Day 32 - Repetition

Whilst on the bus this morning, I completed the second problem set: "Thermodynamic or Kinetic Product?". After this problem set, you'll never forget what product the bases LDA & NaOEt produce.

These past two problem sets have been very repetitive. It's just pure drilling concepts into your head until it stays there. I don't really like that style of learning because it can be a waste of time for simple concepts, but I think it's good to have those hardcore sniper-like intuitions because then you can quickly synthesize products on paper.

I constantly think of what a chemist's toolbox looks like. For example, knowing that the base NaOEt will give you the thermodynamic product and that LDA will give you the kinetic product is a tool. As such, knowing that acyl chlorides are more reactive than esters, which are more reactive than acids, which are more reactive than amides, is also a tool. 

Once you've got these tools, you can build a simple synthesis. If you accumulate more and more tools, you can start to build more complicated products. Makes sense, right?

Speed is another dimension. It depends on whether your tool is an off-brand-flee-market type or a Black&Decker beast. They both do the same thing, but one might be light years faster.

Doing these repetitive hardcore machine-gunning problem sets is going to help speed up your tool.

Learn the theory to create your tool, then practice practice practice to turn it into a Black&Decker monster. Do that for every tool, and you've created for yourself a savage arsenal. 

Today's Tune: Arab Trap Mix Volume 4
Cya!