Pharmacist Licensure Exam High-Yield Flashcards: Pharmaceutical Chemistry - Module 1

A collection of 100 high-yield pharmaceutical chemistry flashcards covering atomic theory, gas laws, thermodynamics, and medicinal inorganic chemistry.

What are the three most abundant elements in the Earth's crust?

1. Oxygen, 2. Silicon, 3. Aluminum. Mnemonic: OSA = Oxygen → Silicon → Aluminum.

What are the three most abundant elements in the human body?

1. Oxygen, 2. Carbon, 3. Hydrogen. Mnemonic: OCH = Oxygen → Carbon → Hydrogen.

What is the smallest known particle of matter that retains the identity of an element?

Atom

What is an element?

A substance composed of only one type of atom (e.g., $Na$, $O_2$, $Cl_2$, $Fe$).

Differentiate a molecule from a compound.

Molecule: Two or more atoms chemically bonded (same or different elements). Compound: Two or more DIFFERENT elements chemically combined.

Who proposed the first concept of the indivisible "atomos"?

Democritus

Who proposed the Solid Sphere (Billiard Ball) Model?

John Dalton

Who proposed the Plum Pudding (Raisin Bread) Model?

J. J. Thomson

Who discovered the atomic nucleus?

Ernest Rutherford

Who proposed the Planetary Model of the atom?

Niels Bohr

Who proposed the Quantum Mechanical Model?

Erwin Schr6dinger

Who measured the charge of the electron through the Oil Drop Experiment?

Robert Millikan

Who discovered the neutron?

James Chadwick

Define isotopes.

Atoms having the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Same atomic number; different mass number.

Define isotones.

Atoms with the same number of neutrons.

Define isobars.

Atoms having the same mass number.

What is the difference between mass number and atomic mass?

Mass Number = Protons + Neutrons. Atomic Mass = Weighted average mass of naturally occurring isotopes.

$NaCl → Na + Cl$ What type of reaction is illustrated?

Decomposition (Analysis) Reaction

What is the general equation for a synthesis reaction?

$$A + B → AB$$

State the Pauli Exclusion Principle.

No two electrons in an atom can possess the same four quantum numbers.

Which polyatomic ion is $NO_2$?

Nitrite

Which polyatomic ion is $ClO$?

Hypochlorite

Which molecular geometry has a bond angle of $109.5^∘$?

Tetrahedral

What are the standard values at STP?

Temperature = $273 K$ ($0^∘C$); Pressure = $1 atm$ ($760 torr$); Molar Volume = $22.4 dm^3 mol^{-1}$; Gas Constant ($R$) = $0.0821 dm^3 atm mol^{-1} K^{-1}$.

State Boyle's Law.

At constant temperature, pressure is inversely proportional to volume ($P_1V_1 = P_2V_2$).

State Charles' Law.

At constant pressure, the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute (Kelvin) temperature ($\frac{V_1}{T_1} = \frac{V_2}{T_2}$).

State Gay-Lussac's Law.

At constant volume, pressure is directly proportional to absolute temperature ($\frac{P_1}{T_1} = \frac{P_2}{T_2}$).

State Avogadro's Law.

At constant temperature and pressure, gas volume is directly proportional to the number of moles ($\frac{V_1}{n_1} = \frac{V_2}{n_2}$).

What is the Ideal Gas Law?

$$PV = nRT$$

What does Graham's Law describe?

The rate of diffusion or effusion of gases ($\frac{r_1}{r_2} = \sqrt{\frac{M_2}{M_1}}$).

Which law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed?

First Law of Thermodynamics

Which law states that entropy of an isolated system always increases?

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Which law states that the entropy of a perfect crystal approaches zero at absolute zero?

Third Law of Thermodynamics

What happens to an exothermic reaction when temperature is increased?

The equilibrium shifts toward the reactants (left).

What equation is used to calculate the pH of buffer solutions?

Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation

Which equation is used to determine buffer capacity?

Van Slyke Equation

What equation relates absorbance to concentration in spectrophotometry?

Beer-Lambert Law (A = ̀bc)

Which equation predicts reaction rate as affected by temperature and is commonly used in shelf-life estimation?

Arrhenius Equation

Which modern element was once called eka-aluminum?

Gallium

Which modern element was once called eka-silicon?

Germanium

Which modern element was once called eka-manganese?

Technetium

Which pair is considered a bridge (diagonal relationship) element?

Lithium and Magnesium. Other pairs: Be–Al, B–Si.

What is meant by bridge elements?

Elements located diagonally adjacent in the periodic table that exhibit similar chemical properties.

The electron configuration $1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1$ corresponds to which element?

Sodium ($Na$)

What is an aprotic solvent?

A solvent that does not donate protons and usually lacks $O–H$ or $N–H$ bonds (e.g., benzene, carbon tetrachloride).

What is a protogenic solvent?

A proton donor (e.g., $H_2SO_4$, $HF$).

What is a protophilic solvent?

A proton acceptor (e.g., liquid ammonia, amines).

What is an amphiprotic solvent?

A solvent that can both donate and accept protons (e.g., water, alcohols).

What was the first radioactive element widely used in medicine?

