JCE Software, 9B1: COS

COS: Organic Reaction Drills Based Upon Collective Organic Syntheses

Victor I. Bendall
Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY 40475

Note:
This program is out of print, but is available for free download by Journal of Chemical Education subscribers.
Go to the download page.

The eight volumes of Collective Organic Syntheses (1) contain about 2200 tested recipes for the production of high quality compounds in acceptable yields. Every organic chemist is expected to be at least somewhat familiar with the contents of these volumes. Familiarity with these syntheses is usually acquired by attempting to memorize their salient features or, preferably by doing the syntheses themselves.
The COS software allows students to test their knowledge of the reaction sequences described in detail in Collective Organic Syntheses, Volumes 18. This program is not intended for beginning students in organic chemistry. It is appropriate for graduate students or experienced organic chemists.

Example synthesis question and response from COS: Organic Synthesis Drills.

The program contains 2116 questions divided into drills of about 50 questions each. Each question presents starting materials(s) and reagent(s) used. Four compounds are displayed and the user is invited to choose the one that was the reported product of the reaction sequence. When a correct choice is made, the name used by Collective Organic Syntheses for that product is displayed along with the percentage yield.
Some incorrect choices represent minor products of the reactions and appropriate comments are given. Other choices are compounds that were not reported, but might well have been expected based upon reasonable reaction mechanisms consistent with the reactants. But there are also choices that could come only from fantastic transformations, incredible rearrangements, or amazing ring closures. Comments with these vary from No to the inclusion of helpful hints. No other detailed help is provided except that each question shows the page and volume number of Collective Organic Syntheses from which the question was derived. A scoring algorithm is included for the student's convenience, but the results are not recorded or saved.
Hardware and Software Requirements
Programs in Series B of JCE: Software require an IBM PC-compatible microcomputer with 640K RAM, a hard disk, one floppy disk drive, and VGA or better graphics. DOS 5.0 or greater is required.
In addition to the above, COS requires a hard disk with approximately 5.75 MB space.
Literature Cited

Organic Syntheses, Collective Volumes 18; Wiley: New York, 1932-1993.

First Published: June 1996
Citation: Bendall, V. I. . COS: Organic Reaction Drills Based Upon Collective Organic Syntheses J. Chem. Educ. Software 9B1
Keywords: Computer Room; Advanced Organic; Organic Syntheses

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Last Updated: April 26, 2001
Created: December 4, 1996 Created by: J. L. Holmes
Comments to: jceonline@chem.wisc.edu

© 1997 Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.



COS: Organic Reaction Drills Based Upon Collective Organic Syntheses
Victor I. Bendall Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY 40475

Note:	This program is out of print, but is available for free download by Journal of Chemical Education subscribers. Go to the download page.

The eight volumes of Collective Organic Syntheses (1) contain about 2200 tested recipes for the production of high quality compounds in acceptable yields. Every organic chemist is expected to be at least somewhat familiar with the contents of these volumes. Familiarity with these syntheses is usually acquired by attempting to memorize their salient features or, preferably by doing the syntheses themselves. The COS software allows students to test their knowledge of the reaction sequences described in detail in Collective Organic Syntheses, Volumes 18. This program is not intended for beginning students in organic chemistry. It is appropriate for graduate students or experienced organic chemists. Example synthesis question and response from COS: Organic Synthesis Drills. The program contains 2116 questions divided into drills of about 50 questions each. Each question presents starting materials(s) and reagent(s) used. Four compounds are displayed and the user is invited to choose the one that was the reported product of the reaction sequence. When a correct choice is made, the name used by Collective Organic Syntheses for that product is displayed along with the percentage yield. Some incorrect choices represent minor products of the reactions and appropriate comments are given. Other choices are compounds that were not reported, but might well have been expected based upon reasonable reaction mechanisms consistent with the reactants. But there are also choices that could come only from fantastic transformations, incredible rearrangements, or amazing ring closures. Comments with these vary from No to the inclusion of helpful hints. No other detailed help is provided except that each question shows the page and volume number of Collective Organic Syntheses from which the question was derived. A scoring algorithm is included for the student's convenience, but the results are not recorded or saved. Hardware and Software Requirements Programs in Series B of JCE: Software require an IBM PC-compatible microcomputer with 640K RAM, a hard disk, one floppy disk drive, and VGA or better graphics. DOS 5.0 or greater is required. In addition to the above, COS requires a hard disk with approximately 5.75 MB space. Literature Cited Organic Syntheses, Collective Volumes 18; Wiley: New York, 1932-1993.


News \| Issues \| CD-ROM / Video \| Find It! \| Technical Support \| For Authors
JCE Online \| Journal \| Software \| Internet \| Happenings \| About JCE \| Contact JCE

Last Updated: April 26, 2001 Created: December 4, 1996	Created by: J. L. Holmes Comments to: jceonline@chem.wisc.edu

© 1997 Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.