MCQ on Organic and Inorganic Chemistry in Drug Synthesis

🟢 EASY (1–20)

1. Which of the following branches deals with carbon-based compounds?
   a) Inorganic chemistry
   b) Analytical chemistry
   c) Organic chemistry ✅
   d) Physical chemistry
   Explanation: Organic chemistry focuses on carbon-containing compounds.
2. Which metal is commonly used in inorganic medicinal compounds?
   a) Copper
   b) Zinc
   c) Iron
   d) All of the above ✅
   Explanation: These metals are essential for various therapeutic uses.
3. Aspirin is synthesized from:
   a) Acetic acid and salicylic acid ✅
   b) Benzoic acid and phenol
   c) Acetone and ammonia
   d) Methanol and phenol
   Explanation: Acetylation of salicylic acid forms aspirin.
4. Which functional group is present in paracetamol?
   a) Ester
   b) Ketone
   c) Amide ✅
   d) Ether
   Explanation: Paracetamol has an amide group.
5. Which compound is used in the synthesis of antacid formulations?
   a) Sodium chloride
   b) Magnesium hydroxide ✅
   c) Ammonium nitrate
   d) Sodium sulfate
   Explanation: Magnesium hydroxide neutralizes stomach acid.
6. Which inorganic compound is used as a contrast agent in MRI scans?
   a) Barium sulfate
   b) Iodine
   c) Gadolinium ✅
   d) Iron oxide
   Explanation: Gadolinium-based agents are used in MRI.
7. Which reaction is commonly used in organic drug synthesis?
   a) Combustion
   b) Substitution ✅
   c) Neutralization
   d) Electrolysis
   Explanation: Substitution reactions help modify drug structures.
8. Cisplatin is an example of a drug containing which element?
   a) Gold
   b) Silver
   c) Platinum ✅
   d) Copper
   Explanation: Cisplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy agent.
9. Which organic compound is used to synthesize penicillin?
   a) Acetic acid
   b) Phenol
   c) 6-Aminopenicillanic acid ✅
   d) Benzoic acid
   Explanation: It is the core structure for penicillin derivatives.
10. What is the role of iron in hemoglobin-based drugs?
    a) Color
    b) Stabilizer
    c) Oxygen binding ✅
    d) Enzyme inhibition
    Explanation: Iron binds oxygen in hemoglobin.
11. Inorganic compounds are often used in drug formulations as:
    a) Colorants
    b) Buffers
    c) Catalysts
    d) All of the above ✅
    Explanation: Inorganics play multiple roles in formulations.
12. Which of these is an organometallic drug?
    a) Aspirin
    b) Cisplatin
    c) Ferrocene ✅
    d) Paracetamol
    Explanation: Ferrocene contains iron bonded to organic rings.
13. Sulfonamides are synthetic analogs of:
    a) Folic acid ✅
    b) Vitamin B12
    c) Penicillin
    d) Biotin
    Explanation: Sulfa drugs inhibit folic acid synthesis in bacteria.
14. Which of the following is a halogenated organic compound used in anesthesia?
    a) Isoflurane ✅
    b) Chloroform
    c) Ether
    d) Acetone
    Explanation: Isoflurane is widely used in modern anesthesia.
15. Which of these drugs contains a benzene ring?
    a) Aspirin ✅
    b) Glycerol
    c) Acetone
    d) Methane
    Explanation: Benzene ring is common in many drugs.
16. Lithium salts are used in the treatment of:
    a) Hypertension
    b) Diabetes
    c) Bipolar disorder ✅
    d) Infections
    Explanation: Lithium stabilizes mood swings.
17. Which inorganic ion plays a key role in nerve transmission?
    a) Calcium ✅
    b) Zinc
    c) Aluminum
    d) Iron
    Explanation: Calcium ions trigger neurotransmitter release.
18. Sodium bicarbonate is used as an:
    a) Antifungal
    b) Antacid ✅
    c) Antibiotic
    d) Antipyretic
    Explanation: It neutralizes stomach acid.
19. Which is an organic base used in synthesis of amine drugs?
    a) Ammonia ✅
    b) Hydrochloric acid
    c) Sodium hydroxide
    d) Sulfuric acid
    Explanation: Ammonia is the simplest amine.
20. The main element in organic molecules is:
    a) Nitrogen
    b) Carbon ✅
    c) Oxygen
    d) Hydrogen
    Explanation: Organic chemistry is the chemistry of carbon.

🟡 MODERATE (21–40)

