MDCAT Prep · Chemistry · Quick Reference

Lesson 9 — Organic Chemistry Cheat Sheet

Chemistry

In one line: Recognise the ten functional groups by their structure, then match each to substitution, addition, oxidation, or esterification.

Functional Groups

1Alkane / Alkene / Alkyne. C-C single, C=C double, C≡C triple bonds.

2Alcohol (-OH) / Amine (-NH₂). Both are common reactive substituents.

3Aldehyde vs Ketone. -CHO is terminal; C=O ketone is not terminal.

4Carboxylic acid (-COOH) / Ester (-COO-) / Amide (-CONH₂). All contain a carbonyl.

5Alcohol oxidation ladder. 1° → aldehyde → acid. 2° → ketone. 3° → no oxidation.

Alkane + halogen (UV)

Substitution

Alkene + X₂/H₂

Addition

1° alcohol oxidised

Aldehyde → carboxylic acid

2° alcohol oxidised

Ketone (stops there)

Esterification: RCOOH + ROH ⇌ RCOOR + H2O