17 Organic Chemist Interview Questions and Answers

Organic chemists work in a variety of settings, from academic research to industrial production. They use their knowledge of chemistry to develop new products and processes or to improve existing ones.

If you’re applying for a job as an organic chemist, you can expect to be asked a range of questions about your skills, experience, and education. The interviewer will also want to know about your research interests and your career goals.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of common organic chemist interview questions and sample answers.

Are you familiar with the properties of carbon-containing compounds?

This question is a test of your knowledge about organic chemistry. It’s important to show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of this subject by providing examples of how carbon-containing compounds are used in industry and everyday life.

Example: “Carbon-containing compounds are essential for many industries, including pharmaceuticals, food production and cosmetics. For example, carbon dioxide is used as an antifreeze in refrigeration units because it has low solubility in water. Carbon monoxide is also used in some industrial processes because it can be easily transported through pipelines.”

What are some of the most important properties of organic compounds?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of organic compounds and how they function. Use examples from your experience or education to highlight your understanding of these important properties.

Example: “Some of the most important properties of organic compounds are their ability to conduct electricity, react with other chemicals and change shape. For example, in my last role as an organic chemist, I was tasked with creating a compound that could be used to create a new type of battery. After researching different types of organic compounds, I found one that had all of the necessary properties to make it suitable for use in a battery.”

How would you classify a compound based on its properties?

This question is a great way to assess your knowledge of organic chemistry and how you apply it in the workplace. Use examples from your experience that show your ability to classify compounds based on their properties, such as solubility, reactivity or stability.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for classifying compounds based on their physical and chemical properties. For example, I would classify a compound based on its solubility, which is the amount of a substance that dissolves in another substance. In this case, I would classify the compound as being soluble, insoluble or slightly soluble. Another property I would consider when classifying a compound is its reactivity, which is the tendency of a substance to undergo a chemical reaction with other substances.”

What is the difference between an alkane and an alkyne?

This question tests your knowledge of organic chemistry. It also shows the interviewer how you apply that knowledge to solve problems and create solutions. Use examples from your experience to show how you use this type of chemical knowledge in your work.

Example: “Alkanes are hydrocarbons with a chain of carbon atoms, while alkynes have one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds. In my last role as an organic chemist, I was tasked with creating a new compound for a client who wanted something that would be safe for humans but deadly to insects. Using my knowledge of alkane and alkyne compounds, I created a solution that would kill bugs without harming people.”

Provide an example of a compound that contains both a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group.

This question is a continuation of the previous one, and it tests your knowledge of organic compounds. It also shows that you can apply what you know to real-world situations. In your answer, describe the compound and its uses.

Example: “In my last position as an organic chemist, I worked with many different types of compounds. One example of a compound that contains both a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group is acetic acid. This compound has many applications in the food industry because it’s used to make vinegar. Vinegar is often used as a preservative for foods like pickles.”

If a reaction between two compounds produced a new compound, what type of reaction did it produce?

This question tests your knowledge of organic chemistry reactions. It also helps the interviewer determine if you have a strong understanding of how to apply that knowledge in an actual work environment. Use examples from your experience or explain what you would do if you had no prior experience with this type of reaction.

Example: “The reaction between two compounds producing a new compound is called a condensation reaction. This reaction occurs when two molecules combine and release water as a byproduct. In my previous role, I used this reaction to create a new compound for a client who needed it for their product.”

What would happen if you added a base to an acid?

This question tests your knowledge of chemical reactions. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you can apply what you know about chemistry to real-world situations. In your answer, try to explain how this reaction would occur and why it’s important for organic chemists to understand these processes.

Example: “When you add a base to an acid, you create a salt and water. This is because bases are hydroxide ions, which react with acids to form salts. The process of adding a base to an acid is called neutralization. Neutralization is important in many industries, including food production, where it’s used to make baking soda.”

How well can you read chemical formulas?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to read and understand complex formulas. Use examples from your experience that show you have a strong understanding of chemical formulas, how they work and what they mean.

Example: “In my previous role as an organic chemist, I was responsible for reading and interpreting many different types of formulas. Some were quite simple, like those with only one or two elements, while others had several more complex components. In all cases, I understood the formulas well enough to know exactly what each element meant and how it would affect the overall reaction.”

Do you have experience using a laboratory instrument to measure the concentration of a chemical?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with using scientific instruments and tools. Use examples from your previous job to highlight your ability to use these tools effectively.

