COLLEGE OF SAINT MARY    FALL 2008    INSTRUCTOR: DR. PETER ILICH

EXAM # G4 -- THE "LAUNDRY LIST"

    The Exam # G4 ("G" for general chemistry) will cover the material since the Exam # G3 (check the KEY to exam # 3 for an easy reminder).   Since this is a LOT of material we will have to keep it within reasonable limits. 

General suggestion:  Focus on BASIC things (e.g. What is the structural formula of a primary alcohol?) rather than on some "weird" molecules (e.g. What is the formula of caprolactam?) 

Let us review what we have done lately and place an emphasis on "what is important":

(1)    ALCOHOLS & ETHERS: 

• Know to write structural formulas of 1°, 2°, 3° alcohols (and thioalcohols -- just insert S instead of O); learn how to name simple alcohols
• Know how acidic (approximately) alcohols are; i.e. you should know whether an alcohol or HCl are more acidic (no, you are not expected to know the pKa values).
• Alcohols react with acids -- learn this reaction; you may be given an alcohol and asked to write the product of its dehydration.
• Know what is an ether (or a thioether, "sulfide" -- just insert S instead of O) and what a cyclic ether; learn how to name simple (chain) ethers.
• Know what is a carbohydrate; learning a formula (chain or ring) of glucose would be a bonus.

(2)    ALDEHYDES & KETONES:

• Know what is an aldehyde, i.e. how you should write its structural formula; know how to name a simple aldehyde.
• Know to recognize and write, if needed, a structural formula of simple ketone, diketone or cyclic ketone. Know its names.

(3)    CARBOXYLIC ACIDS & ESTER

• Know what is a carboxylic acid; its structural formula and name.
• Know how to write an acid-base dissociation reaction for a carboxylic acid (we have done this several times in the past homework assignments and exams).
• Know what is an ester; know the name of simple esters.
• Know what is a lipid (a triester of glycerol and fatty acids) and know what is chemical formula for the classical soap.

(4)    AMINES:

• Know to tell -- or to write on your own -- a 1°, 2°, or 3° amine; know the names of simple amines.
• Know to recognize (and name) a simple ammonium quaternary salt.
• Know how to write a base-acid association reaction for an amine.
• Know what is an amide; know structural formulas and names of simple amides.
• Knowing to recognize and tell the names of major nucleic acid bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), thymine (T), cytosine (C), would be a bonus.
• Know what is an amino acid; make sure you know to write a structural formula of an amino acid if given all the needed information.
• Knowing how to write a zwitterion form of given amino acid would be a bonus.

ONE MORE COMMENT:  As far as NAMES go I think you should learn how to make a systematic name: e.g. -ol for an aclohol, -oic for a carboxylic acid, etc., instead of trying to memorize the many trivial (historic) names or organic compounds.