NEET UG Organic Chemistry Syllabus

Organic Chemistry syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Organic Chemistry in NEET UG, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   UNIT 13: Purification and Characterisation of Organic Compounds

   2 topics

   • Purification methods
     • Crystallization
     • Sublimation
     • Chromatography
     • Distillation
     • Differential extraction
   • Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
     • Detection of elements (N, S, P, halogens)
     • Calculations of empirical and molecular formulas
2. 2

   UNIT 14: Some Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry

   7 topics

   • Tetra-valency of carbon
   • Hybridization
   • Classification based on functional groups
   • Isomerism
   • Nomenclature
   • Types of organic reactions
     • Substitution
     • Addition
     • Elimination
     • Rearrangement
   • Electronic effects
     • Inductive
     • Electromeric
     • Resonance
     • Hyperconjugation
3. 3

   UNIT 15: Hydrocarbons

   5 topics

   • Classification and Isomerism
   • Alkanes
     • Structure
     • Properties
     • Reactions
   • Alkenes
     • Structure
     • Properties
     • Reactions
   • Alkynes
     • Structure
     • Properties
     • Reactions
   • Aromatic Hydrocarbons
     • Structure
     • Aromaticity
     • Electrophilic Substitution Reactions
4. 4

   UNIT 16: Organic Compounds Containing Halogens

   2 topics

   • Preparation, properties, and reactions of haloalkanes and haloarenes
   • Environmental effects of compounds like chloroform and DDT
5. 5

   UNIT 17: Organic Compounds Containing Oxygen

   1 topic

   • Properties and reactions of alcohols, phenols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids
     • Important organic reactions such as nucleophilic addition and condensation
6. 6

   UNIT 18: Organic Compounds Containing Nitrogen

   1 topic

   • Amines and Diazonium Salts
     • Preparation
     • Properties
     • Reactions
     • Uses
     • Importance in Synthetic Organic Chemistry
7. 7

   UNIT 19: Biomolecules

   5 topics

   • Classification and functions of carbohydrates
   • Classification and functions of proteins
   • Classification and functions of vitamins
   • Classification and functions of nucleic acids
   • Structure and function of biomolecules in biological processes
8. 8

   UNIT 20: Principles Related to Practical Chemistry

   3 topics

   • Detection of elements and functional groups in organic compounds
   • Principles involved in the preparation of specific inorganic and organic compounds
   • Qualitative and quantitative analysis including titrimetric and gravimetric analysis

Organic Chemistry flashcards for NEET UG

25 of 56 cards from the Organic Chemistry deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the difference between empirical formula and molecular formula?

   Empirical formula gives the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms (e.g., CH2O); molecular formula gives the actual number of atoms in a molecule (e.g., C6H12O6 = 6 x CH2O).

2. In Lassaigne's test, which compound formation confirms the presence of nitrogen in an organic compound?

   Formation of Prussian blue (ferric ferrocyanide, Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3), from sodium fusion extract treated with FeSO4 and acidified with H2SO4.

3. Define inductive effect and state its two types.

   Inductive effect is the permanent polarization of a sigma bond due to electronegativity differences, transmitted through the chain. Types: -I (electron-withdrawing, e.g., -NO2, -X) and +I (electron-donating, e.g., alkyl groups).

4. What is hyperconjugation and what is it also known as?

   Hyperconjugation is the delocalization of sigma C-H electrons into an adjacent empty p-orbital or pi system (no-bond resonance). It stabilizes carbocations, alkenes and free radicals. More alpha-H = more hyperconjugation = more stability.

5. Arrange carbocations in increasing order of stability: methyl, primary, secondary, tertiary.

   Methyl < primary (1deg) < secondary (2deg) < tertiary (3deg). Tertiary is most stable due to +I effect and maximum hyperconjugation.

6. Differentiate between homolytic and heterolytic bond fission.

   Homolytic fission: bond breaks equally, each atom gets one electron, forming free radicals (uses single-headed/fishhook arrows). Heterolytic fission: bond breaks unequally, one atom takes both electrons, forming ions (carbocation + carbanion).

7. What is the principle of chromatography?

   Separation of components of a mixture based on their differential distribution/partition between a stationary phase and a moving mobile phase.

