Zhihan Nan - Theory and Problems for Chemistry Olympiad: Challenging Concepts in Chemistry

Theory and Problems for

Chemistry Olympiad

Challenging Concepts in Chemistry

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Theory and Problems for

Chemistry Olympiad

Challenging Concepts in Chemistry

Zhihan Nan

Sheng Zhang

National University of Singapore, Singapore

Published by

World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

5 Toh Tuck Link, Singapore 596224

USA office: 27 Warren Street, Suite 401-402, Hackensack, NJ 07601

UK office: 57 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9HE

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Nan, Zhihan, author. | Zhang, Sheng (Lecturer in chemistry), author.

Title: Theory and problems for Chemistry Olympiad : challenging concepts in chemistry /
Zhihan Nan, Sheng Zhang.

Description: New Jersey : World Scientific, [2020] | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019030146 | ISBN 9789813238992 (hardcover) |
ISBN 9789811210419 (paperback)

Subjects: LCSH: International Chemistry Olympiad--Study guides. |
Chemistry--Problems, exercises, etc.

Classification: LCC QD42 .N32 2019 | DDC 540.76--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019030146

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Copyright 2020 by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without written permission from the publisher.

For photocopying of material in this volume, please pay a copying fee through the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA. In this case permission to photocopy is not required from the publisher.

For any available supplementary material, please visit

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Printed in Singapore

The International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018, growing from a small competition with only 3 participating countries and 18 competing students to what it is now a worldwide event attracting 76 countries and 300 students. To select a team of students to represent Singapore at IChO, the Singapore Chemistry Olympiad (SChO) was launched in 1989 and it has become an annual event since then.

Chemistry Olympiad aims to motivate pre-tertiary students to study beyond the syllabus and stimulate their thinking through solving challenging chemistry problems. It is able to further develop the interest of pre-tertiary students in chemistry and improve chemistry education by providing interested students with more resources.

This book is the first textbook that caters specifically to students preparing for the Chemistry Olympiad competition. Previously, eager students had to browse through many university level textbooks to gain bits and pieces of information in the different fields of chemistry. The objective of this book is to bring down university level concepts to pre-tertiary students in a concise manner, combining important knowledge from all fields of chemistry into one book. The book presents chemical concepts in a succinct fashion, with key focus on the logical flow of concepts. Clear explanations are given such that students are able to fully understand the theories presented.

As I read through the draft of Theories and Problems for Chemistry Olympiad, I was impressed by how the concepts taught in university are linked to the topics familiar to pre-tertiary students. The knowledge gap was bridged through detailed justification, with every physical chemistry equation derived and every organic reaction described by its mechanism. It was a joy to read through as there were many figures and diagrams used to illustrate the concepts. The writing is clear and easy to read, so it should help even a beginner get his/her bearing. In particular, the pedagogy is effective in keeping readers engaged as each chapter connects to the next. At the end of the book, students are also able to test their understanding by attempting sample IChO problems with detailed solutions.

Nan Zhihan has participated in IChO 2016, achieving a gold medal and the IUPAC prize for highest score in the experimental examination. After participating in the competition, he has devoted much of his efforts in mentoring and training the Singapore team for IChO 2017, 2018 and 2019. As a gold medallist, he understands the requirements and challenges in preparing for the competition and shares his personal experience in this book. Dr Zhang Sheng is a lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, NUS, and has been the mentor of the Singapore Chemistry Olympiad team for 9 years, training and leading the Singapore team for International Chemistry Olympiad competitions. Over the years of his mentorship, Singapore team has won a total of 16 Gold Medals and 19 Silver Medals in IChO. With vast experience in Chemistry Olympiad training, Nan Zhihan and Zhang Sheng form a formidable team to complete this valuable resource for perspective students.

I believe that this book is a valuable companion for students preparing for the Chemistry Olympiad competition. However, I would also recommend this book to any student curious to learn more about chemistry, including freshmen at university. With Chemistry Olympiad gaining prominence, I encourage interested students to take up the challenge and discover their passion in chemistry.

Professor Wong Ming Wah, Richard

Head, Department of Chemistry
National University of Singapore

Chapter 2.5

: Sample galvanic cell by Hazmat2 is from Wikipedia commons.

Chapter 3.1

: Orbital Graphs by As6673 are from Wikipedia commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Chapter 3.6

: Monoclinic cell by Fred the Oyster from Wikipedia commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified to describe the 7 crystal systems.