Radium

Which ions are primarily responsible for the hardness of water?

Calcium ($Ca^{2+}$) and Magnesium ($Mg^{2+}$)

What is soft water?

Water containing very low concentrations of calcium ($Ca^{2+}$) and magnesium ($Mg^{2+}$) ions.

Differentiate temporary and permanent hardness of water.

Temporary: $Ca(HCO_3)_2$ and $Mg(HCO_3)_2$ (removed by boiling). Permanent: Calcium and magnesium chlorides or sulfates (requires chemical treatment).

Which allotropes of carbon are crystalline?

Diamond, Graphite, Graphene, and Fullerenes.

Which coal is considered a soft amorphous allotrope of carbon?

Bituminous coal

Which coal is considered a hard amorphous allotrope of carbon?

Anthracite

Which metal ion serves as the cofactor of carbonic anhydrase?

Zinc ($Zn^{2+}$)

Which metal ion is the cofactor for alcohol dehydrogenase?

Zinc ($Zn^{2+}$)

Which metal is the cofactor for catalase?

Iron ($Fe$)

Which metal is the cofactor for xanthine oxidase?

Molybdenum ($Mo$)

Which vitamin forms Thiamine Pyrophosphate (TPP)?

Vitamin $B_1$ (Thiamine)

Which vitamin coenzyme is required for aldehyde transfer reactions?

Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP)

Which vitamin forms Pyridoxal Phosphate (PLP)?

Vitamin $B_6$

Which vitamin forms Coenzyme A (CoA)?

Vitamin $B_5$ (Pantothenic acid)

Which vitamin forms NAD and NADP?

Vitamin $B_3$ (Niacin)

What acid is capable of dissolving gold by itself?

Selenic acid

What is aqua regia?

A mixture of 3 parts hydrochloric acid and 1 part nitric acid ($3 HCl : 1 HNO_3$).

What is the primary use of Karl Fischer Reagent (KFR)?

Determination of water content.

What is the primary standard used in Karl Fischer titration?

Sodium tartrate dihydrate

What is an efflorescent substance?

A substance that loses water of crystallization upon exposure to air.

Give two examples of efflorescent substances.

Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) and Sodium carbonate (Washing soda).

What is a deliquescent substance?

A substance that absorbs moisture from the air until it dissolves.

What is a hygroscopic substance?

A substance that absorbs moisture from the atmosphere but does not necessarily dissolve.

Which antacids commonly cause rebound hyperacidity?

Sodium bicarbonate and Calcium carbonate.

Why does calcium carbonate cause rebound hyperacidity?

It stimulates gastrin release and produces carbon dioxide ($CO_2$).

Why is sodium bicarbonate associated with rebound hyperacidity?

Its reaction with hydrochloric acid produces carbon dioxide, causing gastric distention and secondary acid secretion.

Methenamine becomes bactericidal after conversion into which active compound?

Formaldehyde

Why is methenamine administered together with urinary acidifiers?

To maintain acidic urine and promote conversion of methenamine to formaldehyde.

At what urinary pH is methenamine most effective?

Below $pH 5.5$

Which antioxidant functions primarily as a chelating (synergistic) antioxidant?

EDTA

Give three examples of true antioxidants commonly used in pharmaceutical preparations.

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), and Tocopherol (Vitamin E).

Name three antioxidant synergists.

EDTA, Citric acid, and Phosphoric acid.

Magnesium sulfate is the established antidote for poisoning by which metal?

Barium ($Ba^{2+} + SO_4^{2-} → BaSO_4 ↓$)

List two important therapeutic uses of magnesium sulfate aside from poisoning management.

Treatment of eclampsia/pre-eclampsia and acting as a saline cathartic (laxative).

Arrange the hydrogen halides according to decreasing acidity.

$$HI > HBr > HCl > HF$$

Which hydrogen halide is the strongest acid?

Hydroiodic acid ($HI$)

How much sodium is present in Lactated Ringer's Injection?

$$130 mEq dm^{-3}$$

How much potassium is present in Lactated Ringer's Injection?

$$4 mEq dm^{-3}$$

How much calcium is present in Lactated Ringer's Injection?

$$3 mEq dm^{-3}$$

How much lactate is contained in Lactated Ringer's Injection?

$$28 mEq dm^{-3}$$

One hundred-volume hydrogen peroxide corresponds to what concentration?

$$30$$

What is the oxidation state of chromium in potassium dichromate ($K_2Cr_2O_7$)?

$$+6$$

What is the usual oxidation state of oxygen?

$-2$ (except in peroxides and superoxides).

What is the oxidation state of oxygen in hydrogen peroxide?

$$-1$$

What is the usual oxidation state of fluorine?

$$-1$$

Chemically, talc is classified as what?

Native hydrous magnesium silicate

Chemically, kaolin is classified as what?

Native hydrous aluminum silicate

What is bentonite?

Native colloidal aluminum silicate

Which pharmaceutical clay is of volcanic origin?

Bentonite

What is the common name of ammoniated mercury?

White precipitate

Is ammoniated mercury soluble in water and alcohol?

No. It is insoluble in both water and alcohol, but dissolves in mineral acids.