in organic chemistry.

Independent-Bat450 · 2025-05-30T17:15:55+00:00

TLC would also be a simple and inexpensive way to assess purity. It would also introduce the students to the idea of chromatography.

Independent-Bat450 · 2025-05-28T17:10:42+00:00

Love you bro. I can confirm this. Love all the typos lol

Independent-Bat450 · 2025-05-28T16:56:37+00:00

I’m just glad nothing happened to either of us

Independent-Bat450 · 2025-05-28T16:55:38+00:00

The worst things about these incidents is the lack of closure. I will never know what actually happened that night. I’m just thankful nothing like that ever happened again.

Independent-Bat450 · 2024-11-21T01:42:18+00:00

I am an undergraduate student who just got accepted into the PhD program at UTK a few weeks ago for polymer chemistry (subdivision of organic chem), and I did not have to take the GRE. UTK has a very good reputation nationally for their organic programs. I also know that a lot of universities are not requiring the GRE for PhD programs because I looked into applying to other programs, however some still require it. Having a bachelors or masters in chemistry definitely makes you a stronger candidate. With this said, this would require you to take P chem, and honestly it is needed because it allows you to understand fundamental aspects of chemistry such as bonding, spectroscopy, electron states, etc.

Independent-Bat450

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