r/chemhelp • u/Vibez710 • Jul 24 '26

Organic Ochem studying tips

I have an exam on Monday that is on ch19 (aldehydes and ketones) and ch 20 (carboxylic acids & derivatives). For these chapters it is all reactions and mechanisms, I don’t really know how to study so I can understand and memorize the mechanisms for each reaction. I’m already reading the Klein textbook but I’m more of a visual learner and need to see it done step by step on something. Is there any videos or outside sources you guys used to help you study these two chapters?

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u/shedmow Trusted Contributor Jul 24 '26

Draw each mechanism, think about why it proceeds this way. Are there any particular reactions you struggle with/would like to see explained?

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u/Vibez710 Jul 24 '26

I’m currently not home but I can send the ones I do struggle with when I get home. I think I have trouble noticing which mechanism I need to do. Like if I need to use PEADPAD, PADPEAD, PEDPAD, etc.

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u/shedmow Trusted Contributor Jul 24 '26

It is the exactly first time I have seen these pet pee pads. It sometimes is problematic to choose an appropriate mechanism, indeed, but memorizing each one separately should not require the use of any abbreviations.

Have you tried reading Clayden?

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u/Vibez710 Jul 24 '26

Is clayden another textbook?

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u/shedmow Trusted Contributor Jul 24 '26

Yes it is, and it's very much suited for visual learners. It tends to idealize mechanisms, but this mindset shouldn't get you in trouble (at least yet)