Syllabus content and objectives
Official JAMB Chemistry outline · Detailed Syllabus
Content
Introduction to tetravalency of carbon; general formulae, IUPAC nomenclature and determination of empirical formulae for the classes of organic compounds in the syllabus.
Objective
Derive names of organic compounds from their general formulae; relate compound names to structures; relate carbon tetravalency to catenation; classify compounds by functional groups; derive empirical and molecular formulae from data; relate structures and functional groups to properties; derive isomers from a given formula and distinguish types of isomerism.
Content
Aliphatic hydrocarbons: alkanes, their homologous series and physical properties; substitution reactions and uses of halogenated products; structural isomerism limited to six carbon atoms. Petroleum composition, fractional distillation and major products; cracking, reforming, petrochemicals as starting materials for organic synthesis, petrol quality and octane number.
Objective
Classify hydrocarbons and distinguish their properties; identify their uses; recognize crude oil as a complex mixture of hydrocarbons; relate petroleum fractions to their properties and uses; relate transformation processes to improved fraction quality.
Content
Alkenes: structural and geometric isomerism, addition and polymerization reactions; polythene and synthetic rubber as polymerization products; vulcanization and its uses.
Objective
Distinguish types of isomerism and polymerization; specify the process of vulcanization; identify chemical tests for alkenes.
Content
Alkynes: ethyne production by the action of water on carbides; simple reactions and properties of ethyne.
Objective
Specify chemical tests for terminal alkynes; distinguish between aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.
Content
Aromatic hydrocarbons, especially benzene: structure, properties and uses.
Objective
Relate benzene's properties to its structure; distinguish aromatic from aliphatic hydrocarbons.
Content
Alkanols: primary, secondary and tertiary alkanols; ethanol production by fermentation and from petroleum by-products; local fermentation and distillation examples, including gin from palm wine and other local sources; glycerol as a polyhydric alkanol; reactions of the OH group; oxidation as a distinguishing test among primary, secondary and tertiary alkanols; Lucas test.
Objective
Compare classes of alkanols; describe processes involved in ethanol production; examine ethanol's importance as an alternative energy source; distinguish the different classes of alkanols.
Content
Alkanals and alkanones: chemical tests for distinguishing them.
Objective
Differentiate between alkanals and alkanones.
Content
Alkanoic acids: chemical reactions including neutralization and esterification; ethanedioic (oxalic) acid as a dicarboxylic acid; benzene carboxylic acid as an aromatic acid.
Objective
Compare different types of alkanoic acids.
Content
Alkanoates: formation from alkanoic acids and alkanols; fats and oils as alkanoates; saponification; production of soap and margarine from alkanoates; distinction between detergents and soaps.
Objective
Identify natural sources of alkanoates; infer products of reactions between alkanoic acids and alkanols; specify methods of producing soap, detergent and margarine; distinguish detergents from soaps.
Content
Amines (alkanamines): primary, secondary and tertiary classes.
Objective
Compare the different classes of alkanamines.
Content
Carbohydrates: classification into mono-, di- and polysaccharides; composition; chemical tests for simple sugars; reaction with concentrated tetraoxosulphate(VI) acid; hydrolysis of complex sugars, including cellulose from cotton and starch from cassava; uses of sugar and starch in alcoholic beverages, pharmaceuticals and textiles.
Objective
Identify natural sources of carbohydrates; compare carbohydrate classes; infer products of hydrolysis and dehydration; determine carbohydrate uses; specify tests for simple sugars.
Content
Proteins: primary structures, hydrolysis and tests including Ninhydrin, Biuret, Millon's and xanthoproteic tests; enzymes and their functions.
Objective
Identify the basic structure of proteins; specify methods and products of hydrolysis; identify the various tests for proteins; describe enzyme functions.
Content
Polymers: natural and synthetic rubber; addition and condensation polymerization; methods of preparation, examples and uses; thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics.
Objective
Distinguish natural and synthetic polymers; differentiate addition from condensation polymerization; classify natural and commercial polymers and identify their uses; distinguish thermoplastics from thermosetting plastics.
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