I have been involved in industrial chemical research (including pharmaceutical and biotech)for over 20 years. I have instructed technicians and chemists alike and have made presentations at major industrial meetings. I have a publication in a leading analytical journal and am co-inventor on a patent in synthetic chemistry.

I struggled with organic chemistry early on, until I realized the key is "don't memorize". Of course, some basic rules should be so well-entrenched that they become alm...