Life Lessons, Courtesy of Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry (n.)
A branch of chemistry that involves two hours of practice per night, multiple textbooks and solutions manuals, and biweekly blood sacrifices by its disciples. Not to be taken lightly.
Sounds like a pain in the rump, si?
Well, like all sciences, I believe there is at least a smidgen of wisdom hidden behind all the curmudgery. I mean, if every branch of knowledge is connected by the Theory of Everything, then organic chemistry can share a thread with philosophy, right?
So I’m up late doing resonance structures when I stumble upon something I find quite profound (pats self on back).
In classical high school chemistry, students are given chemical structures of the well known molecules. The bonds are drawn as straight lines, and we are told oxygen makes two bonds, carbon four, and so on. When we get to higher chemistry, however, we learn that reality is, as always, a little trickier.
(“When is the life lesson coming?!” Patience, grasshopper). In a double bond, there are four electrons between the two atoms. Say in a classical molecule, there is a double bond between a carbon and an oxygen. See it in your head? A double bond between carbon and oxygen.
Well, two electrons in that bond can jump off the double bond and land on oxygen. Now you have a single bond from carbon and a negative charge on carbon. Here’s where you jump out of your seat in indignation and say “That’s not the same molecule! That’s not the right way to draw it!”
You would be right on both counts. No, that’s not exactly the same molecule, and no that’s not the ‘right’ way to draw it. But we know oxygen can have a negative charge and it can be in a double bond with carbon. So, like the adorable Mexican girl in the taco ad, why can’t we have both?
Resonance means the true form of the molecule is not one or the other, but a blend of both. Most importantly, not every resonance structure plays an equal role in the ‘final’ form (this is important). Those that take electrons away from oxygen aren’t as favored, so they’ll play a tiny role. Those that give to oxygen will play a bigger role.
Okay, no more chemistry from here.
Well, I think these chemical compounds and human beings share a lot of traits, especially the notion of resonance. Namely, people have resonance structures.
See, resonance can be a real poo to understand at first because we like our lines crisp and fine. It’s this or it’s that, man. Don’t tell me it’s this intermediate I can’t see.
Take a moment to define yourself. Can you write with pen? If you write ‘extrovert’, are you 100% extrovert? Are you a hypocrite if you choose to spend a Saturday night in?
Or is one resonance structure extrovert, one resonance structure introvert, and your true form is the average of both of these structures?
Maybe one resonance contributor is better than the other. You’re 90% extrovert, but you have those ‘me’ nights. Or you’re 90% introvert, but are fine opening up to fellow Dr. Who fans.
This theory also says that we should lend others the courtesy of resonance, as well. Our parents have resonances as individuals, men and women, resonances that have nothing to do with being parents. They can be as complex as us. Our friends could be trying something new, and the change might be startling at first, but it’s just a new resonance structure. The only constant is change, right?
We’re all filled with thousands of resonance structures. One structure loves doing things for others, one structure is all about having things done for themselves. One thinks you have the most ridiculously amazing smile ever, the other is too shy to do it for a camera.
To pen down one structure is oversimplifying to the point of futility. No, there isn’t one structure! There are thousands. Every kind act you’ve done, every beautiful moment you’ve shared with your friend, every major accomplishment, every crippling failure, they’ve all contributed to who you are.
So organic chemistry does have something to offer the philosophy majors out there, but I don’t know how well this post will prepare you for the test. After all, as exciting as this may be, the test will only ask for the major structure.
I hope insight was as enlightening to read as it was to stumble upon.
Organic chemistry is the study of chemistry involving carbon atoms. From an academic perspective, however, I would argue it’s the study of electron exchange. As my professor, Robert Ternansky said, it’s all about unequal distribution of electrons. Almost all chemistry revolves around these infinitesimally small charges of energy. Understanding where electrons move, how they’re allowed to move, and where they are most stable is the bulk of organic chemistry. Its applications are far reaching, and even if it may not apply to my future career, I found the problem solving skills I learnt from this course tremendously valuable.
