How should I read alcohols, phenols, and ethers for the NEET?

National level competitive exams like NEET (national eligibility entrance test), which is required for admission to Indian medical institutes, demand that a candidate truly step up their game. NEET is not an easy test to pass, but there are various ideas and approaches that might help students feel more confident in their abilities. The NEET test is set up in such a way that there will be 180 questions and a three-hour time limit for each answer. Each part of physics, chemistry, zoology, and botany will have around 45 questions. The test consists of 720 points. One mark will be removed for each erroneous response, and four marks will be granted for each correct answer. For the NEET test, candidates are recommended to extensively study and evaluate the whole syllabus since every topic is equally significant and requires the candidate’s fullest attention when preparing. Chemistry, however, is the exam’s most important topic when it comes to scoring the most points. Chemistry is not only fun to learn, but it also provides students with the opportunity to get the most points possible and boost their chances of passing the test. Physical chemistry, organic chemistry, and inorganic chemistry are all subcategories of chemistry. Organic chemistry students should pay more attention to the mechanism of reactions and the structure of the molecules they examine.

Organic chemistry’s preparatory sequence is as follows:

• The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) nomenclature
• Isomerism
• Hydrocarbons
• EAS and benzene
• Ethers, phenols, and alcohol
• Compounds containing carbonyl
• Carboxylic acids are a kind of carboxylic acid.
• The remainder of organic chemistry

Every subject is equally significant for NEET. However, we will focus on and examine the chapter named alcohol, phenols, and ethers, which is part of organic chemistry in class XII and is highly crucial. For several years, one may expect at least one question from it and easily obtain the required marks.

If we further divide the chapter on alcohols, phenols, and ether into subtopics, the following list of topics, together with the % weightage of questions asked in it, is the most significant for the NEET test. This weighting is based on questions asked in the NEET/AIMPT during the previous 33 years.

1. Alcoholic beverages (weightage of around 2 percent)
2. Alcoholic beverage preparation (weightage of around 9 percent)
3. Alcohols’ chemical properties (weightage of around 31 percent)
4. Phenol’s chemical properties (weightage of around 13 percent)
5. Phenols’ acidic nature (weightage of around 15 percent)
6. Phenol preparation (weightage of around 4 percent)
7. Ethers preparation (weightage of around 11 percent)
8. Ethers’ chemical characteristics (weightage of around 13 percent)
9. Ethers’ physical characteristics (weightage of around 2 percent)

The structure, nomenclature, categorization, physical qualities, and chemical properties of alcohols, phenols, and ethers are covered in detail throughout the chapter, with several examples.

Some of the most significant alcohols and ethers must also be remembered, as they are regularly questioned in the NEET test. Thus, memorizing their name, chemical formula, method of preparation, qualities, and applications will aid students in passing the NEET test. The most significant alcohols and ethers, as well as their key features, are listed here.

1. Methanol, often known as wood spirit, has the chemical formula CH3OH and is made from carbon monoxide by a process known as catalytic hydrogenation. Despite the fact that it is extremely deadly, it is often used in paints.
2. Ethanol, often known as ethyl alcohol, is a chemical molecule with the formula C₂H₅OH that is produced via the fermentation of sugar or glucose compounds by enzymes. It’s utilized in the wine and alcoholic beverage industries, as well as sanitizers and paint.
3. Phenol is a kind of alcohol with the molecular formula C6H5OH. Cumene and the oxidation of toluene and benzene are used to make phenol. These are frequently used as antiseptics and have paved the way for a variety of chemicals such as plastics and other polymer compounds.
4. Williamson synthesis uses methyl halide and sodium phenoxide to produce methoxybenzene, also known as anisole, with the chemical formula CH3OC6H5.

Do you know the answer of the below question?

Q. Which of the following is most acidic?

1. Phenol
2. Benzyl alchol
3. m−Chlorophenol
4. Cyclohexanol

To begin preparing this chapter, use the IUPAC technique to name chemicals. After naming, one must go through the fundamental structures of alcohols, phenols, and ethers, as well as their characteristics. The chemical characteristics of alcohols, phenols, and ethers, such as acidic and basic behavior, water-solubility, boiling,resonance structure, and melting temperature, must be addressed in the next stage of preparation. There are a few key processes that must be discussed, such as Kolbe’s reaction, Reimer Tiemann’s reaction, Me₂SO₄ reaction, nitration, acetylation, and phenol oxidation.

Finally, extra practice on past year’s questions will undoubtedly be beneficial. However, it is necessary to complete each NCERT chapter line by line. For reference and practice problems, a few decent books like MS Chauhan and OP Tandon are sufficient.