# Backside Attack — Learn key O-Chem Concepts! > Educational game for learning organic chemistry SN2 reactions and related concepts. (iPhone/iPad app by Element26, Inc..) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backside-attack/id1278956096 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Element26, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/973213639) - Category: Education, Games - Price: Free - Rating: 4.90/5 from 74 App Store ratings · 22 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 9.0 · 178 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2018-01-12 - Data updated: 2026-07-04 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backside-attack/id1278956096/reviews.md ## What is Backside Attack? Backside Attack is an educational app targeting students learning organic chemistry for the first time. The game focuses on the SN2 reaction, which is often one of the first reactions students learn when studying organic chemistry. The SN2 reaction is great for educational purposes, as it provides a forum for students to learn about many common variables associated with chemical reactions, such as leaving group ability, nucleophilicity, steric factors, and solvent effects. The Backside Attack project is led by Dr. Neil Garg, an organic chemistry Professor at UCLA. He and six UCLA students (now alumni) devoted countless hours to creating the game flow and all content. The heroic students are: Tara Kappel, Preeya Mehta, William Parsons Stefan Prisacaru, Ernst Schmid, and Justin Soffer. Backside Attack is powered by Element26, Inc., thanks to Dr. Daniel D. Caspi. Students, be sure to: Learn even more and earn points by using the Check Yourself +50 feature on the scoring screen! Unlock the Chem Yourself feature by completing each topic! ## Key features - Learn SN2 reaction mechanics - Explore leaving group ability - Understand nucleophilicity - Analyze steric factors - Study solvent effects - Earn points with Check Yourself +50 - Unlock Chem Yourself feature ## Recent user reviews (10 of 22) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backside-attack/id1278956096/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Amazing app for Sn2 *2025-05-11, version 2.4* This app was very helpful and fun in learning the Sn2 mechanism. ### 5/5 — Amazing perfect sn2 *2025-02-27, version 2.4* This helped fill in many of the gaps in my knowledge of sn2. I hope the developer considers adding at least sn1 e1 and e2 as well! ### 1/5 — Unclear *2023-07-19* This game throws ya’ right in with no tutorial, therefor it is unplayable. Without clear instructions outlining the steps to success in the game my friends and I could not move onto the next level. ### 5/5 — 🤩 *2020-10-15, version 2.3* This is really helpful! I have a short attention span, so making studying a game has helped me tremendously. ### 5/5 — Actually Really Fun *2019-11-30, version 2.0.2* I am failing Organic Chem right now and in a desperate bid to understand something about it, I took to Google for research. Found this app and have been glued to it for the past 40 minutes. It’s surprisingly fun and addicting and it teaches you concepts along the way. Very enjoyable game! ### 5/5 — Great app! *2019-01-24, version 2.0* Great for learning! ### 5/5 — 👍🏻👍🏻 to the developers!!! *2018-12-28, version 2.0* I don’t know why it took so long for a program like this to be created. Very nicely executed. ### 4/5 — Good for basic Mechanism *2018-02-07, version 1.0.1* This is an excellent teaching tool for reinforcing basic substitution mechanisms in organic chemistry. ### 5/5 — So Original! *2018-01-16, version 1.0.1* Never seen a chemistry educational app so well made! ### 5/5 — Chemistry Fun! *2018-01-16, version 1.0.1* This app is an extremely fun way to learn SN2 organic chemistry concepts. Haven’t done organic chem in years, but was able to remember key SN2 topics and reactions within a few minutes of downloading this app. The gameplay is fun and challenging, all while providing great info about various chemistry concepts. Must download!! ## Frequently asked questions about Backside Attack ### What is Backside Attack? Backside Attack is an educational game designed to help students learn key concepts in organic chemistry. It specifically focuses on the SN2 reaction, a common starting point for students in the subject. The app breaks down complex variables associated with chemical reactions into an engaging format. ### What organic chemistry concepts does the app cover? The app primarily focuses on the SN2 reaction and its associated variables. This includes learning about leaving group ability, nucleophilicity, steric factors, and solvent effects. These are fundamental concepts for understanding chemical reactions in organic chemistry. ### Is Backside Attack free to use? Yes, the application is available for free. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned, suggesting a completely free educational experience for students. ### Who developed Backside Attack? The app was developed under the leadership of Dr. Neil Garg, an organic chemistry Professor at UCLA. He collaborated with six UCLA students and alumni, with the project being powered by Element26, Inc. ### How can I get the most out of Backside Attack? Students can earn extra points by using the 'Check Yourself +50' feature available on the scoring screen. Additionally, completing each topic will unlock the 'Chem Yourself' feature, providing further learning opportunities. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.4 — 2022-05-28 - Minor bug fixes ### 2.3.1 — 2021-01-25 - Minor bug fixes ### 2.3 — 2020-08-12 - Minor bug fixes, support for macOS 10.15 ### 2.1 — 2019-12-18 - Compatibility for iOS13 ### 2.0.2 — 2019-05-20 - Prevent portrait rotation in Help menu - Add option to skip 'Shoot the Nuc' or 'Draw Mechanism' scenes - Fixes for window constraints ## Apps similar to Backside Attack | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Periodic Table Chemistry 2026](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/periodic-table-chemistry-2026/id1471848710) | 4.4 (40) | $0.29 | Education | | [Learn Organic Nomenclature](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-organic-nomenclature/id1570934959) | 4.3 (7) | Free | Education | | [Functional Groups](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/functional-groups/id1670252638) | 4.9 (18) | Free | Education | | [iORA - Reaction Visualizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iora-reaction-visualizer/id1609524913) | 5.0 (12) | Free | Education | | [Heterocycles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heterocycles/id6445909269) | — | Free | Education | | [Organic Chemistry Challenge](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/organic-chemistry-challenge/id1460757759) | 2.3 (6) | Free | Education | ## More apps by Element26, Inc. - [HTML Email Signature - Mail](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/html-email-signature-mail/id1319538118) All apps by Element26, Inc.: https://appshunter.io/developer/973213639 ## Related topics [organic chemistry challenge](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/organic-chemistry-challenge) · [organic reactions](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/organic-reactions) · [functional groups](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/functional-groups) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-04.*