Experienced Science Tutor: Enhancing Learning through Life Science, Astronomy, and Environmental Science with Hands-On Activities.

Simran and I.N. discussed nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr), explaining why SN1 and SN2 are generally not viable on aromatic halides. SNAr proceeds via an addition-elimination mechanism, requiring strong electron-withdrawing groups (like nitro) in the ortho or para positions to stabilize the intermediate. Fluorine is the best leaving group in SNAr, and nucleophile addition is the rate-limiting step. The discussion also covers the use of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNP) to identify aldehydes and ketones. The next topic will be antibiotic synthesis.

Simran is tutoring I.N. in organic chemistry, focusing on sigmatropic rearrangements (Cope and Claisen) and cycloadditions (including 1,3-dipolar and Diels-Alder). They work through practice problems, emphasizing numbering, mechanism, bond formation/breaking, stereochemistry (endo rule), and restoring aromaticity. They plan to cover SN_Het reactions next.

Simran tutored Leilani, reviewing carbohydrate chemistry, including sugar structures, glycosidic linkages, and cellulose. They covered reaction mechanisms like acyl nucleophilic substitution and saponification, as well as liposome structure. The session also included amino acid chemistry, focusing on isoelectric points and peptide hydrolysis, and concluded with a discussion of aromaticity and nucleic acids. Simran helped Leilani work through practice problems to prepare for her exam.

Simran tutored Leilani, reviewing organic chemistry concepts from past papers in preparation for an exam. They covered Fisher projections, reducing sugars, glycosidic linkages, reaction mechanisms (ester hydrolysis, SN1/SN2), and redox reactions. They also discussed the reactivity of aldehydes and ketones, and Lewis structures.

Simran tutored Yasika on molecular orbital theory, including SP mixing, bond order calculations, and determining stability and magnetism. They worked through example problems involving molecules like O2 and F2 ions. The session also covered Lewis structures, resonance, and determining electron and molecular geometry, using the perchlorate anion and other molecules as examples. They scheduled a follow-up session next week to discuss equilibrium equations.

Simran tutored I N on pericyclic reactions, focusing on Diels-Alder reactions, ozonolysis, and click chemistry, including reaction mechanisms and stereochemical considerations. They discussed the application of click chemistry in DNA labeling for cell cycle analysis. I N was assigned practice questions on 2+3 dipolar cycloaddition, and the next session will cover sigmatropic rearrangements and related practice problems.