Chemistry in a Nutshell

Chemistry in a Nutshell is run by a PhD chemist and educator with about a decade of experience teaching at universities and colleges.

Most videos are filmed on a lightboard, so the teacher writes on glass while facing the camera. Lessons focus on step by step methods: reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, structure drawing and lab techniques. There are also exam preparation videos and stories from the history of chemistry. The tone is calm and organised, aimed at helping students build reliable methods rather than memorise. Some exam preparation targets American and Indian tests, but the core methods apply to any chemistry course.

Some highlights include:

An overview of the four basic patterns behind organic reaction mechanisms.

A guide to telling SN1, SN2, E1 and E2 reactions apart, a common sticking point for students.

The story of chemist Karen Wetterhahn and the dimethylmercury accident that changed lab safety.

Chemistry in a Nutshell has over 34,000 subscribers.

Organic chemistry is central to chemical engineering, pharmaceuticals and materials. These lessons map well onto A level chemistry, and the lab technique videos show the practical skills used in industry. The story of the dimethylmercury accident is a powerful lesson in why engineers take safety so seriously. A good way into chemical engineering or a chemistry degree.