What are the most important topics in the chapter "alcohols, phenols, and ethers" for the NEET?

In the cut throat competition of national level competitive exam like NEET (national eligibility entrance exam) which is a prerequisite for the entrance to the medical colleges in India, a candidate really needs to pull his or her socks up. Well, there is not a shortcut to ace the NEET exam but certainly there are some strategies and tactics which will make a student feel comfortable and confident. NEET examination’s structure and pattern is such that there will be a total of 180 questions which will be of duration of 3 hours. There will be about 45 questions each from Physics section, chemistry section, zoology section and botany section respectively. The entire exam is of 720 marks. For every incorrect answer a negative one mark will be deducted while for every correct answer 4 marks will be awarded. It is always advised for a candidate to thoroughly study and analyze the entire syllabus of the NEET exam as when it comes to grabbing marks every topic is equally important and needs utmost attention while preparing for it. However, every subject of this exam holds its own importance but when it comes to fetching maximum marks efficiently chemistry is on the upper hand as compared to the other subjects involved in this exam. Chemistry is not only very interesting to study but also lets students to score maximum marks as a whole and increase their chance of qualifying the exam. Well, chemistry as a whole categorized into subsections which are physical chemistry, organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry. While studying organic chemistry focus should be more on reaction mechanism and structure of compounds.

The preparation chronological order for organic chemistry is:

1. IUPAC nomenclature
2. Isomerism
3. Hydrocarbons
4. Benzene and EAS
5. Alcohol, Phenols, ethers
6. Carbonyl compounds
7. Carboxylic acids
8. Rest part of organic chemistry

Every section is equally important for NEET point of view but here we will analyze and deal the chapter called alcohol, phenols and ethers which come under the purview of organic chemistry of class XII and is very important. From past several years one can expect at least a question from it and can easily grab the marks.

If we go on to bifurcate the chapter of alcohols, phenols and ether into further sub topics then the following list of topics are utmost important for NEET exam point of view along with the percentage weightage of questions being asked in it. This weightage is analyzed from the questions came in last 33 years in NEET/AIMPT.

1. Alcohols (weightage of around 2%)
2. Preparation of alcohols (weightage of around 9%)
3. Chemical properties of alcohols (weightage of around 31%)
4. Preparation of phenol (weightage of around 4%)
5. Acidic nature of phenols (weightage of around 15%)
6. Chemical properties of phenol (weightage of around 13%)
7. Preparation of ethers (weightage of around 11%)
8. Physical properties of ethers (weightage of around 2%)
9. Chemical properties of ethers (weightage of around 13%)

The entire chapter of alcohols, phenols and ethers, the main areas are their structure, nomenclature, classification, physical properties and chemical properties with prominent examples.

One must also remember some of the most important alcohols and ethers and are very frequently asked in NEET exam. Thus, remembering their name, chemical formula, their method of preparation and its properties and usage will help the student in NEET exam. Following are the most important alcohols and ethers along with their important characteristics.

1. Methanol which is commonly named as wood spirit has a chemical formula of CH3OH and is prepared by the process called as catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide. Though it is very poisonous but used extensively in paints.
2. Ethanol whose common name is ethyl alcohol having chemical formula of C2H5OH prepared by the fermentation of sugar or glucose compounds by certain enzymes. Used in wine and alcoholic drinks industries as well as used in sanitizers and paint industry.
3. Phenol is another alcohol which is having a chemical formula of C6H5OH. The preparation of phenol is through cumene and oxidation of toluene and benzene. These are widely used as an antiseptic and are pioneer for various compounds like plastics and other polymer compounds.
4. Methoxybenzene commonly known as anisole having chemical formula of CH3OC6H5 is prepared by process called as Williamson synthesis from methyl halide and sodium phenoxide.

One could start preparing this chapter by naming compounds with IUPAC method. After naming one must cover basic structures along with their properties of alcohols, phenols and ethers. Next section of preparation must go with the chemical properties associated with alcohols, phenols and ethers like acidic and basic behavior, solubility in water, resonance structure, boiling and melting point. Well, there are certain important reactions which must be covered surely like Kolbe’s reaction, Reimer Tiemann’s Reaction, Reaction with Me2SO4, Nitration, acetylation and oxidation of phenol.

At last practicing more on previous years questions will certainly help. But one must aim to finish the entire NCERT chapter line by line. Some good books like MS Chauhan and OP Tandon are enough for the reference and practice problems.

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