Why iodoform has appreciable antiseptic property?

NCERT Exemplar · Q47

Q. Why iodoform has appreciable antiseptic property?

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Concept understanding — Organic Compound Applications

Organic Compound Applications: From Everyday Life to Industry

Imagine you wake up in the morning. The plastic of your toothbrush, the polyester in your shirt, the paracetamol you take for a headache, the LPG that cooks your breakfast, the soap you wash your hands with — every single one of these is an organic compound. You are literally surrounded by them.

The word "organic" here has nothing to do with food labels. In chemistry, an organic compound is any compound whose molecules contain carbon, almost always bonded to hydrogen, and often to oxygen, nitrogen, and other elements. The reason carbon is special is that it can form four stable bonds, allowing it to build chains, rings, and complex structures — millions of them. This is why organic compounds are the basis of life and of modern materials.

The Core Idea: Structure Determines Function

The entire field of organic chemistry rests on one principle: the way atoms are arranged in a molecule determines what that molecule does.

A small change in structure can completely change a compound's properties. For example:

Ethanol ( $C_2H_5OH$ ) — the alcohol in drinks — is a liquid that mixes with water and is consumed by humans.
Dimethyl ether ( $CH_3OCH_3$ ) — same atoms, same formula ( $C_2H_6O$ ), but arranged differently — is a gas used as a refrigerant and is toxic if inhaled.

This is called structural isomerism, and it's why organic chemistry is so rich and why applications are so diverse.

The Precise Statement

Organic compounds are carbon-based molecules (excluding simple oxides, carbonates, and carbides) whose applications arise directly from their molecular structure — specifically, the functional groups they contain and the size/shape of their carbon skeleton.

A functional group is a specific atom or group of atoms within a molecule that gives it characteristic chemical behaviour. For instance:

The –OH group (alcohol) makes a compound able to dissolve in water and act as a disinfectant.
The –COOH group (carboxylic acid) makes it acidic and able to form esters (fragrances, plastics).
The –NH₂ group (amine) makes it basic and crucial for dyes and medicines.

How Applications Flow from Structure

Let's see this in action with real examples you'll encounter in exams:

Functional Group	Example Compound	Application	Why?
–OH (alcohol)	Ethanol	Fuel, solvent, antiseptic	Small polar molecule; burns cleanly; kills bacteria by denaturing proteins
–COOH (carboxylic acid)	Acetic acid	Vinegar (food preservative)	Weak acid kills microbes; sour taste
–COO– (ester)	Ethyl acetate	Nail polish remover, fruit flavour	Pleasant smell; volatile (evaporates quickly)
–CONH– (amide)	Nylon-66	Fibres for clothing, ropes	Strong hydrogen bonds between chains give tensile strength
–C₆H₅ (benzene ring)	Paracetamol	Pain reliever	Ring structure fits into enzyme active sites in the body

Note

In Indian exams (JEE, NEET, board exams), you are often asked to match a compound with its application or explain why a particular functional group leads to a specific use. The key is to connect the functional group's chemical property (polarity, acidity, reactivity) to the real-world need.

The Three Big Application Domains

1. Pharmaceuticals and Medicine

Most drugs are organic compounds. The structure is designed to interact with a specific biological target (enzyme, receptor) in your body. For example:

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) has an ester and a carboxylic acid group — the ester is hydrolysed in the body to release the active salicylic acid.
Chloroquine (antimalarial) has a quinoline ring and an amine side chain — the ring mimics natural molecules, allowing it to enter cells.

2. Polymers and Plastics

Long chains of repeating organic units (monomers) give materials with specific properties:

Polyethylene ( $-CH_2-CH_2-)_n$ — simple chain, flexible, used in bags and bottles.
Teflon ( $-CF_2-CF_2-)_n$ — fluorine atoms replace hydrogen, making it non-stick and chemically inert.

3. Fuels and Energy

Hydrocarbons (only C and H) are the simplest organic compounds. Their combustion releases energy:

Methane ( $CH_4$ ) — natural gas, cleanest burning. …

Why this formula?

Organic Compound Applications: Understanding the Why Behind the Key Ideas

In organic chemistry, applications often revolve around reaction mechanisms, functional group transformations, and physical property trends. The "formulae" here are not always mathematical — they are conceptual frameworks and reaction patterns that explain why a compound behaves a certain way.

Let’s break down the core reasoning behind the most important applications.

