Edexcel A Level Chemistry Topic 6A/6B banner showing Organic Chemistry and Alkanes with skeletal structure of a branched alkane molecule

Organic Chemistry and Alkanes – Topic 6A/6B

£16.20

Associated Courses

Taught in full. 432 minutes of video.

  1. A carbon chain with its OH functional group circled
    Formulae, Functional Groups & Naming111 min
  2. The skeletal formula of 2-methylpentane with its carbons numbered
    Naming Practice106 min
  3. A fractionating column with a flame under it
    Alkanes from Crude Oil45 min
  4. A flame giving off carbon dioxide and water
    Alkanes as Fuels39 min
  5. A leaf and a drop of fuel
    Alternative Fuels51 min
  6. A chlorine radical, its single electron shown by a fish-hook arrow towards a hydrogen atom of methane
    Free-Radical Substitution80 min
A laptop playing a lesson
  1. Watch
  2. Pause and try the exam question
  3. Check the worked answer

Watch a minute of the lessons.

Short clips cut from the course itself.

  1. Finding the longest chain

  2. An exam question on cracking

  3. What changes when oxygen runs short

  4. Making halogenoalkanes from alkanes

  • 24hoursguided learning
  • 432minof video lessons
  • 198MCQ marks
  • 295SAQ marks
Full details of the lessons and hours

Organic Chemistry and Alkanes Topic 6A/6B

The Topic 6A/6B course on Edexcel A Level Chemistry provides approximately 24 hours of guided learning. Students work through six recorded video lessons, 198 marks of auto-marked MCQ practice, 295 marks of teacher-marked written questions, and a personalised spec-point progress report.

Guided Learning
24 Hours
total study time
Video Lessons
432 mins
6 recorded lessons
MCQ Assessments
198 Marks
9 quizzes
SAQ Assessments
295 Marks
13 quizzes

How the 24 guided learning hours are worked out

Guided learning hours are calculated from the actual contents of the course, not estimated.

Video time is counted at its true running length, MCQs at 1.5 minutes per question, written answers at 1.5 minutes per mark, and time is allowed for reading the feedback returned on every quiz.

ComponentTime
Virtual lesson video432 min
MCQ practice (198 questions × 1.5 min)297 min
MCQ feedback review (9 quizzes × 10 min)90 min
SAQ practice (295 marks × 1.5 min)442 min
SAQ feedback review (13 quizzes × 15 min)195 min
Total1456 min ≈ 24 hours

The six recorded lessons

The virtual lesson is delivered as six recorded lessons totalling 432 minutes. Students pause during exam-practice sections, attempt questions independently, then review the worked explanations and the mark-scheme approach.

LessonRunning time
1. Organic Chemistry and Alkanes – Part 1111 min
2. Organic Chemistry and Alkanes – Part 2106 min
3. Alkanes from Crude Oil45 min
4. Alkanes as Fuels39 min
5. Alternative Fuels51 min
6. Substitution Reactions of Alkanes80 min
Total video432 min
At a glance

What you get in this course

432 minutes of guided video

Six recorded lessons covering Topic 6A and Topic 6B in full, with worked exam questions and mark-scheme strategy built into the teaching.

198 marks of MCQ practice

9 auto-marked quizzes of 22 questions each, with diagnostic feedback on every option. One attempt per quiz, so your scores track real progress.

295 marks of written practice

13 written-answer quizzes (152 questions) marked by a specialist chemistry teacher, assisted by KASP, with per-mark feedback returned the following Monday.

Complete spec-point coverage

All 55 assessable Edexcel A level spec points across Topic 6A and Topic 6B carry questions in the bank – 24 in 6A, 31 in 6B.

Exam-technique baked in

The lessons teach the chemistry and the exam wording. You learn what Edexcel actually rewards, not just the content.

Personalised progress report

A one-click PDF report shows your level on every spec point in colour-coded form.

See exactly where your marks are lost.

An example KASP report: each Topic 6A/6B spec point with a coloured score bar
One-click progress report
  • Secure 70%+
  • Developing 40–69%
  • Weak below 40%
  • Not yet assessed
  • Every question tagged to a spec point
  • Updates after every quiz
  • 55 of 55 spec points covered

Your report, spec point by spec point.

An example of the colour-coded report for this topic.

A Level Chemistry progress report for Organic Chemistry and Alkanes Topic 6A and 6B showing student performance across specification points with colour coded levels for understanding
Full details of KASP Analytics

What is KASP Analytics?

