[Nfb-science] Organic Chemistry

[Andrew Wai]

I never found the ball-and-stick models to be particularly useful. They 
are very slow to construct and, because of the flexible bonds, make 
understanding conformational changes difficult. I used a model set from 
a Japanese company--something like this 
http://www.hgs-model.com/model/index.html. I would get comfortable with 
being able to visualize and manipulate molecular structures mentally. 
Mass and IR spectra should not be too much of a problem because you 
usually just need to know a few obvious features, which can be quickly 
described by a reader. NMR is more difficult. I used readers for these 
too (so you are dependent on your reader being basically competent), but 
you might consider producing tactile graphics.

Good luck,

Andrew