1. Why Do Functional Groups Determine Reactivity?

Key idea: The functional group is the reactive site — the rest of the molecule (the carbon skeleton) is mostly a spectator.

Reasoning:

Electron density distribution is uneven in a functional group.
- Example: In a carbonyl group ( $\ce{C=O}$ ), oxygen is more electronegative than carbon.
- This creates a partial positive charge on carbon ( $\delta^+$ ) and a partial negative charge on oxygen ( $\delta^-$ ).
Nucleophiles (electron-rich species) attack the $\delta^+$ carbon.
Electrophiles (electron-deficient species) attack the $\delta^-$ oxygen or lone pairs.

Why this matters: This explains why aldehydes undergo nucleophilic addition, while alkenes undergo electrophilic addition — the type of charge separation dictates the reaction.

2. Why Do Boiling Points Follow a Trend?

Key formula (conceptual):

Boiling point $\propto$ (molecular mass) + (intermolecular force strength)

Reasoning:

Van der Waals forces increase with molecular size (more electrons → more temporary dipoles).
Hydrogen bonding (in alcohols, carboxylic acids, amines) adds a strong intermolecular force — much stronger than dipole-dipole or London forces.
Branching reduces surface area → weaker London forces → lower boiling point.

Example comparison:

Compound	Type	Boiling point (°C)	Why?
Butane ( $\ce{C4H10}$ )	Alkane	-0.5	Only London forces
Propanol ( $\ce{C3H7OH}$ )	Alcohol	97	H-bonding dominates
Acetone ( $\ce{C3H6O}$ )	Ketone	56	Dipole-dipole only

Takeaway: The type of intermolecular force matters more than molecular mass alone.

3. Why Do Substitution Reactions Follow SN1 or SN2?

Key formula (rate law):

SN2: Rate $= k[\text{RX}][\text{Nu}^-]$
SN1: Rate $= k[\text{RX}]$

Reasoning (the why):

SN2 is a one-step process: nucleophile attacks from the back while the leaving group departs.
- Requires no carbocation intermediate.
- Favored by primary alkyl halides (less steric hindrance).
SN1 is a two-step process:
1. Leaving group leaves → forms a carbocation (slow, rate-determining step).
2. Nucleophile attacks the carbocation (fast).
- Favored by tertiary alkyl halides (carbocation is more stable due to hyperconjugation and inductive effects).

Why this matters: The structure of the alkyl halide determines which pathway dominates — this is why tertiary halides react via SN1 (no backside attack possible) and primary halides via SN2.

4. Why Do Aromatic Compounds Resist Addition?

Key concept: Aromaticity — the delocalized $\pi$ -electron cloud stabilizes the ring.

Reasoning:

Benzene ( $\ce{C6H6}$ ) has 6 $\pi$ -electrons in a cyclic, planar, conjugated system.
Hückel's rule: Aromatic if $4n+2$ $\pi$ -electrons (here $n=1$ ).
Addition would break the aromatic ring → lose the resonance stabilization energy (~150 kJ/mol for benzene).
Instead, electrophilic substitution occurs — the ring keeps its aromaticity.

Why this matters: This explains why benzene undergoes nitration, halogenation, etc., but not addition reactions like alkenes do.

5. Why Do Carboxylic Acids Have Higher Acidity Than Alcohols? …

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Iodoform’s antiseptic property comes from the slow release of free iodine when it decomposes in contact with body fluids — iodine is a powerful germicide, and the gradual release avoids toxicity while maintaining sustained action.

Iodoform ( $\text{CHI}_3$ ) is a yellow, crystalline solid with a characteristic odour. Its antiseptic action is not due to the molecule itself, but to what it does when it meets the moist environment of a wound.

The key is iodine. Free iodine ( $\text{I}_2$ ) is an excellent antiseptic — it kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses by oxidising their proteins and enzymes. But pure iodine is harsh: it stains, stings, and can be toxic if absorbed in large amounts. Iodoform solves this by acting as a slow-release reservoir of iodine.

When iodoform is applied to a wound, it decomposes slowly in the presence of moisture, light, and body heat, liberating free iodine ( $\text{I}_2$ ) at the wound surface — a gradual, sustained release rather than a single clean reaction (NCERT's own answer says simply: due to liberation of free iodine).

The free iodine is released gradually, not all at once. This gives a sustained, mild antiseptic effect — strong enough to kill microbes, but gentle enough not to damage healthy tissue. The iodine also helps dry the wound (it is a mild astringent), which further discourages bacterial growth.

