How Hard is Organic Chemistry?

While organic chemistry is a subject many students enjoy and find interesting, it has a reputation of being one of the hardest STEM subjects. It’s sometimes called the “pre-med killer” because it causes many students pursuing medical school to switch their major.

Though it takes up only six to 12 questions on the MCAT, organic chemistry, often called “orgo” or “ochem,” can cause many students to struggle and lose hope. Organic chemistry is a difficult subject because it needs a solid chemistry base and logical understanding, but it can be mastered.

The goal of organic chemistry is to understand the structure and reactivity of organic molecules. It’s a highly interdisciplinary science that uses both chemical and physical properties of matter to address questions in biology, materials science, and physics.

Organic chemistry can be summarized as the study of carbon-containing compounds in covalent bonding. It allows us to understand the properties and reactions of these compounds. Organic chemistry is used in a variety of real life applications such as the manufacture of rubber, fabrics, pharmaceuticals, and paper.

Organic synthesis is a branch of organic chemistry that involves producing chemical compounds from reactions between smaller molecules. This area of study is also used when observing biological processes and developing new drugs.

In addition, organic chemistry is used to develop and refine methods for analyzing natural products, food, and other substances.

Here, we’ll discuss how difficult organic chemistry is, as well as steps you can take to master this rich subject.

What Exactly Is Organic Chemistry?

In the 18th century, chemists divided their science into two branches:

• Organic chemistry - compounds derived from living sources.
• Inorganic chemistry - compounds from nonliving matter.

It was discovered that organic compounds are made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms bonded together by covalent bonds. These bonds occur when electrons are shared between two atoms.

As a result, a major definition emerged from this era — that organic chemistry is a branch of chemistry that deals with carbon-containing compounds.

It was thought that organic compounds could only be derived from natural sources. This was erroneous. In 1823, German chemist Friedrich Wöhler obtained the natural compound urea from inorganic ammonium cyanate.

Wöhler also observed that ammonium cyanate and urea could be represented by the same molecular formula, CH₄N₂O. This contributed to the coinage of the term “isomerism,” which is the idea that the structural arrangement of atoms can define the substance. Isomers have the same molecular formula, but different structural arrangement of atoms.

For a visualization, see the molecular structures below of three isomers of the molecular formula C3H8O, known as 1-propanol, 2-propanol, and ethyl-methyl ether.

During the 19th century, structural theory emerged from the concept of isomerism in organic chemistry. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, major discoveries pertaining to the behavior of atoms and electrons provided a physics basis for theories of molecular structure and bonding.

A major part of studying organic chemistry is learning how to classify organic compounds, often by their functional groups. Also, representing organic compounds using the desired formulas and structural diagrams is key.

Here is a list of some common organic compounds based on their functional group (alkyl or aryl groups (any hydrocarbon chain, consisting only of carbon and hydrogen atoms, where one or more hydrogens are substituted with a functional group) are abbreviated with R):

Once organic compounds are classified, various organic reactions can be studied. Some of the basic reactions in organic chemistry are:

• Addition – two atoms (or groups) are bonded to a molecule with single (sigma) bonds at the cost of one pi-bond (from a double or triple bond). 
• Elimination – is the opposite of addition – a small molecule (e.g. water) is removed from the starting molecule, to yield one pi-bond (at the cost of two sigma bonds). 
• Substitution – one atom (or functional group) is replaced by another atom (or functional group). This includes reactions like alkylation, acylation, halogenation, hydrolysis, esterification, etc. 
• Rearrangement – an atom (or functional group) moves to a different atom in the molecule to yield a structural isomer of the starting molecule. 
• Oxidation-reduction (redox) – includes movement of electrons from one atom (or molecule or ion) to another, resulting in a change of the oxidation number of that species. 

How Difficult Is Organic Chemistry?

During college, many students are swamped with assignments as well as studying for other courses and simply don’t have the time or energy to dedicate to mastering organic chemistry.

It requires an understanding of a variety of functional groups, reaction mechanisms, bonds, and polarity. While these can be mastered, there can be a steep learning curve.

