Organic Chemistry: IR/NMR

I revisited this topic when studying for the DAT. Chad’s videos listed in the Organic Chemistry Tools article will help a lot. SRS is handy here for memorizing the frequencies for IR and NMR, which is the really difficult part of the topic.

IR

SRS cards should be made for all of the relevant bonds for the course.

Front: C=O IR Frequency: […]

Back: C=O IR Frequency: 1700

Front: N-H IR Frequency: […]

Back: N-H IR Frequency: 3400

 

As a bonus it would be great to even include an example picture in the answer field. Especially useful for distinct bonds like a carboxylic –OH, aromatic waves around 2000, and carbonyl.

Instead of just throwing an IR spectrum into the question field and requiring an answer, try putting an IR spectrum in with an arrow (can be done in MS-paint) asking for the structure it is referring to. This follows the idea of breaking information up into smaller pieces.

I still advocate doing practice problems for IR. It is strange at first and becomes natural with time. Again, the hardest part is memorizing the frequencies.

NMR

Same idea as the IR to memorize all of the frequencies. Also include example problems.

Front: 

               […#] C NMR Peaks

Back:

               4 C NMR Peaks

             Identical carbons

Front:

               […#] H NMR peaks

Back:

              5 H NMR peaks

 

If it seems like it would take a long time to make these cards, the time is quickly made up given how fast the strong memory is made – and how easy it is to review. A small effort now gives back many times over with SRS. Also, making the cards is part of the learning process!

Putting NMR graph examples into the SRS may help. Maybe someone could try it out and post in the comments how it goes.

This covers IR/NMR. Have some more helpful tips? Leave a comment and let us know.

Table of Contents

Related posts:

1. Organic Chemistry: Stereochemistry
2. Organic Chemistry: General
3. DAT: General Chemistry
4. DAT: Introduction
5. DAT: Organic Chemistry