Watch out

A common mistake is to think iodoform itself is the germicide. It is not — it is the iodine released that does the work. Iodoform is simply a stable, non-irritating carrier. …

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Here is a breakdown of the common mistakes students make when answering "Why does iodoform have appreciable antiseptic property?" and how to avoid them.

The Core Concept (The "Why")

The antiseptic property of iodoform ( $\text{CHI}_3$ ) is not primarily due to iodoform itself. It is due to the slow release of free iodine ( $\text{I}_2$ ) when iodoform decomposes in contact with body fluids or tissues.

Iodoform decomposes gradually on contact with body fluids, liberating free iodine ( $\text{I}_2$ ) over time.

Free iodine is a powerful germicide (kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses). Iodoform acts as a solid carrier that provides a sustained, slow release of iodine at the wound site.

Common Mistake #1: Confusing Iodoform with Iodine

The Mistake:

Students say: "Iodoform is an antiseptic because it contains iodine." This is incomplete and technically misleading. Many iodine-containing compounds (like KI or NaI) are not antiseptics because they do not release free iodine.

Why it’s wrong:

The antiseptic action depends on the release of free iodine, not just the presence of iodine in the molecule. Iodoform is special because it decomposes to release $\text{I}_2$ under physiological conditions.

How to Avoid:

Always mention the decomposition step. Never just say "it has iodine."
Compare: Iodoform releases $\text{I}_2$ ; potassium iodide ( $\text{KI}$ ) does not.
Key phrase to use: "Iodoform acts as a slow-release source of free iodine."

Common Mistake #2: Forgetting the "Slow Release" Mechanism

The Mistake:

Students write: "Iodoform decomposes to give iodine, which kills germs." This is correct but incomplete. They miss the why this is useful — the slow, sustained release.

Why it’s wrong:

If all the iodine were released at once, it would be toxic and irritating. The slow release allows for prolonged antiseptic action with minimal tissue damage.

How to Avoid:

Add the word "slow" or "gradual."
Explain the advantage: "The slow release ensures a continuous, low concentration of iodine at the wound site, which is effective against microbes but safe for tissues."

Common Mistake #3: Confusing Antiseptic with Disinfectant

The Mistake:

Students use the terms interchangeably or say iodoform is a disinfectant.

Why it’s wrong:

Antiseptic: Applied to living tissue (wounds, skin) to prevent infection.
Disinfectant: Applied to non-living surfaces (instruments, floors).

Iodoform is used on wounds — it is an antiseptic.

How to Avoid:

Remember the context: Iodoform is used in surgical dressings and wound powders.
Use the correct term: Always say "antiseptic" for iodoform.

Common Mistake #4: Ignoring the Role of the Iodoform Molecule Itself

The Mistake:

Students think the antiseptic property is due to the entire $\text{CHI}_3$ molecule reacting directly with bacteria.

Why it’s wrong: …

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Same / Similar Concept — real previous-year questions on the same or a closely similar concept, not this exact question.

Showing the 12 most recent of 24 on this concept.

AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQ
$Q. The antibiotic which is supposed to be toxic towards certain strains of cancer cells is (A) Chloroamphenicol (B) Dysidazirine (C) Soframicine (D) Salvarsan$
›Reveal solutionSolution
Antibiotics are classified by spectrum and special activity; the one specifically

flagged as toxic to certain cancer-cell strains is Dysidazirine. Answer: (B).

Concept and Intuition

Antibiotics can be broad-spectrum (effective against many types of organisms/cells) or

narrow-spectrum (effective against a limited range), and a few carry a special noted

biological activity beyond simple antibacterial action. Chloramphenicol is a classic

broad-spectrum antibiotic active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and

even some Rickettsiae. Soframicine (framycetin) is a broad-spectrum aminoglycoside used

mainly topically. Salvarsan is historically important as an early arsenic-based

chemotherapeutic against syphilis (not a true antibiotic in the modern sense and not

associated with anticancer activity). Dysidazirine, isolated from marine sponges, is

specifically documented as being toxic toward certain strains of cancer cells,

distinguishing it in these classification lists.

Step-by-Step Solution

Recall the special-activity antibiotics list taught alongside broad/narrow spectrum classification.

