Indian Forest Service (Mains)
Chemistry optional
- 2 papers
- 200 marks each
- 3 h per paper
Paper II covers organic chemistry and spectroscopy.
All topics
Paper II, organic chemistry and spectroscopy
Chemistry and mechanism of reactions: every question, 2021 to 2025
26 parts worth 190 marks have been set on this unit in UPSC IFoS Chemistry Paper II from 2021 to 2025. Each one opens on its own page with the question, the answer in brief and the key points.
Syllabus
Aldol condensation (including directed aldol condensation), Claisen condensation, Dieckmann, Perkin, Knoevenagel, Wittig, Clemmensen, Wolff-Kishner, Cannizzaro and von Richter reactions; Stobbe, benzoin and acyloin condensations; Fischer indole synthesis, Skraup synthesis, Bischler-Napieralski, Sandmeyer, Reimer-Tiemann and Reformatsky reactions.
Notes: Carbonyl additions and condensations (full notes) · short notes
2025
- Q1(h) Intramolecular Claisen condensation5 marks Answered
- Q3(b) Knoevenagel condensation10 marks Answered
- Q3(c) Erlenmeyer–Plöchl azlactone synthesis10 marks Answered
- Q3(d) Regioselective ketone alkylation10 marks Answered
2024
- Q1(e) Intramolecular aldol condensation5 marks Answered
- Q1(h) Hydrazine reductions5 marks Answered
- Q4(b) Stobbe condensation10 marks Answered
- Q4(c)(i) Benzoin exchange in cyanide10 marks Answered
- Q4(c)(ii) Bischler–Napieralski cyclization10 marks Answered
2023
- Q1(h) Substituent effects in Cannizzaro reaction5 marks Answered
- Q2(a) Third- and fourth-order Cannizzaro kinetics10 marks Answered
- Q2(d) Butanone phenylhydrazone and Fischer cyclization10 marks Answered
- Q3(e) Self-condensation of diethyl succinate10 marks Question only
- Q4(d) Knoevenagel condensation5 marks Question only
2022
- Q4(a) Claisen condensation followed by cyclization10 marks Question only
- Q4(b) Dieckmann cyclization of diethyl adipate10 marks Question only
- Q4(c) Cobalt-catalysed hydroformylation10 marks Question only
2021
- Q1(d) Kinetic enolate aldol sequence5 marks Answered
- Q3(b)(i) Carbon–carbon bond formation from a bromoester5 marks Answered
- Q3(b)(ii) Intramolecular aldol condensation5 marks Answered
- Q3(d)(i) Haworth synthesis of a methoxytetralone5 marks Answered
- Q5(a) Condensation of diethyl succinate5 marks Answered
- Q6(a)(i) Malonic ester ring synthesis5 marks Answered
- Q6(a)(ii) Wittig olefination5 marks Answered
- Q6(c)(i) Cyclization of a beta-hydroxy phenethylamide5 marks Answered
- Q6(d) Fischer indole synthesis5 marks Answered