Is total energy always higher than potential energy? (No. It can also be equal, which means that the system does not move along that specific reaction coordinate. - GS).

Would you be able to explain NMR coupling strength between axial and equatorial hydrogens once more? How do you know which hydrogens will couple? (Axial H with an axial H at the adjacent carbon will couple the strongest, because the dihedral angle is 180o. Axial and equatorial hydrogens or equatorial and equatorial hydrogens also couple, but much weaker, because of the less favorable dihedral angle. - GS).   Thanks.

Would you be able to explain what a meso-form is? Is it just an achiral molecule? (Almost. It is an achiral molecule with chiral centers - GS). Thanks.

Does electronegative atoms cause shielding or deshielding of the atoms near it? (Deshielding, because shielding is caused by electrons. - GS). If there is deshielding then it is upfield and there is less of a chemical shift and if there’s shielding it’s more downfield and has more of a chemical shift correct? Am I backwards on this or do I have it correct? Thanks. (It is backwards, because shielding requires more field to overcome the shielding, so it is upfield. - GS).

If something is a triplet there are two coupling partners correct? (Yes, but the partners must be equivalent. - GS).

How do you assign octane ratings? (It is the percentage of isooctane in its mixture with n-heptane that has same resistance to detonation as the tested fuel. - GS).  

In class you said that eclipsed doesn’t always have higher energy and gave one example on when that wasn’t true. When there are hydroxide ions and hydrogen ions next to each other is when it isn’t true? (No. Those ions do not have valency to be attached to the carbon backbone, but other ions will work. - GS).