Chloramphenicol — broad spectrum, not specifically anticancer. …
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AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQ
$Q. Match the following List - I | List - II A. Norethindrone | I. Antiseptic B. Bithionol | II. Antihistamine C. Brompheniramine | III. Tranquillizer D. Serotonin | IV. Antifertility drug The correct answer is (A) A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I (B) A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II (C) A-IV, B-I, C-III, D-II (D) A-IV, B-I, C-II, D-III$
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests recall of drug-class matching from the Chemistry in Everyday Life chapter; the correct match is A-IV, B-I, C-II, D-III.

Concept and Intuition

Each compound in List-I is a well-known example of a drug class in List-II. Fixing the three unambiguous pairs first lets the fourth be confirmed by elimination.

Step-by-Step Solution

Norethindrone (A): a synthetic progesterone derivative used as a hormonal contraceptive — an antifertility drug $\Rightarrow$ A-IV.

Bithionol (B): incorporated into soaps and dusting powders for its germicidal action — an antiseptic $\Rightarrow$ B-I.

Brompheniramine (C): a classic first-generation antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms $\Rightarrow$ C-II.

Serotonin (D): the only category left unassigned is III, Tranquillizer $\Rightarrow$ D-III. …
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AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-AN1 markMCQ
$Q. What is the drug used to control depression and hypertension? (A) Bithionol (B) Equanil (C) Dimetapp (D) Prontosil$
›Reveal solutionSolution
Tranquilizers act on the central nervous system to relieve stress, mild/severe mental diseases, and are also used to control blood pressure; Equanil is the textbook example named for controlling both depression and hypertension.

Concept and Intuition

Drugs are classified by their therapeutic action: antiseptics (Bithionol) kill/inhibit microorganisms on living tissue; antihistamines (Dimetapp) block histamine receptors to relieve allergy symptoms; antibacterials/sulfa drugs (Prontosil) treat bacterial infections; tranquilizers act on the central nervous system, relieving anxiety, stress and (in some cases) blood pressure. Equanil is specifically the NCERT-cited tranquilizer used to control depression and also hypertension.

Step-by-Step Solution

Bithionol — antiseptic, used in soaps to control skin infection (and historically as an anthelmintic); not relevant here.

Dimetapp — a common antihistamine (anti-allergic), not a CNS/BP drug.

Equanil — a tranquilizer (meprobamate); NCERT explicitly lists it as controlling depression and hypertension. …
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AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQ
$\mathrm{\text{-}(CF_2\text{-}CF_2)_n\text{-}}$
›Reveal solutionSolution
Each repeat unit must be identified as a named commercial polymer first, and then matched to its standard industrial use: Teflon-gaskets, PAN-fibres, Dacron/Terylene-safety helmets, urea-formaldehyde-laminated sheets.

Concept and Intuition

Commercial polymer names are tied tightly to their monomer/repeat-unit structure, and each polymer's bulk properties (chemical inertness, tensile strength as a fibre, rigidity as a composite, or thermosetting hardness) dictate its practical application. Recognising the repeat unit is the key step; the application follows from the polymer's known identity.

Step-by-Step Solution

A) $\mathrm{-(CF_2-CF_2)_n-}$ is polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), made by free-radical polymerisation of tetrafluoroethylene. Its chemical inertness and low friction make it ideal for gaskets and seals (II).

B) $\mathrm{-(CH_2-CH(CN))_n-}$ is polyacrylonitrile (PAN), sold as Orlon/Acrilan. It is spun into commercial fibres (IV) for fabrics and blankets.

C) The polyester of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol is poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET — commercially Terylene/Dacron. In its glass-fibre-reinforced composite form it is strong and rigid, and is used to make safety helmets (I). …
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AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQ
$Q. Match the following. List-I (Drugs) A) Equanil B) Furacine C) Tegamet D) Veronal List-II (effect) I) Hypnotic II) Antacid III) Antiseptic IV) To control hypertension Correct answer is (A) A-III, B-I, C-II, D-IV (B) A-II, B-IV, C-III, D-I (C) A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II (D) A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I$
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a straight drug-name-to-therapeutic-class recall question: Equanil (hypertension control), Furacine (antiseptic), Tegamet (antacid), Veronal (hypnotic).

Concept and Intuition

Each of these is a well-known trade-name drug studied under the 'Chemistry in Everyday Life' topic. Recognising the drug class from its name — rather than deriving anything — is the whole task; the classes come from memorised pharmacology facts taught alongside the chemistry of drugs (antacids, antihistamines, tranquilizers, antimicrobials, analgesics/antipyretics/hypnotics).

Step-by-Step Solution

Equanil — trade name for meprobamate, a tranquilizer used to relieve anxiety/tension and to help control blood pressure/hypertension $\Rightarrow$ IV (control hypertension).