KASP (Knowledge Analytics & Spec-point Platform) tracks your progress at the level of individual specification points, not just whole quizzes.

Every question on this course is mapped to the Edexcel A level spec point it assesses, so you always know exactly which parts of the specification you have mastered and which need another look.

Spec points tracked
55
Topic 6A
24 spec points
Topic 6B
31 spec points
Questions tagged
350
Every assessable spec point is covered

All 55 assessable Edexcel A level spec points in Topic 6A and Topic 6B carry at least one question in this course – there are no untested spec points.

Across the 198 MCQ and 152 SAQ questions, most spec points are assessed several times over, in both question styles.

Your topic dashboard

Every topic you have worked through is summarised here. At a glance you see how many questions you have attempted, what is still waiting to be marked, your total marks scored, and an overall score percentage.

The dashboard below is an example, filled with the real topic structure of this course.

Hello, Sara – here is how you are doing

Edexcel A level Chemistry
TopicQuestions attemptedPendingMarks (scored / available)Score
Topic 6A: Introduction to Organic Chemistry24 / 28438.00 / 52.0073%
Topic 6B: Alkanes31 / 40644.50 / 74.0060%

Spec-point breakdown for a topic

Click into any topic and you see the full spec-point breakdown. Each row is a single Edexcel A level spec point with its official wording, how many questions the bank holds against it, your score, and a colour that tells you immediately where to focus.

The spec points and question counts below are the real ones from this course; the scores are an example.

Spec tagDescriptionAttemptedIn bankMarksScore
6A.4-abe able to name compounds relevant to this specification using the rules of IUPAC nomenclature2 / 2374.00 / 4.00100.0%
6A.6-aunderstand structural isomerism4 / 4167.00 / 9.0077.8%
6A.6-bdetermine possible structural formulae of an organic molecule from its molecular formula6 / 6138.00 / 13.0061.5%
6B.10-bunderstand that alkane fuels are obtained from cracking crude oil fractions4 / 4156.00 / 8.0075.0%
6B.16iunderstand the reactions of alkanes with: oxygen in air (combustion)4 / 4165.00 / 9.0055.6%
6B.16ii-aunderstand the reactions of alkanes with halogens3 / 3143.00 / 7.0042.9%
6B.16ii-cunderstand the propagation steps of the radical substitution mechanism2 / 3172.00 / 7.0028.6%
6B.16ii-dunderstand the termination steps of the radical substitution mechanism0 / 320–Not yet attempted
■ Green 70–100%: secure mastery■ Orange 40–69%: some gaps■ Red 0–39%: needs attention■ Grey: not yet assessed

Printable progress report

One click and you can download a clean, branded Progress Report PDF for the topic. Useful for your own revision folder, for parents to see at a glance, or for tutors to plan focused sessions.

Every spec point in the topic appears with its code and full requirement text, and the level column is colour-coded green through red.

A Level Chemistry progress report for Organic Chemistry and Alkanes Topic 6A and 6B showing student performance across specification points with colour coded levels for understanding
At a glance

What you get with KASP Analytics

Spec-point level tracking

Every question is tagged to the exact Edexcel A level spec point it assesses, so your scores roll up cleanly to the specification.

Updates automatically

Submit a quiz and your dashboard updates right away. Short-answer questions appear as pending until they have been marked.

Built for Edexcel A level

Wording, codes and topic structure follow the Edexcel A Level Chemistry specification exactly, so your scores line up with the document you will be examined on.

Printable report

One-click PDF Progress Report per topic, in the same colour system, ready for your folder or for a tutor session.

Both question styles counted

MCQ and written answers feed the same spec point. With 198 MCQ and 152 SAQ questions tagged, a weak area shows up whether you miss it under multiple choice or in writing.

Progress over time

A simple line chart shows how your overall score has trended across the days you have been studying.

198 exam questions. Feedback on every option.

A multiple-choice question asking for the name of a branched alkane, with the wrong option B showing why it is wrong and the right option D ticked
Feeds your KASP report
  • 9quizzes
  • 22questions each
  • 1attempt per quiz

A real question. Marked, as you see it.

Question 10 of MCQ (A), answered: why the wrong answer is wrong, and the right one ticked.

Question 10Wrong · 0/1

Which of the following mixtures could not form when nonane, C₉H₂₀, is cracked?

