Organic chemistry misconceptions

To some individuals, especially those who recall their experiences in organic chemistry laboratory, the ultimate step in purification of a molecule is crystallization. The desire to obtain crystalline protein has long been strong and many proteins have been crystallized. However, there is a common misconception that the ability to form crystals of a protein ensures that the protein is homogeneous. For many reasons (entrapment of contaminants within crystals, aggregation of protein molecules, etc.), the ability to crystallize a protein should not be used as a criterion of purity. The interest in pro-... 

Students misconceptions about organic chemistry are less well documented than those for other parts of the subject. Aspects of the topic they are likely to find difficult are described. 

Zoller, U. (1990). Students misunderstandings and misconceptions in college freshman chemistry (General and Organic). Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 27(10), 1053-1065. 

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