Furacine — trade name for nitrofurazone, a topical antibacterial/antiseptic used on wounds and burns $\Rightarrow$ III (antiseptic).

Tegamet — trade name for cimetidine, an $H_2$ -receptor antagonist that reduces gastric acid secretion, i.e. an antacid $\Rightarrow$ II (antacid). …
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AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQ
$\mathrm{CHCl_3}$
›Reveal solutionSolution
This checks facts about common chlorinated organic compounds; only the $CH_2Cl_2$ /aerosol-propellant statement is correct, while the freon precursors and the DDT classification given in the other options are swapped or wrong.

Concept and Intuition

These are standard 'Chemistry in Everyday Life'/haloalkane facts that must each be checked individually against the true precursor-product/use relationships, since the distractors are built by swapping correct facts between similar-sounding compounds.

Step-by-Step Solution

(A) $CHCl_3$ (chloroform) is actually used to manufacture Freon-22 ( $CHClF_2$ ), by reaction with HF — not Freon-12. So (A) is wrong.

(B) $CCl_4$ (carbon tetrachloride) is actually used to manufacture Freon-12 ( $CCl_2F_2$ ), by reaction with HF — not Freon-22. So (B) is wrong.

(C) $CH_2Cl_2$ (dichloromethane) is genuinely used as a solvent, paint remover, and — correctly stated here — as a propellant in aerosols as well as a refrigerant. This statement is correct. …
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AP EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-05-19-FN1 markMCQ
$Q. Identify the herbicides from the following$
a) DDT b) Aldrin c) Sodium chlorate
d) Nicotine e) Sodium arsenite (A) c, e (B) a, d (C) b, c (D) d, e
›Reveal solutionSolution
Sodium chlorate and sodium arsenite are herbicides; DDT, Aldrin and nicotine are insecticides, not herbicides.

Concept and Intuition

Pesticides are classified by the pest they target: insecticides kill insects, herbicides kill unwanted plants (weeds), fungicides target fungi, and so on. Recognising each named chemical's traditional agricultural use is the key here.

Step-by-Step Solution

DDT — a chlorinated organic compound, classic broad-spectrum insecticide.

Aldrin — an organochlorine insecticide.

Sodium chlorate ( $\mathrm{NaClO_3}$ ) — used as a non-selective herbicide (weed killer), also an oxidiser.

Nicotine — a naturally-occurring alkaloid used as an insecticide (nicotine sulphate).

Sodium arsenite ( $\mathrm{NaAsO_2}$ ) — used historically as a herbicide/weed killer (and wood preservative). …
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AP EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-17-FN1 markMCQ
$Q. Match the following List-I (Chemical): A. Morphine, B. Pencillin, C. Iodoform, D. Sodium Benzoate List-II (Use): I. Antiseptic, II. Antibiotic, III. Pain killer, IV. Food preservatives (A) A - I, B - II, C - III, D - IV (B) A - III, B - II, C - I, D - IV (C) A - III, B - II, C - IV, D - I (D) A - II, B - III, C - I, D - IV$
›Reveal solutionSolution
Morphine=painkiller, Penicillin=antibiotic, Iodoform=antiseptic, Sodium

benzoate=preservative — this maps to option (B).

Concept and Intuition

This is a straight recall question on the everyday uses of common chemicals covered in

the NCERT "Chemistry in Everyday Life" chapter:

Morphine is a narcotic analgesic (pain killer), derived from opium.

Penicillin is the classic antibiotic, discovered from the mould Penicillium.

Iodoform ( $\mathrm{CHI_3}$ ) was historically used as an antiseptic for wound dressing (though its use has declined due to its smell).

Sodium benzoate is a common food preservative, used e.g. in soft drinks and pickles.

Step-by-Step Solution

A. Morphine → III (Pain killer).

B. Penicillin → II (Antibiotic).

C. Iodoform → I (Antiseptic).

D. Sodium Benzoate → IV (Food preservative). …
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AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-18-FN1 markMCQ
$Q. Arrange the following pesticides in the chronological order of their release into the market Organophosphates (A), organochlorides (B), sodium chlorate (C) (A) B, A, C (B) B, C, A (C) C, B, A (D) A, B, C$
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the historical timeline of pesticide classes: simple inorganic chemicals came first, then organochlorines, then organophosphates. The correct chronological order is sodium chlorate → organochlorides → organophosphates, i.e. C, B, A.

