LaTeX won't let me create a macro to \begin{split}

[joftius]

So I'm trying to do this:

\newcommand{\bq}{\begin{equation*}}
\newcommand{\eq}{\end{equation*}}

\newcommand{\bsp}{\begin{split}}
\newcommand{\esp}{\end{split}}

\bq
\bsp
1 & = 1 \\
2 & = 1 + 1
\esp
\eq

but then LaTeX gives me this error

Runaway argument?
1 & = 1 \\ 2 & = 1 + 1 \esp \eq
! Paragraph ended before \split was complete.

What I really want is just one command to do
\begin{equation*}
\begin{split}
and one command to do the corresponding ends.

Is there any way to do this?

Note: I've tried using \begin{align*} instead, and I get a similar type of weird error.

 

[fresh_42]

It should be easier to download a program which allows you to set character strings to keyboard shortcuts. Mine, e.g. does \begin{bmatrix}\end{bmatrix} on Alt+M.
Here is a LaTeX tutorial: https://www.overleaf.com/learn/latex/Spacing_in_math_mode[/plain]