Question 1

Which of the following best describes the concept of chemoselectivity in organic synthesis?

Accepted Answer

A reaction that occurs at one specific functional group in preference to other functional groups present in the molecule.

Question 2

Which of the following statements about Grignard reagents is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

They are organomagnesium compounds that act as carbon nucleophiles and react with carbonyl compounds to form alcohols.

Question 3

In the synthesis of paracetamol from 4-aminophenol and acetic anhydride, which functional group is formed?

Accepted Answer

Amide

Question 4

Which of the following is a key reason why regioselectivity is important in drug synthesis?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that a reaction occurs at a specific position on a functional group, such as an aromatic ring or epoxide, rather than at multiple possible positions.

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why chiral drugs can have different biological effects?

Accepted Answer

Drug targets such as proteins are chiral and can distinguish between enantiomers, leading to different activities or side effects for each enantiomer.

Question 6

Which of the following reactions is used to form an ether linkage in drug synthesis?

Accepted Answer

Reaction of an alcohol with an alkyl halide

Question 7

A chemist wants to synthesize an amide bond between two building blocks. Which combination of functional groups would be most suitable for this transformation?

Accepted Answer

An amine and an acid chloride

Question 8

Which of the following statements about the industrial synthesis of Tamoxifen is correct?

Accepted Answer

A Grignard reaction is a key step, allowing for the formation of a new C–C bond.

Question 9

Which of the following is a common method to activate a carboxylic acid for amide bond formation with an amine?

Accepted Answer

Reacting the carboxylic acid with ethyl chloroformate to form a mixed anhydride

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the role of electron withdrawing groups (EWGs) in organic synthesis?

Accepted Answer

They confer partial positive charges on carbon atoms, making them more electrophilic.

Question 11

Which of the following is the correct order of reactivity for alkyl halides in the preparation of Grignard reagents?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{RI \u003e RBr \u003e RCl}$$

Question 12

In the synthesis of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) from salicylic acid and acetic anhydride, which type of bond is formed?

Accepted Answer

Ester

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why the reaction between an amine and an epoxide in the synthesis of Salmeterol is regioselective?

Accepted Answer

The amine reacts with the less substituted position of the epoxide due to lower steric hindrance.

Question 14

Which of the following is a key advantage of synthesizing drugs rather than extracting them from natural sources?

Accepted Answer

Synthetic methods can provide large quantities of pure compounds and allow for the design of safer analogues.

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct description of a lead compound in drug discovery?

Accepted Answer

A compound that binds to a biological target and has useful pharmacological activity, serving as a starting point for further optimization.

Question 16

Which of the following is a typical use of coupling reactions in drug synthesis?

Accepted Answer

To link two molecular building blocks by forming new C–C, C–N, or C–O bonds.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the role of organolithium reagents in organic synthesis?

Accepted Answer

They act as strong carbon nucleophiles, similar to Grignard reagents, and are used to form new C–C bonds.

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of a drug synthesized using an O–C coupling reaction?

Accepted Answer

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)

Question 19

Which of the following statements about the formation of amides from carboxylic acids and amines is correct?

Accepted Answer

A coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC) or ethyl chloroformate is often required to activate the carboxylic acid.

Major Organic Reactions and Synthetic Methodologies in Drug Synthesis

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