Portage Learning Chem 219 Principles of
Organic Chemistry Final Exam
1. Classify the following organic molecule in terms of:
i) The type of hydrocarbon skeleton (aliphatic or aromatic)
ii) The configuration of the hydrocarbon skeleton (linear, branched, or
cyclic)
iii) The type of functional group(s) present - name all the
groups present (include subclassification of 1°, 2°, 3° when
appropriate).
You are not being asked to generate the IUPAC name of the molecule,
only to state what functional groups are present
Answer
i) Aromatic
117
, ii) Cyclic
iii) Amide
Expert-Level Rationale (Portage CHEM 219 – 2025 Ready)
• Amides are crucial carboxylic acid derivatives, and this one is stabilized by
resonance between the nitrogen and the carbonyl oxygen.
• The secondary amide classification is essential for predicting hydrogen
bonding potential and reactivity.
• The aromatic ring affects the molecule’s electron distribution, making the
carbonyl less electrophilic than in aliphatic amides.
2. Classify the following organic molecule in terms of:
i) The type of hydrocarbon skeleton (aliphatic or aromatic)
ii) The configuration of the hydrocarbon skeleton (linear, branched, or
cyclic)
iii) The type of functional group(s) present - name all the
groups present (include subclassification of 1°, 2°, 3° when
appropriate).
You are not being asked to generate the IUPAC name of the molecule,
only to state what functional groups are present
118
, Answer
i. Aliphatic
ii. Linear
iii. 1° Alkyl Halide
Expert-Level Rationale (Portage CHEM 219 – 2025 Ready)
• Aliphatic hydrocarbons are open-chain compounds, either straight
or branched, that are non-aromatic. This chain has no π systems
or rings, thus strictly aliphatic.
• The chlorine atom bonded to a terminal methyl (CH₂) group
indicates it's a primary alkyl halide, a category of haloalkanes
important in nucleophilic substitution (Sn1/Sn2) and elimination
reactions.
• The linear configuration contributes to the steric accessibility,
favoring Sn2 reactions, especially in primary halides.
3. Classify the following organic molecule in terms of:
i) The type of hydrocarbon skeleton (aliphatic or aromatic)
ii) The configuration of the hydrocarbon skeleton (linear, branched, or
119
, cyclic)
iii) The type of functional group(s) present - name all the groups
present
(include subclassification of 1°, 2°, 3° when appropriate).
You are not being asked to generate the IUPAC name of the molecule,
only to state what functional groups are present
Answer
i) Aliphatic
ii) Cyclic
iii) Aldehyde
Expert-Level Rationale (Portage CHEM 219 – 2025 Ready)
• Although the molecule is cyclic, it is still aliphatic because there’s no
aromatic ring or π-conjugated system. “Aliphatic” includes cyclic
120
Organic Chemistry Final Exam
1. Classify the following organic molecule in terms of:
i) The type of hydrocarbon skeleton (aliphatic or aromatic)
ii) The configuration of the hydrocarbon skeleton (linear, branched, or
cyclic)
iii) The type of functional group(s) present - name all the
groups present (include subclassification of 1°, 2°, 3° when
appropriate).
You are not being asked to generate the IUPAC name of the molecule,
only to state what functional groups are present
Answer
i) Aromatic
117
, ii) Cyclic
iii) Amide
Expert-Level Rationale (Portage CHEM 219 – 2025 Ready)
• Amides are crucial carboxylic acid derivatives, and this one is stabilized by
resonance between the nitrogen and the carbonyl oxygen.
• The secondary amide classification is essential for predicting hydrogen
bonding potential and reactivity.
• The aromatic ring affects the molecule’s electron distribution, making the
carbonyl less electrophilic than in aliphatic amides.
2. Classify the following organic molecule in terms of:
i) The type of hydrocarbon skeleton (aliphatic or aromatic)
ii) The configuration of the hydrocarbon skeleton (linear, branched, or
cyclic)
iii) The type of functional group(s) present - name all the
groups present (include subclassification of 1°, 2°, 3° when
appropriate).
You are not being asked to generate the IUPAC name of the molecule,
only to state what functional groups are present
118
, Answer
i. Aliphatic
ii. Linear
iii. 1° Alkyl Halide
Expert-Level Rationale (Portage CHEM 219 – 2025 Ready)
• Aliphatic hydrocarbons are open-chain compounds, either straight
or branched, that are non-aromatic. This chain has no π systems
or rings, thus strictly aliphatic.
• The chlorine atom bonded to a terminal methyl (CH₂) group
indicates it's a primary alkyl halide, a category of haloalkanes
important in nucleophilic substitution (Sn1/Sn2) and elimination
reactions.
• The linear configuration contributes to the steric accessibility,
favoring Sn2 reactions, especially in primary halides.
3. Classify the following organic molecule in terms of:
i) The type of hydrocarbon skeleton (aliphatic or aromatic)
ii) The configuration of the hydrocarbon skeleton (linear, branched, or
119
, cyclic)
iii) The type of functional group(s) present - name all the groups
present
(include subclassification of 1°, 2°, 3° when appropriate).
You are not being asked to generate the IUPAC name of the molecule,
only to state what functional groups are present
Answer
i) Aliphatic
ii) Cyclic
iii) Aldehyde
Expert-Level Rationale (Portage CHEM 219 – 2025 Ready)
• Although the molecule is cyclic, it is still aliphatic because there’s no
aromatic ring or π-conjugated system. “Aliphatic” includes cyclic
120
