MCAT Organic Chemistry Practice Test 1: Nomenclature

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1. Which of the following lists the correct common names for ethanal, methanal, and ethanol, respectively?

  • A. Acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, ethyl alcohol
  • B. Ethyl alcohol, propionaldehyde, isopropyl alcohol
  • C. Ethyl alcohol, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde
  • D. Isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, formaldehyde

2. Which of the following are considered terminal functional groups?

I. Aldehydes

II. Ketones

III. Carboxylic acids

  • A. I only
  • B. III only
  • C. I and III only
  • D. I, II, and III

3. If all prefixes were dropped, what would be the name of the parent root of this molecule?

  • A. Propanoate
  • B. Propanol
  • C. Propanoic acid
  • D. Propanoic anhydride

4. What is the highest-priority functional group in this molecule?

  • A. Anhydride
  • B. Carbonyl
  • C. Ketone
  • D. Alkyl chain

5. The IUPAC name for the following structure ends in what suffix?

  • A. –ol
  • B. –one
  • C. –oic acid
  • D. –yne

6. Which of the two possibilities below correctly numbers the carbon backbone of this molecule?

  • A. Numbering Scheme 1
  • B. Numbering Scheme 2
  • C. Numbering Schemes 1 and 2 are equivalent and correct
  • D. Numbering Schemes 1 and 2 are equivalent and incorrect.

7. What is the proper structure for 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid (tartaric acid)?

  • A.
  • B.
  • C.
  • D.

8. The common names for the aldehydes and carboxylic acids that contain only one carbon start with which prefix?

  • A. Para–
  • B. Form–
  • C. Meth–
  • D. Acet–

9. What is the IUPAC name for the following structure?

  • A. 2,5-dimethylheptane
  • B. 2-ethyl-5-methylhexane
  • C. 3,6-dimethylheptane
  • D. 5-ethyl-2-methylhexane

10. What is the IUPAC name for the following structure?

  • A. 4-isopropyl-2-methylhexane
  • B. 3-isopropyl-5-methylhexane
  • C. 2,2,5-trimethyl-3-ethylhexane
  • D. 3-ethyl-2,2,5-trimethylhexane

11. The IUPAC name for the following structure starts with what prefix?

  • A. 3-methyl-
  • B. 2-methyl-
  • C. 2-hydroxy-
  • D. 3-hydroxy-

12. NADH is a coenzyme that releases high-energy electrons into the electron transport chain. It is known as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or diphosphopyridine nucleotide. What functional groups exist in this molecule?

I. Phosphate

II. Amide

III. Anhydride

  • A. I only
  • B. II only
  • C. I and II only
  • D. I, II, and III

13. Pyruvic acid, one of the end products of glycolysis, is commonly called acetylformic acid. Based on its common name, the structure of pyruvic acid must be:

  • A.
  • B.
  • C.
  • D.

14. Which of the following are common names for carboxylic acid derivatives?

I. Acetic anhydride

II. Formic acid

III. Methyl formate

  • A. I and II only
  • B. I and III only
  • C. II and III only
  • D. I, II, and III

15. Consider the name 2,3-diethylpentane. Based on the structure implied by this name, the correct IUPAC name for this molecule is:

  • A. 2,3-diethylpentane.
  • B. 1,2-diethylbutane.
  • C. 3-ethyl-4-methylhexane.
  • D. 3-methyl-4-ethylhexane.