Introduction

Quizzes are keyed to chapters in Ouellette (Organic Chemistry - A Brief Introduction, 2/e, 1998). Although the quizzes are indicated for a particular chapter, they often cover material from more than one chapter.

For each quiz, a partial answer key is available online. There is a link to it at the top and bottom of the quiz page. You are also welcome to turn in the quiz, for feedback. Site visitors are welcome to ask me questions about the quiz by email.

Answer keys typically include some explanation, for your guidance. If you think that certain answers should be expanded, let me know. It's easy to do, but is most likely to get done by responding to specific requests.

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Level of the quizzes

The quizzes were originally written for an introductory class in organic and biochemistry. Within that scope, it is intended that some questions are fairly basic and straightforward, whereas others are more challenging. Sometimes, I label some of the more difficult questions. Of course, classes vary, even with the same general title and role, so students taking other courses need to use some judgment. I welcome comments and questions from anyone working with these quizzes. Such comments sometimes lead to clarifying questions or elaborating answers. For students taking university level organic or biochemistry, everything in these quizzes should be good practice. (Obviously, the more biochemical parts are for the biochem course.)

In some cases, quizzes are used to evaluate what you have accomplished. But in addition, they are part of the learning process. You learn from doing problems, and seeing how well you do them, and what gaps remain. As you work on questions such as these, try to have reasons for everything you do. That is, try to be reason-oriented, not just answer-oriented. If you have trouble with a question, it is best to discuss the reason for your answer and then guide you to "better" reasoning, as appropriate. That way, your learning from one question helps you as you continue.

My contact information is at the bottom of every page at this site.

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Quiz list

Those who are using my web site materials for self-study... As noted above, you are welcome -- and encouraged -- to ask me questions when difficulties arise. (My contact information is at the bottom of each of my web pages.) It always helps if you include how you would answer the question and why. That lets me respond to what you are thinking, lets me focus my reply on where you are having trouble. Further, it gives me a feel for the level at which you are addressing the question -- which may vary depending on your background and course level. The level of discourse -- and your learning of chemistry -- is enhanced by trying to focus on reasons, not simply answers. (If you are asking about a question from another source, be sure to include the question, and some context.)

Alkanes and cycloalkanes. Includes basic organic nomenclature and isomers. Ouellette Ch 3.

Alkenes, alkynes. Ouellette Ch 4.

Ouellette Ch 3, 4, 8, 10, 12. For a quiz that deals with the general nature of oxidation and reduction, which is part of all these chapters, see the quiz listed below for Ouellette Ch 12. You may work on this quiz at any time along here, from Ouellette Ch 4 to 12.

Aromatic nomenclature: Use of ortho, meta, para. Ouellette Ch 5.

Alcohols, ethers. Ouellette Ch 8-9.

Review quiz, through ethers. This quiz reviews a range of material up though "ethers" (Ouellette Ch 9), including nomenclature, properties, and reactions. Most of this quiz is at "basic" or "core" level. It may be good practice just before Test 2, which typically covers up through Ch 9.