Mastering Organic Chemistry

It is a common belief among students preparing for engineering and medical entrance tests that organic chemistry is the toughest topic to score marks in. However this is just a myth! A smart approach can go a long way in ensuring you score the maximum possible marks in this section of the JEE or AIPMT exam.

Our team of chemistry experts at Meritnation bring you some really beneficial strategies to master this portion of the syllabus:

1. Focussing on NCERT Questions:

The NCERT Part – II comprises of organic chemistry and contributes to a significant portion of marks in the examination. An analysis of previous years’ question papers depicts that many questions are asked as it is from the NCERT books. Also, many questions are asked repeatedly.

So, go through all the NCERT solutions thoroughly. For this you can also refer to the Free NCERT Solutions Section on Meritnation.com

2. IUPAC Nomenclature Questions:

A conclusion from previous years’ papers is that, 90% of the questions related to nomenclature of organic compounds usually come from the tables of common and IUPAC names or in-text examples present in NCERT book. Below is a summarized chart of all the tables and in-text examples meant for nomenclature.

Note: Do not leave even a single compound from the tables and in-text examples.

3. Name Reactions:

Important name reactions which have been asked previously are Sandmeyer reaction, Williamson synthesis, Riemer-Tiemann reaction, Kolbe’s reaction, Aldol Condensation, Cannizzaro Reaction, Clemmensen Reduction reaction, Hoffmann Bromamide reaction, Coupling reaction. So,we advise you to revise these reactions.

FREE PDF DOWNLOADS: Organic Chemistry Named Reactions for JEE | Named Reactions Cheatsheet

4. Distinction Test:

The distinction tests are usually asked between:

• Aliphatic and aromatic compounds
• Compounds having two different functional groups
• Compounds having same functional group but different arrangement of atoms (e.g., 1°, 2°, 3°)

Steps For Attempting These Questions
Step – I: See how many marks are allotted to the question. Remember, 1 mark is for 1 test.
Step – II: Write the structural formulae of both the compounds.
Step – III: See where the two structures differ in.
Step – IV: Recall the reactions which you have studied.
Step – V: Apply those reactions in the compounds keeping in mind the skeletal structure they differ in.

FREE PDF DOWNLOADS: Common Distinction Tests in Organic Chemistry

5. Conversions:

Conversion based questions are surely going to come in exams. Remember there can be multiple steps to reach the final product but the shortest and feasible steps have to be written in the answer-sheet.

Please note that CBSE has not yet asked any conversion which consists of more than 3-steps.

Steps For Attempting These Questions
Step – I: Read the question very carefully.
Step – II: Write the starting compound on the left hand side and the final compound on the right hand side.
Step – III: See where do the two structure differ in.
(They mostly differ either in functional groups, number of carbon atoms or both)
Step – IV: Recall the reactions which you have studied.
Step – V: Apply those reactions in initial compound so as to reach to the final compound.

FREE PDF DOWNLOADS: Conversion Schemes in Organic Chemistry

6. Expected Areas Where Questions Can Come From In 2016:

To help all you students in these last stage of preparation, we are providing some free PDF Cheatsheets for Organic Chemistry:

Follow these simple but smart ways and give your 100 % in the examination.

Best of Luck!
Team Meritnation