MCAT "patterns" in organic chemistry

[mariposas905]

Just realized how easy it was to solve this question by following the "pattern" of the reaction and physically drawing it out. I could have gotten it right even though I am not so familiar with aldol, Robinson annulation, Michael addition etc.

Are most of the organic chem questions on the MCAT like this? Can they be solved by "patterns?"

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[Black Mamba Gene]

can't see half the page

 

[Zenabi90]

Thats the secret to organic chemistry. All of those fancy reaction names are basically shortcuts for complex reaction chains. Everything comes down to a few basic principles.