Example: “In my last position, I used a spectrophotometer to measure the concentration of chemicals in solutions. The instrument uses light to analyze the color of a chemical solution and then compares it to a database of known concentrations. This allowed me to accurately measure the concentration of each solution and ensure that they were within safe ranges for human exposure.”

When working with other chemists, how do you communicate your findings about a chemical reaction?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and communicate your ideas. Your answer should show that you are a strong communicator who is able to collaborate with others.

Example: “I find it helpful to write down my findings about a chemical reaction so I can share them with other chemists on my team. This allows me to explain my thoughts in detail, which helps other chemists understand what I’m thinking and why I think it. It also gives them an opportunity to ask questions or provide their own input if they have any additional information.”

We want to produce a chemical that has a specific property. Based on your knowledge of chemical reactions, what ingredients should we use?

This question tests your ability to apply your knowledge of chemical reactions and properties to solve a problem. You can answer this question by describing the steps you would take to create the desired product, including any safety precautions that may be necessary.

Example: “If I wanted to produce a chemical with a specific property, I would first research the different chemicals that could provide that property. Then, I would determine which ingredients are safe for use in an organic setting. Finally, I would combine the ingredients in a way that produces the desired result.”

Describe your experience with using software to analyze large amounts of data.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your technical skills and how you apply them in the workplace. Use examples from your experience to describe what software you use, how it helps you analyze data and any challenges you’ve faced using it.

Example: “In my previous role as an organic chemist, I used a software program called ChemDraw to help me create chemical structures for new products. This software helped me organize all of the information I needed to complete my work, including formulas, molecular weights and other details. However, I found that the software was not compatible with some of the newer operating systems on our company computers, so I had to find alternative ways to access the program.”

What makes some chemical reactions more efficient than others?

This question can help the interviewer assess your knowledge of organic chemistry and how it relates to chemical reactions. Use examples from your experience as an organic chemist to explain what makes some chemical reactions more efficient than others, and why this is important in your role.

Example: “Some chemical reactions are more efficient because they produce fewer byproducts or waste products that need to be disposed of. In my last position, I helped develop a new method for synthesizing certain compounds that was much more efficient than previous methods. This allowed us to create more compounds with less waste, which saved our company money on disposal costs.”

Which properties do you use to identify a chemical?

This question helps the interviewer determine your knowledge of organic chemistry and how you apply it to your work. Use examples from your experience that show your ability to identify chemicals, their properties and how they react with one another.

Example: “I use a variety of methods to identify a chemical’s properties. I first look at its molecular weight, which is calculated by multiplying the atomic weight of each element in the compound. Next, I check for functional groups, which are specific types of atoms or molecules that give the molecule certain characteristics. Finally, I examine the structure of the compound to see if it has any double bonds or rings.”

What do you think is the most important skill for an organic chemist to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine your priorities and how you might fit in with their team. Your answer should show that you have the skills necessary to succeed as an organic chemist, but it can also be a chance to highlight any unique or transferable skills you may have.

Example: “I think communication is the most important skill for an organic chemist to have. Organic chemists work on teams of other scientists, so we need to be able to clearly explain our ideas and results. We also often collaborate with people outside of science, such as marketing professionals, so being able to communicate effectively with them is essential. I am confident in my ability to speak confidently in front of large groups and write clearly and concisely.”

How often do you perform routine maintenance on your lab equipment?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with lab equipment and how often you perform routine maintenance. It can also show them that you are aware of safety procedures when working in a laboratory setting. When answering, consider mentioning specific instances where you performed regular maintenance on lab equipment to highlight your knowledge of proper procedure.

Example: “I am very familiar with the importance of performing regular maintenance on lab equipment. In my last position, I was responsible for maintaining all of our equipment, including computers, microscopes and other tools used for testing samples. I would check each piece of equipment at least once per week to ensure it was functioning properly. If any equipment needed repairs, I would immediately report it to my supervisor so they could arrange for someone to fix it.”

There is a chemical reaction that is not producing the desired results. How do you adjust the experiment to produce the desired product?

This question is a great way to test your problem-solving skills and ability to adjust experiments. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you would approach the situation.

Example: “In my last position as an organic chemist, I was working on creating a new type of plastic that was biodegradable. However, after several weeks of testing, we were unable to produce the desired results. After discussing our options with my team, we decided to change the experiment by adding more heat to the reaction. This adjustment allowed us to create the product we were looking for.”