Concept and Intuition

Pesticide chemistry evolved in distinct generations. The earliest widely-used synthetic pesticides were simple inorganic compounds (arsenicals, sodium chlorate, etc.), used from the early 1900s as herbicides/desiccants. The next generation was organochlorine insecticides (DDT, BHC, aldrin, etc.), which became commercially dominant after DDT's insecticidal properties were discovered (1939) and mass-produced through the 1940s. The final generation to emerge was organophosphate insecticides, which grew out of nerve-agent research during and after World War II and were commercialised from the 1950s onward as organochlorines began facing resistance and environmental-persistence concerns.

Step-by-Step Solution

Sodium chlorate (C) — an inorganic chemical pesticide/herbicide, part of the earliest generation of chemical pest/weed control, used well before organic pesticide chemistry existed.

Organochlorides (B) — e.g. DDT, commercialised in the 1940s; this is the second generation, chronologically after simple inorganic agents but before organophosphates. …
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AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-19-AN1 markMCQ
$\mathrm{Cl_2C=CCl_2}$
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests two green-chemistry facts from the NCERT environmental chemistry chapter about replacing harmful solvents/bleaching agents. The answer is (C).

Concept and Intuition

Green chemistry principles favour replacing hazardous or environmentally damaging chemicals with safer alternatives. Two classic textbook examples are: (1) dry cleaning, where the carcinogen-suspect solvent tetrachloroethene ( $Cl_2C=CCl_2$ ) is being phased out in favour of liquefied $CO_2$ with a suitable detergent, and (2) paper bleaching, where chlorine gas (historically used, but which produces toxic chlorinated organic byproducts like dioxins) is being replaced by hydrogen peroxide with a suitable catalyst.

Step-by-Step Solution

Statement I: Correctly describes the trend of replacing $Cl_2C=CCl_2$ with liquefied $CO_2$ in dry cleaning. True. …
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AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-FN1 markMCQ
$Q. Which of the following pair is not correctly matched? (A) Salvarsan - to treat syphilis (B) Luminal - Antidepressant (C) Morphine - to treat cardiac pain (D) Acetylsalicylic acid - Antipyretic$
›Reveal solutionSolution
Three of the four drug–use pairs are textbook-correct; Luminal (phenobarbital) is a sedative-hypnotic, not an antidepressant, making pair (B) the mismatch.

Concept and Intuition

This is a drug-classification recall question from "Chemistry in Everyday Life." Each option pairs a named drug with a therapeutic use, and only one pairing is actually wrong.

Step-by-Step Solution

Salvarsan: an organoarsenic compound historically used to treat syphilis — correctly matched.

Luminal: the trade name for phenobarbital, a barbiturate. Barbiturates are classified as sedative-hypnotics/anticonvulsants (mild ones act as tranquilizers), not as antidepressants. Calling it an "antidepressant" is a factual mismatch.

Morphine: a strong narcotic analgesic; besides post-surgical and cancer pain, it is specifically used to relieve severe pain of cardiac origin (e.g. during a heart attack) — correctly matched. …
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AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-FN1 markMCQ
$Q. Match the following List-I (Drug) List-II (Use) A. Veronal I. Antihistamine B. Morphine II. Hypnotic C. Seldane III. Analgesic IV. Antidepressant Correct answer is (A) A-IV, B-III, C-I (B) A-IV, B-I, C-II (C) A-II, B-III, C-I (D) A-II, B-IV, C-III$
›Reveal solutionSolution
Veronal (hypnotic), Morphine (analgesic), and Seldane (antihistamine) map to II, III, I respectively.

Concept and Intuition

Each named drug belongs to a well-defined pharmacological class taught in chemistry-in-everyday-life topics: barbiturates like Veronal induce sleep (hypnotics/sedatives); opioids like morphine relieve pain (analgesics); antihistamines like Seldane (terfenadine) block histamine receptors to relieve allergy symptoms.

Step-by-Step Solution

Veronal = barbital, a barbiturate — classic hypnotic → matches II.

Morphine = opium-derived opioid, the prototype analgesic (pain reliever) → matches III.

Seldane = terfenadine, a well-known antihistamine (used for allergies) → matches I. …
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List-I (Drug)		List-II (Use)
A.	Veronal	I.	Antihistamine
B.	Morphine	II.	Hypnotic
C.	Seldane	III.	Analgesic
		IV.	Antidepressant

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Q.Why iodoform has appreciable antiseptic property?

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