GRE Subject Test: Chemistry : Organic Chemistry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Reactions By Product

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What is the IUPAC name of the given molecule?

Possible Answers:

3,3,5-trimethylnonane

None of these

3,3,5-trimethyloctane

4,6-dimethyl-6-ethylpentane

2,2,4-trimethyloctane

Correct answer:

3,3,5-trimethyloctane

Explanation:

The longest carbon chain that can be formed is eight carbons. The base molecule is octane.

Using IUPAC rules, substituents should have the lowest possible numbers; thus, we start counting carbons from the right side rather than the left. If you count from the correct side, there are two methyl groups on carbon 3 and one on carbon 5. Thus, the name of the moleculue is 3,3,5-trimethyloctane.

Example Question #1 : Functional Group Reactions

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How could you brominate the compound?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Bromine and UV light

Bromine gas

Hydrobromic acid

Bromine and peroxides

Correct answer:

Bromine and UV light

Explanation:

The given molecule is an alkane. The only way to brominate an alkane is with bromine gas and UV light. The energy from the light serves to creat two radical bromines. These radicals are capable of bonding with alkanes. If the given compound were an alkene, either hydrobromic acid or bromine and peroxides would work.

Example Question #1 : Hydrocarbon Reactants

Which of the following can reduce an alkene to an alkane?

Possible Answers:

H2/Raney nickel

Lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4)

H2/Pd and H2/Raney nickel

H2/Pd

Lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4) and H2/Pd

Correct answer:

H2/Pd and H2/Raney nickel

Explanation:

Neither lithium aluminum hydride, nor sodium borohydride will reduce C–C double bonds.

H2/Raney nickel and H2/Pd can each (individually) reduce an alkene to an alkane. Since both H2/Raney nickel and H2/Pd can reduce the alkene, the answer is both of those reagents. This is a catalytic hydrogenation reaction, and H2/Raney nickel not only reduces C–C double bonds, but also carbonyl compounds.

Example Question #1 : Hydrocarbons

Identify the major organic product expected from the acid-catalyzed dehydration of 2-methyl-2-pentanol.

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers

2-methyl-2-pentene

2-methyl-1-pentene

cis-3-methyl-2-pentene

3-methyl-1-pentene

Correct answer:

2-methyl-2-pentene

Explanation:

The initial compound is a five-carbon alkane chain with methyl and hydroxy groups on the second carbon. Dehydration involves the hydrogenation of the hydroxy group. That group then leaves, and a double bond is formed. Zaitsev's rule states that double bonds are more stable on more highly substituted carbons. The double bond forms across carbons two and three.

Example Question #2 : Functional Group Reactions

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What is the IUPAC name of the given diene?

Possible Answers:

3-chloro-2,5-dimethyl-1,5-heptadiene

3-chloro-2,5-dimethyl-2,6-heptadiene

5-chloro-3,6-dimethyl-1,5-heptadiene

5-chloro-3,5-dimethyl-1,6-heptadiene

None of these answers

Correct answer:

5-chloro-3,6-dimethyl-1,5-heptadiene

Explanation:

You must begin counting the carbons so that the first functional substituent has the lowest possible number. In this case, C1 is connected to C2 by the double bond, meaning we start counting from the left.

The longest carbon chain is seven carbons so the parent molecule is heptane. With this numbering, there are methyl groups on carbons 3 and 6 and a chlorine on carbon 5.

Substituents are named in alphabetical order and two double bonds result in a diene. Thus, the correct answer is 5-chloro-3,6-dimethyl-1,5-heptadiene.

Example Question #1 : Reactions By Reactant

The stereochemical pathway for the hydrogenation of an alkene with a metal catalyst, such as platinum, occurs via __________.

Possible Answers:

anti addition

Markovnikov addition

formation of a bridged carbocation

syn addition

anti-Markovnikov addition

Correct answer:

syn addition

Explanation:

Hydrogenation of an alkene with a metal catalyst, such as platinum, occurs via syn addition.

It is important to note the three main types of reactions for alkenes. The first type of reaction is a 2-step mechanism in which the electrophile attacks the carbocation nucleophile. This can yield syn or anti products. The second type of reaction is a 2-step mechanism that forms a bridged carbocation as the intermediate. This can yield only anti products. The third and last type of reaction is a 1-step addition. This can only yield syn products.

An example of the third type of reaction is the addition of a hydrogen with palladium, platinum, or nickel as demonstrated in the picture.

1

Example Question #1 : Organic Chemistry

What is(are) the product(s) in the Pd-catalyzed hydrogenation if 1,2-dimethylcyclopentene?

Possible Answers:

Dimethylcyclopentane

1,1-dimethylcyclopentene

A mixture of trans- and cis-1,2-dimethylcyclopentane

Trans-1,2-dimethylcyclopentane

Cis-1,2-dimethylcyclopentane

Correct answer:

Cis-1,2-dimethylcyclopentane

Explanation:

The product for this hydrogenation is cis-1,2-dimethylcyclopentane.

It is important to note the three main types of reactions for alkenes. The first type of reaction is a 2-step mechanism in which the electrophile attacks the carbocation nucleophile. This can yield syn or anti products. The second type of reaction is a 2-step mechanism that forms a bridged carbocation as the intermediate. This can yield only anti products. The third and last type of reaction is a 1-step addition. This can only yield syn products.

The cis product alone forms because the reagents used were hydrogen and a metal catalyst palladium (other common metal catalysts are platinum and nickel). This type of reagent with an alkene will always be a 1-step addition that yields solely syn products. Cis-1,2-dimethylcyclopentane is the only answer that solely indicates syn products.

Example Question #2 : Help With Alkene Reactions

Nbs

What reagent will complete this reaction?

Possible Answers:

N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) / light

None of these

PBr3

Br2 / light

SOBr2

Correct answer:

N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) / light

Explanation:

N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) brominates at allylic positions. Br2 will not complete this reaction with the presence of the double bond. 

Example Question #1 : Functional Group Reactions

What is the best reagent for abstracting a hydrogen from ethyne?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The triple bond in ethyne makes the hydrogens slightly more acidic than those found in ethane. A very strong base, such as the conjugate base of ammonia, would be able to abstract that hydrogen. The abstraction turns the base into ammonia. It also creates a carbanion that can be used for chain extension and alkyne synthesis.

Example Question #3 : Functional Group Reactions

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What is the product of the compound when it reacts with two equivalents of base?

Possible Answers:

2-pentyne

1-pentene

None of these

2-pentene

1-pentyne

Correct answer:

2-pentyne

Explanation:

For each equivalent of base, a pi bond is formed between the carbons initially bound to the bromine atoms. For each bond formed, a bromine leaving group leaves the hydrocarbon. One equivalent of base abstracts a hydrogen. The electrons from the bond to the hydrogen create a pi bond. This occurs twice, and a triple bond is formed. The result is a 5-carbon chain with a triple bond between the second and third carbons. This molecule is 2-pentyne.

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