  • A

    propane + hexene

  • B

    butane + pentene

    Your answer
  • C

    hexane + propene

  • D

    octane + ethene

    Correct answer

About your answer

Incorrect. C₄H₁₀ + C₅H₁₀ = C₉H₂₀, which matches nonane exactly. This mixture can form from cracking nonane.

The correct answer is: octane + ethene

Explanation

Cracking breaks a long-chain alkane into smaller fragments. The total number of carbon and hydrogen atoms in the products must equal the number in the starting alkane.

  • Atom balance: nonane is C₉H₂₀. The products must sum to C₉H₂₀.

  • propane + hexene: C₃H₈ + C₆H₁₂ = C₉H₂₀. Valid.

  • butane + pentene: C₄H₁₀ + C₅H₁₀ = C₉H₂₀. Valid.

  • hexane + propene: C₆H₁₄ + C₃H₆ = C₉H₂₀. Valid.

  • octane + ethene: C₈H₁₈ + C₂H₄ = C₁₀H₂₂. Does not match.

The correct answer is octane + ethene.

MCQ (A) is free: take it on the website, marked straight away.

Full details of the MCQ Bank

What is the MCQ Bank?

The MCQ Bank for Topic 6A/6B is an auto-marked, instant-feedback practice engine of original questions written at real Edexcel A level exam difficulty. It runs to 9 quizzes, 198 questions and 198 marks.

Every question is tagged to a specific Edexcel A level spec point, every option carries diagnostic feedback explaining the chemistry, and every quiz attempt feeds directly into your KASP Analytics dashboard.

Quizzes
9
Questions
198
Marks
198
Attempts
1 per quiz

Try a Topic 6A/6B MCQ from the bank

This is an original question from the bank, shown exactly as it appears in the course. Click any option to reveal the diagnostic feedback for that choice, then expand the panel at the bottom for the full walkthrough.

Free radical substitution: limited industrial use

6B.17-a (Edexcel A level)1 mark

Free radical substitution of alkanes has limited industrial use for producing a specific halogenoalkane.

What is the main reason for this?

Click an option to see feedback

Athe reactions can only be carried out at very high temperatures
Incorrect

This is incorrect. Free radical reactions are not restricted to very high temperatures. They can also be initiated by UV light at moderate temperatures. This statement is not the main reason for limited industrial use.

Binitiation requires ultraviolet radiation
Incorrect

This is incorrect. While UV radiation is needed for initiation, it is not the main reason for limited industrial use. UV light can be used industrially, and high temperatures can also initiate the reaction.

The real problem is the formation of a mixture of substitution products.

Cfurther substitution products are formed
Correct

Correct. Once one hydrogen is replaced, the product can react again to give further substituted products (e.g. C₂H₅Br → C₂H₄Br₂→ further bromination).

This produces a mixture of products that is difficult to separate, making the process impractical for industrial synthesis of a specific compound.

Dtermination reactions produce unwanted products
Incorrect

This is incorrect. Termination products such as butane (from coupling of two ethyl radicals) form only in very low concentrations and are not the main reason for limited industrial use.

The primary problem is that multiple degrees of substitution occur, giving a mixture of mono-, di-, tri-, and fully substituted products.

Show correct answer & full explanation →
General feedback

Free radical substitution of an alkane with a halogen does not stop after a single hydrogen has been replaced:

  • Further substitution products are formed: once a hydrogen atom has been replaced, the product can undergo further substitution. For example, bromoethane (C₂H₅Br) can be further brominated to give dibromoethane, tribromoethane, and so on. This gives a complex mixture rather than a pure product, making it commercially impractical for synthesising a single, specific compound.
  • Option A is incorrect: free radical reactions are not restricted to a single environment. They can be initiated in the laboratory or industrially using UV light or heat.
  • Option B is incorrect: ultraviolet radiation is used in some industrial processes, so this alone is not the limiting factor.
  • Option D is incorrect: termination products form in only low concentrations and are not the primary reason for limited industrial use.

The correct answer is further substitution products are formed.

9 quizzes, 198 marks of MCQ practice

The MCQ Bank is split across the two halves of the topic. Quizzes hold 22 questions worth one mark each, and each quiz is a single auto-marked attempt.

Because every spec point is tested across several quizzes, your KASP scores reveal real improvement as you work through them.

