Remembering/Mnemonics

Organic, General, and Analytical Chemistry

Demystifying Synthetic Organic Laboratory Techniques or 'Not Voodoo X.4'

For everything you ever need to know about synthetic organic chemistry practical advice and tips: http://chem.chem.rochester.edu/~nvd/?page=home

The site 'Not Voodoo X' has just been updated http://www2.chem.rochester.edu/~nvd/new/index.php and the Purification section expanded with Distillation techniques http://www2.chem.rochester.edu/~nvd/new/pages/purification.php?page=purify_distillation and further updates will be added. The latest is ‘Flash Column Chromatography’ http://www2.chem.rochester.edu/~nvd/new/pages/chromatography.php?page=flash_column_tips
Please note: Further updates are being made daily and it's best practice to use the original link to see what changes have been made
http://chem.chem.rochester.edu/~nvd/?page=home and the above 'Not Voodoo X.4' link is only a beta testing version before it's final release.

Another useful US-based Organic, Analytical and General Chemistry learning resource is Chemistry LibreTexts https://chem.libretexts.org/

Of course, don't forget the RSC's own LearnChemistry website http://www.rsc.org/learn-chemistry for excellent resources for learning and teaching.
The RSC interactive Periodic Table app can be accessed from http://www.rsc.org/periodic-table

The latest Synthetic Organic Chemistry iPhone/iPad app to be added is the well-known Organic Syntheses https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/organic-syntheses/id1087152400?mt=8

I wonder how many students have used, use, or wish to add useful mnemonics to remember topics in Chemistry, such as:

'OILRIG' in redox chemistry for Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain of electrons.

'OMSGAPS' for the homologous dicarboxylic acids: Oxalic, Malonic, Succinic, Glutaric, Adipic, Pimelic, and Suberic acids.

'All Altruists Gladly Make Gum In Gallon Tanks' for the aldohexoses: Allose, Altrose, Glucose, Mannose, Gulose, Idose, Galactose, and Talose.

'Sober Physicists Don't Find Giraffes Hiding In Kitchens Like Mine' for spectroscopic and orbital notation: s, p, d, f, g, h, i

Of interest is Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain for the spectral colours red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.

Any more ?

I have also posted this to 'Talk Chemistry' http://my.rsc.org/groups/forums/viewtopic/85/113/4291?post_id=9828#p9828 where there are already some interesting comments, more please.

Posted by Robert Slinn on Feb 16, 2013 3:13 PM Europe/London

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jane mclauchlin

Date Posted: Mar 6, 2013 at 9:05 AM

One I learned for O level (a long time ago... thanks Mr Goodall) for the periodic table from helium to bromine: Here Lies Benjamin Bold, Cry Not O Friends Needlessly, Nature Magnifies All Simple People, Sometimes Clowns. A King Can Scheme Till Vast Crowds Moan, Fear Conquers Nicely Cut Zones, Gave German Asses Sensible Brains.

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Peter Banks

Date Posted: Mar 1, 2013 at 6:46 PM

My favourites are ...

MASH
Metal + Acid --> Salt + Hydrogen

Whenever you see electrolysis you must
PANIC!
Positive Anode Negative Is Cathode

And although its not a mnemonic my favourite has to be from one of my most fun students ever
Cat ions are Paws-ative

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mahalakshmi l

Date Posted: Feb 21, 2013 at 12:10 PM

Some of the mnemonics i have used are:

Monkeys Eat Peanut Butter for the Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl, Butyl

PANCake or PANCard for Positive Anode and Negative Cathode

Bol Aloo Gajar Indian Thali for Group 13 elements

Oh My Sweet Girl Anna Purna- for dicarboxylic acids – Oxalic, Malonic, Succinic, Glutaric and Adipic acid

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