Studying the various reactions and theory in organic chemistry requires rote learning and memorization. But true understanding goes deeper than that, making the course time-consuming and, for many students, intimidating.

There isn’t much math in organic chemistry, as the subject is largely conceptual. So, what makes organic chemistry so difficult? Simply that the subject requires the application of a variety of organic topics and a development of a student’s intuition and reasoning capabilities.

What Makes Organic Chemistry Difficult?

Theoretical aspects are an important part of organic chemistry. This is because organic reactions are very dependent on the stability of the molecules involved.

For example, the stability of a molecule depends on the bond angles and bond lengths of the molecule. Theoretical concepts are used to predict what will happen when molecules are combined.

Organic chemistry also relies heavily on visualizations and symbols. This layer of abstraction can be difficult for students without a strong base in chemistry. Additionally, it can be hard to distinguish reaction mechanisms.

Students must learn to swiftly visualize and draw the structure of an organic molecule from its formula. For instance, the below molecule is sodium-2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptane-3,5-dionate:

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Organic chemistry is often regarded as the first difficult course that students will encounter where they cannot rely on memorization alone. It also follows a different approach compared to typical science courses.

To make matters more difficult, tests are often multiple choice, or fill-in-the-blank, and don’t leave room for guesswork or semi-correct answers, making it difficult to get partial credit.

For example, here’s a problem that could appear on an exam:

Which atoms in the below reaction would undergo oxidation state changes? Which of the atoms is oxidized and which one is reduced?

2CH₃CH₂OH + 2Na → 2CH₃CH₂ONa + H₂

What Part of Organic Chemistry Is Most Difficult?

There are things that make organic chemistry hard, but there are aspects of it that are relatively easy. Here are some examples of more difficult aspects of organic chemistry.

1. Organic Chemistry Is Logic-Based

Since organic chemistry is based on chemical reactions, there is a strong emphasis on logic. When structural theory is fully understood, the reactions and molecules follow logically. 

Students need to think carefully about how molecules behave and react based on the theories presented in lectures.

It is important to develop an understanding of how molecules can be written as symbols and drawn from their formulas. Students also need to learn how to write chemical formulas using the correct International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) conventions, or they may be penalized during an exam.

They should learn how to use the correct symbols and be able to recognize the correct conventions for each reaction. They also need to learn how to identify the products of a reaction and how to interpret reaction mechanisms.

2. Plenty of Rules (Not Meant to Be Broken)

Organic reactions are not random. They follow rules, and those rules must be followed to ensure that the desired product is obtained.

However, organic reactions are still extremely complicated and students often struggle to figure out which rule applies to a particular reaction. This is because the rules are often implicit and only visible through careful observation.

For example, there are typically four rules governing when resonance can be considered in organic chemistry. A couple of the rules are:

1. Each contributing structure needs to have the same number of unpaired electrons.
2. Each contributing structure needs to have the same net charge and number of electrons, though the formal charge may vary in Lewis structures.

In total, there are eight rules to consider when deciding:

• When resonance can be considered.
• Which resonance form contributes more.
• The effect of resonance.

This is just an example of the many rules that students need to learn how to apply, and why they exist.

3. Knowing Organic Chemistry Terms Is Crucial

The language used in organic chemistry is very different from other sciences. Before they really start studying, students need to have a basic understanding of terms like “electron donating” and “electron withdrawing” in order to understand the structure and reactivity of molecules.

Here are some common sample definitions of terms in organic chemistry:

• Chirality - used to describe an asymmetrical molecule, that cannot be superimposed on its mirror image.
• Electrophile – “electron lover”, a species (an atom with a positive charge, or a partial positive charge) that can receive an electron pair from a nucleophile.
• Enantiomers - used to describe isomers which are mirror images of each other, and are chiral, so they cannot be superimposed.
• Pi-bonds (π-bonds) - used to describe covalent bonds obtained by lateral overlapping of two atomic orbitals, making them weaker than sigma-bonds (σ-bonds).
• Reagents - substances that can facilitate a chemical reaction when combined.
• Unsaturated - an organic molecule that contains at least one pi-bond (a double or a triple bond).

