Chapter 8 of NCERT Class 11 Chemistry introduces students to the basics of Organic Chemistry – a subject that forms a major chunk of higher-level chemistry. Titled “Some Basic Principles and Techniques”, this chapter sets the foundation for understanding organic compounds, their structures, reactions, and methods of purification. It covers crucial topics like the classification of organic compounds, functional groups, IUPAC naming, electronic effects, and reaction mechanisms. Whether it’s hydrocarbons, alcohols, or aldehydes, everything begins from the basics explained in this chapter.
I’m writing this article because many students get confused when they start Organic Chemistry. The structures, names, and different types of reactions can feel overwhelming at first. But this chapter gives you a proper step-by-step understanding to build your base. From my own experience, I can say that if you understand this chapter well, you will find future organic chapters in both Class 11 and Class 12 much easier. Also, a good grasp of these basics helps a lot during JEE or NEET preparations, where questions often test your conceptual clarity rather than memorised facts. So, this chapter deserves full attention, and having access to the NCERT PDF will help you revise it anytime.
What You Will Learn in Chapter 8
This chapter is all about understanding how organic compounds are formed, classified, named, and studied in the lab. It’s not just theory — these concepts are applied in every reaction you’ll study later.
1. Classification of Organic Compounds
- Based on carbon chains: open-chain and cyclic
- Types: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatic compounds
- Homologous series
2. Functional Groups
- Specific atoms or groups giving identity to compounds
- Common examples: -OH, -COOH, -NH₂, -CHO, etc.
- Understanding how they affect reactivity and properties
3. IUPAC Nomenclature
- Systematic naming of organic compounds
- Prefix-root-suffix structure
- Examples for alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, etc.
4. Isomerism
- Structural isomers: same formula, different structure
- Chain, position, functional group isomerism
5. Electronic Displacements
- Inductive effect
- Resonance (Mesomeric effect)
- Hyperconjugation
- These concepts help understand reactivity of compounds
6. Types of Organic Reactions
- Substitution, addition, elimination, and rearrangement
- Reaction mechanism basics
7. Purification and Characterisation of Organic Compounds
- Techniques like crystallisation, distillation, chromatography
- Elemental analysis: Lassaigne’s test
- Quantitative analysis: estimation of C, H, N
