IMAT - International Medical Admissions Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Questions and Answers

Question 1

An alpha-amino acid is a fundamental building block of proteins. Which two functional groups are always attached to the alpha-carbon of a standard amino acid?

Accepted Answer

An amino group and a carboxyl group

Answer

A hydroxyl group and an ether group

Answer

An aldehyde group and a ketone group

Answer

A sulfhydryl group and an amide group

Question 2

A molecule is described as 'chiral' if it is non-superimposable on its mirror image. Which of the following molecules possesses a chiral center and is therefore a chiral molecule?

Accepted Answer

2-butanol

Answer

2-methylpropane

Answer

2-propanol

Answer

2-methyl-2-propanol

Question 3

A student is asked to arrange three organic compounds with similar molecular weights in order of increasing boiling point: pentane, butan-1-ol, and diethyl ether. Which of the following represents the correct order?

Accepted Answer

Pentane < Diethyl ether < Butan-1-ol

Answer

Butan-1-ol < Diethyl ether < Pentane

Answer

Diethyl ether < Pentane < Butan-1-ol

Answer

Pentane < Butan-1-ol < Diethyl ether

Question 4

A primary alcohol, such as ethanol (CH3CH2OH), is treated with a strong oxidizing agent like acidified potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and heated. What is the final major organic product of this reaction?

Accepted Answer

Ethanoic acid

Answer

Ethanal

Answer

Ethene

Answer

Ethane

Question 5

The molecule ethyne (C2H2), also known as acetylene, features a triple bond between its two carbon atoms. What is the hybridization of the carbon atoms in ethyne?

Accepted Answer

sp

Answer

sp2

Answer

sp3

Answer

sp3d

Question 6

Which of the following molecules is classified as aromatic?

Accepted Answer

Benzene

Answer

Cyclohexane

Answer

Cyclohexene

Answer

Cyclobutadiene