PREPARATORY PROBLEMS FROM THE 50th IChO - Series 4 - Preparatory Problems

Sep 27, 2026

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Preparatory Problems from the International Chemistry Olympiads, Series 4, presents 28 theoretical problems and 8 practical problems for the 50th IChO. The preface explains the purpose of easing preparation for students and mentors using high-school chemistry foundations plus six advanced theoretical topics and two advanced practical topics. It defines Fields of Advanced Difficulty across thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry, inorganic complexes, stereochemistry, and DNA/RNA. Notes clarify that some listed topics will not appear in the exam set and give general evaluation rules.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages190

Reading Time7 h 59 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Fields of Advanced Difficulty

Notes

Contents

Theoretical Problems

Practical Problems

50 th PREPARATORY PROBLEMS Edited by Anton Sirota 28 theoretical problems 8 practical problems 2018 THE PREPARATORY PROBLEMS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY OLYMPIADS, Series 4 THE PREPARATORY PROBLEMS FROM THE 50th IChO Edited by Anton Sirota IChO International Information Centre, Bratislava, Slovakia ISBN 978-80-8072-174-9 Copyright © 2019 by IUVENTA Issued by IUVENTA in 2020 with the financial support of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic Number of copies: 200 Not for sale. You are free to copy, distribute, transmit or adapt this publication or its parts for unlimited teaching purposes, however, as it is usual and required in the chemical literature , you are obliged to attribute your copies, transmissions in internet or adaptations with a reference to: "The Preparatory Problems from the International Chemistry Olympiads, Series 4, The Preparatory Problems from the 50th IChO, editor Anton Sirota, IIC IChO, Iuventa, Bratislava, 2020”. The above conditions can be waived if you get permission from the copyright holder. Issued by IUVENTA in 2020 with the financial support of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic Number of copies: 200 Not for sale. International Chemistry Olympiad International Information Centre Director: Anton Sirota IUVENTA Karloveská 64 , 84258 Bratislava 1 , Slovakia Phone: +421-907-473367 E-mail: [anton.sirota@stuba.sk](anton.sirota@stuba.sk) [Web: www.icho.sk](Web: www.icho.sk) The original title page: PREPARATORY PROBLEMS 50th IChO 2018 International Chemistry Olympiad SLOVAKIA & CZECH REPUBLIC BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN Preface We are happy to introduce the Preparatory Problems for the 50th International Chemistry Olympiad. These problems are intended to make the preparation for the Olympiad easier for both students and their mentors. The problems we prepared cover a wide range of challenging topics in modern chemistry. We based the problems on subjects typically covered in high school chemistry courses as well as six topics of advanced difficulty for the Theoretical part and two topics of advanced difficulty for the Practical part. These topics are listed under “Topics of Advanced Difficulty”, and their applications are shown in the preparatory problems. Based on our experience, each of these topics can be introduced to well-prepared students in two to three hours. Bratislava and Prague, January 2018 Petra Ménová and Martin Putala , editors Fields of Advanced Difficulty 1. Thermodynamics: relation of equilibrium constants and standard Gibbs energy, van 't Hoff equation, weak acid-base equilibria 2. Kinetics: integrated rate law for first- and second-order reactions, half-life, Arrhenius equation, relaxation methods in chemical kinetics, kinetic isotope effects 3. Electrochemistry: electrochemical cells, Nernst-Peterson equation, Latimer, Frost and Pourbaix diagrams 4. Inorganic complexes: crystal field theory 5. Stereochemistry: organic stereochemistry, diastereoselective reactions 6. DNA and RNA: nucleobases, hydrogen bonding between bases and its thermodynamics Notes We do not expect students to get an advanced training in the following topics met in the preparatory problems as they WILL NOT appear in the exam set. 􀁸 Claisen rearrangement 􀁸 Chemistry of N-oxides 􀁸 Arrow-pushing mechanisms 􀁸 Use of spreadsheet software 􀁸 Solving cubic equations Polymer chemistry will be covered only from the viewpoint of organic chemistry. No further biochemistry of nucleic acids than covered in the preparatory problems. Unless stated otherwise, the number of significant figures reported by the student will not be evaluated. THE FIFTIETH INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD 20–29 JULY 2018 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC PREPARATORY PROBLEMS Contents Theoretical Problems Problem 1. Synthesis of hydrogen cyanide .........................................................

FAQs

What is the purpose of these Preparatory Problems for the 50th IChO?

They are intended to make preparation for the Olympiad easier for both students and their mentors by covering a wide range of challenging modern chemistry topics.

Which areas are included under Fields of Advanced Difficulty for the theoretical problems?

Thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry, inorganic complexes, stereochemistry, and DNA and RNA topics are listed as advanced fields.

Are all topics mentioned in the preparatory problems expected to appear in the exam set?

No. The notes state that students are not expected to get advanced training in several listed topics because they WILL NOT appear in the exam set.

Sep 27, 2026

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