Organic Chemistry Topical Solving Tips
Homologous Series & Isomerism
●​ Homologous series have the same general formula, chemical
properties, and functional group.
●​ Isomers: compounds having the same molecular but different
structural formulas.
Reaction Conditions & Types
●​ Photochemical reactions need ultraviolet light (e.g., sunlight).
●​ Addition reaction: Double bond breaks, allowing new atoms to bond
as each carbon atom that had a double bond gets a valency of one.
●​ Alkanes undergo substitution reactions or combustion.
Proteins & Polymers
●​ Proteins have amine linkages called peptide linkages.
●​ Biodegradable materials can be broken down by microbes or
decomposers.
●​ Natural polymers include cellulose, polysaccharides, DNA, and RNA.
●​ Condensation polymers release a small molecule (e.g., water).
●​ Amide linkage: Between dicarboxylic acid and diamine group.
●​ Ester linkage: Between dicarboxylic acid and diol group.
●​ Types of amide linkages: Nylon and proteins (peptide bonds).
●​ Types of Ester linkage: PET (polyethylene terephthalate).
●​ Synthetic polymers: Terylene, nylon.
●​ Proteins: Polymers from amino acids.
Polymerization & Depolymerization
●​ Depolymerization: polymers can be converted back into using heat,
acid catalysts, and enzymes.
●​ To make addition polymers, the double bond must be present in the
monomers.
●​ Polyester is the type of compound formed when a dicarboxylic acid
and a diol react.
●​ Polyamide is the type of condensation polymer formed when a
dicarboxylic acid and diamine react.
Reactions & Conversions
●​ Alcohol to carboxylic acid: Oxidation with acidified potassium
manganate VII.
●​ Alkenes to alcohols: Hydration with steam, H₂SO₄, 300°C, 60 atm.
●​ Esters: Formed by the reaction of alcohols and carboxylic acids,
releasing water.
Crude Oil & Hydrocarbons
●​ Crude oil: oil extracted from the rocky layer. Also called petroleum
and has fractions of various other compounds that can be separated
by fractional distillation.
●​ Saturated compounds: Compounds containing all single carbon
bonds.
●​ Hydrocarbons: Compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen
atoms.
Fermentation & Ethanol Uses
●​ Fermentation conditions: Aqueous glucose, yeast, 37°C, no
oxygen/air.
○​ Advantages: Renewable source is glucose, doesn’t need high
temp or pressure, and can be done on a small scale.
○​ Disadvantages: Releases CO₂ as a pollutant and is slow.
●​ Ethanol is used as a solvent and as a fuel.
Naming & Numbering Functional Groups
●​ The more the number of carbon, the higher the boiling point of a
compound.
●​ After ethanol, in alcohols, we have to state the number of carbon on
which the functional group is present.
●​ After propanol, in alkenes, we have to state the number of carbon
atoms which has the functional group.
○​ Start numbering with the closest side.
Polymer Linkages & Structures
●​ Ester linkage between C double bond O and O.
●​ Amide linkage between C double bond O and NH group.
●​ PET is called terylene.
●​ Uses:
○​ Teflon in non-stick pans.
○​ PVC in pipes.
○​ Polyethylene used to make shopping bags.
●​ Protein is the only condensation polymer in the syllabus made from
one monomer.
○​ To draw its monomer (amino acid), draw a box, put the carboxyl
group on one and amine group on the other side.
Observation-Based Answering Tips
●​ If a question comes about observation and carbon dioxide is
released, don’t write “release of CO₂.” Instead, say effervescence or
fizzing or bubbling as an observation.
●​ To determine the number of water molecules released in a polymer,
count the number of amine or ester linkages.
●​ If a question comes to drawing two different alcohols containing 3
carbon atoms, you have to draw the propanol and its isomer.