What Aspects of Organic Chemistry Are Easy?

While organic chemistry is challenging for many students, some aspects of this subject are simple.

Here are some of the simplest parts of organic chemistry.

1. There’s Little Math Involved

Organic chemistry is more about chemical principles and logic than it is about math. Organic reactions are straightforward when theories are understood and involve a series of logical steps.

Math is often a subject where science and pre-med students struggle. Math deals with abstract concepts and is represented by symbols, which makes it harder for some students to grasp. Thankfully, in most cases, organic chemistry does not require any math beyond basic arithmetic.

2. Pattern Recognition Can Go a Long Way

If you know what to look for, you can identify patterns in organic compounds and how they interact with each other. Knowing the common patterns in organic compounds can help you recognize what you are seeing.

Rules in organic chemistry are often related to each other as well. Once the patterns are recognized it becomes easier to remember all the rules.

3. A Strong Chemistry Base Makes It Simpler

When studying organic chemistry, you will need to know many different chemical structures. It can be difficult to keep track of all of them, so it is important to have a strong base in chemistry. Once you have a good base in chemistry, you can focus on organic chemistry.

How Much Time Is Needed to Master Organic Chemistry?

There are different levels of organic chemistry. It is taught in high schools, colleges, and universities. For higher education students, dedicating six to eight hours per week can help.

However, time spent studying incorrectly will be of little benefit to students. To learn organic chemistry, continuously do exercises and solve practice exam questions.

The reason that the failure rate is so high in organic chemistry is that people underestimate the amount of effort and time needed to master the subject. In addition, students do not seek proper guidance or adequate explanations of difficult concepts.

Don’t be shy to ask for help when you need it. Ask a professor or organic chemistry tutor to go over difficult concepts with you to increase your understanding.

What’s the Best Way to Prepare for Organic Chemistry?

Consistent and continuous effort is crucial to mastering any subject. Students can also benefit from learning from a variety of sources, but keep in mind that your professor might have slight variances in notation and preferred methods that differ from those sources.

When studying organic chemistry online, keep in mind differences in the nomenclature in different regions and areas of organic chemistry. Studying the recommended textbook from your professor can be a more straightforward approach.

The nomenclature recommended by IUPAC is standard. However, ethanol is often referred to by its common name as ethyl alcohol, even though ethyl alcohol is not the nomenclature recommended by IUPAC.

It is important to know alternate common names as your professor might use them interchangeably.

1. Practice Sheets

The best way to prepare for organic chemistry is by using practice sheets. Practicing organic chem is different from general chemistry courses and other science courses.

It is a good idea to review all of the practice problems provided in class to be prepared for final exams. Make sure you understand the different questions and what they mean.

If you get stuck, first review the question and then the answer provided. If you still cannot understand how to calculate the answer, check your textbook or the lecture notes. If you still don’t know, contact your professor.

To study organic chemistry, you can also practice sample problems in the recommended textbook. You can also use online resources to review practice sheets and practice tests, but these won’t necessarily align with question styles that your professor prefers.

2. Websites and YouTube

The internet is a goldmine when it comes to learning organic chemistry. However, be aware that the resources are not always reliable, and they may not contain all the information your professor requires.

YouTube is one of the best sources of learning a variety of subjects and there are plenty of channels teaching organic chemistry.

3. An Online Tutor

Tutors are a great resource for learning organic chemistry and other subjects. They can help you understand difficult concepts one-on-one and offer advice when you get stuck.

They can help you prepare for exams and assignments and offer specialized guidance according to your areas of weakness. Often, online tutors have experience as teaching assistants in organic chemistry classes and possess insider knowledge about what is needed during an exam.

Online tutors aren’t necessarily restricted by office hours, and they are conveniently available to you from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection.

You Can Do This

The difficulty of organic chemistry depends on your approach. It can be made easier with consistency, time, and hard work — and a little online help. It may be one of the most difficult STEM subjects, but if you’re well prepared, study effectively, and seek help when you need it, you can master organic chemistry.