Organic Compounds

Contents & notes: what this topic covers

Under Organic Compounds, the JAMB Chemistry syllabus expects you to study:

• 16. Organic Compounds An introduction to the tetravalency of carbon, the general formula, IUPAC nomenclature and the determination of empirical formula of each class of the organic compounds mentioned below
• (a) Aliphatic hydrocarbons
• (i) Alkanes Homologous series in relation to physical properties, substitution reaction and a few examples and uses of halogenated products. Isomerism: structural only (examples on isomerism should not go beyond six carbon atoms).
• Petroleum: composition, fractional distillation and major products; cracking and reforming, Petrochemicals – starting materials of organic syntheses, quality of petrol and meaning of octane number
• (ii) Alkenes Isomerism: structural and geometric isomerism, additional and polymerization reactions, polythene and synthetic rubber as examples of products of polymerization and its use in vulcanization
• (iii) Alkynes Ethyne – production from action of water on carbides, simple reactions and properties of ethyne
• (b) Aromatic hydrocarbons e.g. benzene - structure, properties and uses
• (c) Alkanols Primary, secondary, tertiary – production of ethanol by fermentation and from petroleum by-products. Local examples of fermentation and distillation, e.g.gin from palm wine and other local sources and glycerol as a polyhydric alkanol Reactions of OH group – oxidation as a distinguishing test among primary, secondary and tertiary alkanols (Lucas test)
• (d) Alkanals and alkanones Chemical test to distinguish between alkanals and alkanones
• (e) Alkanoic acids Chemical reactions; neutralization and esterification, ethanedioic (oxalic) acid as an example of a dicarboxylic acid and benzene carboxylic acid as an example of an aromatic acid
• (f) Alkanoates Formation from alkanoic acids and alkanols – fats and oils as alkanoates Saponification: Production of soap and margarine from alkanoates and distinction between detergents and soaps
• (g) Amines (Alkanamines)- primary, secondary, and tertiary
• (h)Carbohydrates Classification – mono-, di- and polysaccharides; composition, chemical tests for simple sugars and reaction with concentrated tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid.
• Hydrolysis of complex sugars e.g.
• cellulose from cotton and starch from cassava, the uses of sugar and starch in the production of alcoholic beverages, pharmaceuticals and textiles
• (i) Proteins: (xxx Primary structures, hydrolysis and tests (Ninhydrin, Biuret, Millon’s and (xxxviii) s xanthoproteic) Enzymes and their functions (xxx
• (j) Polymers: ( Natural and synthetic rubber; addition and condensation polymerization. ( Methods of preparation, examples and uses ( Thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics (

Study notes & guidance

Study Organic Compounds using a recommended Chemistry textbook that follows the JAMB syllabus. Work through the contents listed above one by one, make brief notes in your own words, and then practise as many questions on this topic as you can — in Chemistry, understanding and steady practice matter far more than memorising. Use the objectives below as a checklist: if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Objectives — candidates should be able to

After studying Organic Compounds, you should be able to:

1. (i) derive the name of organic compounds from their general formulae; (ii) relate the name of a compound to its structure; (iii) relate the tetravalency of carbon to its ability to form chains of compound (catenation); (iv) classify compounds according to their functional groups; (v) derive empirical formula and molecular formula from given data; (vi) relate structure/functional groups to specific properties; (vii) derive various isomeric forms from a given formula; (viii) distinguish between the different types of isomerism; (ix) classify the various types of hydrocarbons; (x) distinguish each class of hydrocarbons by their properties; (xi) specify the uses of various hydrocarbons; (xii) identify crude oil as a complex mixture of hydrocarbons; (xiii) relate the fractions of hydrocarbons to their properties and uses; (xiv) relate transformation processes to quality improvement of the fractions; (xv) distinguish between various polymerization processes; (xvi) specify the process involved in vulcanization; (xvii) specify chemical test for alkenes; (xviii) specify chemical test for terminal alkynes; (xix) distinguish between aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons; (xx) relate the properties of benzene to its structure; (xxi) compare the various classes of alkanols; (xxii) determine the processes involved in ethanol production; (xxiii) examine the importance of ethanol as an alternative energy provider; (xxiv) distinguish the various classes of alkanols; (xxv) differentiate between alkanals and alkanones; (xxvi) compare the various types of alkanoic acids; (xxvii) identify natural sources of alkanoates; (xxviii) infer products of alkanoic acids and alkanols; (xxix) specify the methods for the production of soap, detergent and margarine. (xxx) distinguish between detergent and soap; (xxxi) compare the various classes of alkanamine; (xxxii) identify the natural sources of carbohydrates; (xxxiii) compare the various classes of carbohydrates; (xxxiv)infer the products of hydrolysis and dehydration of carbohydrates; (xxxv) determine the uses of carbohydrates; (xxxvi) specify the tests for simple sugars;
2. Identify the basic structure of proteins; pecify the methods and products of hydrolysis;
3. Specify the various tests for proteins; xl) distinguish between natural and synthetic polymers; xli) differentiate between addition and condensation polymerization processes; xlii) classify natural and commercial polymers and their uses; and xliii) distinguish between thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics.

These objectives are from the official JAMB syllabus. Use them as a checklist — if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Source: official JAMB UTME Chemistry syllabus (IBASS, jamb.gov.ng). Reproduced for study use. Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.