21. Which reaction converts alkenes into alcohols in synthesis?
    a) Hydrogenation
    b) Hydroboration-oxidation ✅
    c) Halogenation
    d) Polymerization
    Explanation: Adds OH group to an alkene.
22. Which is a chelating agent in metal-based drug formulations?
    a) EDTA ✅
    b) Acetic acid
    c) Ethanol
    d) Urea
    Explanation: EDTA binds to metal ions.
23. Zinc oxide is used in topical formulations as a:
    a) Humectant
    b) Astringent ✅
    c) Solvent
    d) Emulsifier
    Explanation: Zinc oxide protects and soothes the skin.
24. Which of the following is a key step in drug synthesis?
    a) Purification
    b) Functional group modification
    c) Stereochemical control
    d) All of the above ✅
    Explanation: All are important for effectiveness and safety.
25. Which reaction is used in peptide drug synthesis?
    a) Esterification
    b) Amide bond formation ✅
    c) Oxidation
    d) Reduction
    Explanation: Peptides form through amide (peptide) bonds.
26. Nitroglycerin is used as:
    a) Laxative
    b) Vasodilator ✅
    c) Antibiotic
    d) Antiemetic
    Explanation: It widens blood vessels.
27. Which inorganic ion is essential in anticancer platinum drugs?
    a) Cu²⁺
    b) Zn²⁺
    c) Pt²⁺ ✅
    d) Fe³⁺
    Explanation: Platinum is the active ion in cisplatin.
28. Grignard reagents are important for forming:
    a) Aldehydes
    b) Alcohols ✅
    c) Acids
    d) Amines
    Explanation: React with carbonyl compounds to form alcohols.
29. An inorganic compound used to treat goiter is:
    a) Calcium chloride
    b) Sodium iodide ✅
    c) Magnesium sulfate
    d) Potassium carbonate
    Explanation: Iodine is needed for thyroid function.
30. Which reaction adds halogens to alkanes?
    a) Substitution ✅
    b) Addition
    c) Elimination
    d) Condensation
    Explanation: Common way to modify hydrocarbons.
31. Which class of drug is often synthesized using aromatic amines?
    a) Beta blockers ✅
    b) Diuretics
    c) Analgesics
    d) Antifungals
    Explanation: Aromatic amines are used in cardiovascular drugs.
32. Cationic drugs usually bind to receptors via:
    a) Hydrogen bonds
    b) Ionic interactions ✅
    c) Van der Waals forces
    d) Covalent bonds
    Explanation: Positively charged drugs bind to negatively charged sites.
33. Which compound is an example of a sulfa drug?
    a) Sulfamethoxazole ✅
    b) Sulfuric acid
    c) Sodium sulfate
    d) Sulfide
    Explanation: Sulfa drugs have sulfonamide functional groups.
34. An example of organometallic catalyst in synthesis is:
    a) Nickel
    b) Ferrocene ✅
    c) Iron oxide
    d) Gold chloride
    Explanation: Ferrocene is used in asymmetric synthesis.
35. Inorganic compounds are often used in synthesis as:
    a) Reducing agents ✅
    b) Emulsifiers
    c) Surfactants
    d) Preservatives
    Explanation: Metals can donate electrons in synthesis reactions.
36. Which functional group is important for hydrogen bonding in drug-receptor interaction?
    a) Alkyl
    b) Ether
    c) Hydroxyl ✅
    d) Nitro
    Explanation: OH groups form H-bonds.
37. Antacids often contain:
    a) Magnesium carbonate ✅
    b) Potassium nitrate
    c) Sodium chloride
    d) Iron oxide
    Explanation: Neutralizes stomach acid.
38. Which of the following is an anti-psychotic drug with a chlorine atom?
    a) Chlorpromazine ✅
    b) Ibuprofen
    c) Aspirin
    d) Acetaminophen
    Explanation: Named after the chlorine it contains.
39. Synthesis of barbiturates involves which group?
    a) Amide
    b) Ureide ✅
    c) Ester
    d) Ketone
    Explanation: Barbiturates are cyclic ureides.
40. Silver nitrate is used as an:
    a) Antiseptic ✅
    b) Antacid
    c) Stimulant
    d) Vitamin
    Explanation: Kills bacteria on contact.

🔴 HARD (41–50)

41. Which type of isomerism is critical in drug design?
    a) Chain
    b) Geometrical
    c) Optical ✅
    d) Structural
    Explanation: Enantiomers can have different biological effects.
42. Which step is most crucial in prodrug synthesis?
    a) Stability
    b) Activation in body ✅
    c) Taste masking
    d) Color enhancement
    Explanation: Prodrugs must convert to active forms in the body.
43. Which inorganic element is used in radiopharmaceuticals?
    a) Calcium
    b) Technetium-99m ✅
    c) Magnesium
    d) Sodium
    Explanation: Used in diagnostic imaging.
44. Which group increases lipophilicity in drug molecules?
    a) Hydroxyl
    b) Carboxyl
    c) Alkyl ✅
    d) Nitrate
    Explanation: Alkyl groups enhance fat solubility.
45. Aromaticity in drug molecules provides:
    a) Reactivity
    b) Stability ✅
    c) Polarity
    d) Ionization
    Explanation: Aromatic rings are chemically stable.
46. A drug that mimics a neurotransmitter is called:
    a) Inhibitor
    b) Antagonist
    c) Agonist ✅
    d) Catalyst
    Explanation: Agonists bind and activate receptors.
47. Which organometallic reaction is used for carbon-carbon coupling?
    a) Friedel-Crafts
    b) Suzuki reaction ✅
    c) Diels-Alder
    d) Nitration
    Explanation: Suzuki reaction links aryl groups.
48. Which compound is an example of a transition metal complex in drugs?
    a) Calcium citrate
    b) Ferrous sulfate
    c) Cisplatin ✅
    d) Sodium chloride
    Explanation: Transition metal (Pt) is central to activity.
49. Which inorganic compound is used in treating leprosy?
    a) Gold chloride
    b) Sodium stibogluconate
    c) Dapsone ✅
    d) Lithium carbonate
    Explanation: Dapsone is used for leprosy and is sulfone-based.
50. Fluorine is added to drug molecules to:
    a) Increase solubility
    b) Reduce metabolism ✅
    c) Add color
    d) Prevent crystallization
    Explanation: Fluorine increases bioavailability by slowing degradation.