8. Define structural isomerism and list its types.

   Same molecular formula but different structural arrangement. Types: chain, position, functional, metamerism, and tautomerism.

9. What is metamerism? Give an example.

   Isomerism due to different alkyl groups attached to the same polyvalent functional atom. Example: diethyl ether (C2H5-O-C2H5) and methyl propyl ether (CH3-O-C3H7), both C4H10O.

10. Distinguish between geometrical (cis-trans) isomers.

    They arise from restricted rotation about a C=C double bond (or ring). Cis: similar/priority groups on the same side; trans: on opposite sides. Requires each doubly-bonded carbon to bear two different groups.

11. What is an enantiomer and what is its defining property?

    Enantiomers are non-superimposable mirror images of a chiral molecule. They rotate plane-polarized light in equal magnitude but opposite directions and are optically active.

12. What is a racemic mixture (racemate)?

    An equimolar (50:50) mixture of two enantiomers (d and l forms). It is optically inactive due to external compensation; denoted (+-) or dl.

13. What is a meso compound?

    A molecule containing chiral (stereo) centres but having an internal plane of symmetry, making it optically inactive due to internal compensation (e.g., meso-tartaric acid).

14. How is the number of optical isomers calculated for a compound with n dissimilar chiral carbons?

    Number of optical isomers = 2^n (and number of racemic mixtures = 2^(n-1)), where n is the number of dissimilar asymmetric carbon atoms.

15. Define electrophile and nucleophile.

    Electrophile: an electron-deficient species that accepts an electron pair (Lewis acid, e.g., H+, NO2+, BF3). Nucleophile: an electron-rich species that donates an electron pair (Lewis base, e.g., OH-, CN-, NH3).

16. Differentiate between SN1 and SN2 reactions.

    SN1: two steps, carbocation intermediate, first-order kinetics, favoured by 3deg substrates and polar protic solvents, gives racemization. SN2: one step, transition state, second-order kinetics, favoured by 1deg substrates and polar aprotic solvents, gives inversion (Walden inversion).

17. What are the two main types of elimination reactions and what does Saytzeff's rule state?

    E1 (two-step, carbocation) and E2 (one-step, concerted). Saytzeff's rule: in dehydrohalogenation, the more substituted (more stable) alkene is the major product.

18. What is Markovnikov's rule?

    In the addition of a protic acid (HX) to an unsymmetrical alkene, the negative part (X) adds to the carbon bearing fewer hydrogen atoms; the H adds to the carbon with more H atoms (forms the more stable carbocation).

19. State the peroxide effect (Kharasch effect / anti-Markovnikov addition).

    In the presence of organic peroxides, HBr adds to an unsymmetrical alkene in an anti-Markovnikov manner (Br adds to the carbon with more H atoms) via a free-radical mechanism. Applies only to HBr, not HCl or HI.

20. What is the general formula and IUPAC suffix for alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes?

    Alkanes: CnH2n+2, suffix -ane (single bonds). Alkenes: CnH2n, suffix -ene (one C=C). Alkynes: CnH2n-2, suffix -yne (one C(triple)C).

21. What is Wurtz reaction used for?

    Preparation of symmetrical alkanes by reacting alkyl halides with sodium metal in dry ether: 2 R-X + 2Na -> R-R + 2NaX.

22. What product forms when benzene reacts with a mixture of conc. HNO3 and conc. H2SO4, and what is the electrophile?

    Nitrobenzene is formed (electrophilic substitution). The attacking electrophile is the nitronium ion, NO2+.

23. Differentiate between ortho/para-directing and meta-directing groups in benzene.

    o/p-directing (mostly activating): -OH, -NH2, -OR, -CH3, halogens (deactivating but o/p-directing). m-directing (deactivating): -NO2, -CN, -COOH, -CHO, -SO3H.

24. What is the general formula and reactivity order of alkyl halides toward nucleophilic substitution by SN2?

    General formula CnH2n+1X. SN2 reactivity order: CH3X > 1deg > 2deg > 3deg (decreases with increasing steric hindrance).

25. What is the Finkelstein reaction?

    Conversion of an alkyl chloride or bromide into an alkyl iodide by treatment with NaI in dry acetone: R-Cl + NaI -> R-I + NaCl. NaCl/NaBr precipitates out, driving the reaction forward.

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