Topic 6A: Introduction to Organic Chemistry

4 quizzes · 88 marks
MCQ A
22
questions & marks
MCQ B
22
questions & marks
MCQ C
22
questions & marks
MCQ D
22
questions & marks

Topic 6B: Alkanes

5 quizzes · 110 marks
MCQ A
22
questions & marks
MCQ B
22
questions & marks
MCQ C
22
questions & marks
MCQ D
22
questions & marks
MCQ E
22
questions & marks
198 total marks198 questions in totalOne attempt per quizAuto-marked on submit
At a glance

What you get with the MCQ Bank

198 marks across 9 quizzes

4 quizzes on Topic 6A and 5 on Topic 6B, 22 questions each, giving balanced coverage of every spec point in the topic pair.

Instant auto-marking

Submit and the result is back in your hands inside a second. No waiting, no manual checking.

Diagnostic feedback per option

Every wrong option carries a tailored explanation of the misconception, not just a generic ‘incorrect’, plus a full walkthrough on every question.

Spec-point tagged

Each question is mapped to the Edexcel A level spec point it assesses, so your score flows straight into KASP Analytics.

Track improvement across quizzes

One attempt per quiz, but the same spec points appear across the set. Your scores from quiz to quiz show real progress, not repeat-attempt inflation.

Original questions

Every MCQ is an original question written at real exam difficulty, with the chemistry checked.

Marked by a teacher. Assisted by KASP.

KASP drafts the marks
A student's handwritten propagation steps on a tablet: CH₄ + Cl• → CH₃• + HCl and CH₃• + Cl₂ → CH₃Cl + Cl•, each boxed in green as a marking point, with the radical dot on CH₃ boxed in orange
Teacher decides every mark
  1. MonSubmit
  2. TueSubmit
  3. WedSubmit
  4. ThuSubmit
  5. FriSubmit
  6. Sat–SunTeacher + KASP mark
  7. MonFeedback back

Every SAQ is marked by a specialist chemistry teacher, assisted by KASP. One SAQ quiz is marked each week.

What you get back. Every mark explained.

A marked answer from this course, exactly as a student sees it.

  1. Drawn structural formulaeEach formula and name boxed and marked on the student's own answer, with the worked answer and the teacher's comment.
    A marked drawing question: the student's structural formulae and names of butane and 2-methylpropane, each boxed green, and the mark scheme
    The worked answer shown after markingThe teacher's comment to the student
  • 13quizzes
  • 152questions
  • 295marks
  • 1quiz marked each week

Not all writing. You draw and calculate too.

How the 152 questions split.

Written
117
Drawing
23
Calculation
12
Full details of the SAQ Bank

What is the SAQ Bank?

The SAQ Bank for Topic 6A/6B is a written-answer practice engine marked by a specialist chemistry teacher, assisted by KASP. It runs to 13 quizzes, 152 questions and 295 marks.

You attempt one quiz per week, submit your full written response, and your teacher returns mark-by-mark feedback the following Monday. Every comment is targeted at the exam wording you need to use.

Quizzes
13
Questions
152
Marks
295
Marks per quiz
17–26

A submitted SAQ and the feedback it gets

This is an original question from the bank with its full mark scheme. The submitted answer below is an example of a typical response at this standard. Expand the panel to see how it was marked.

Homolytic fission of the Br–Br bond

6B.15ii (Edexcel A level)4 marks

When a mixture of an alkane and bromine is exposed to ultraviolet light, the Br–Br bond breaks homolytically.

Explain why the Br–Br bond breaks homolytically rather than heterolytically, write an equation for this bond breaking, and state what the species produced are called.

Submitted answer

Both atoms in the Br–Br bond are bromine atoms, so they have exactly the same electronegativity and the bond is non-polar.

Because neither atom pulls the bonding pair towards itself more strongly than the other, the pair splits evenly when the bond breaks, with one electron going to each atom. The two particles formed are called free radicals because each one has an unpaired electron.

View returned feedback →
Returned by your chemistry specialist3 / 4 · 75%
Mark scheme
Criterion
✓States the Br-Br bond is non-polar because the atoms are identical / equal electronegativity.
Awarded – you identified both that the atoms are identical and that the bond is therefore non-polar.
✓Explains that neither atom attracts the pair more, so the electrons split evenly.
Awarded – the ‘one electron each’ wording is exactly what the mark scheme wants.
✗Gives the equation Br2 -> 2Br. with the dots shown.
Not awarded. You described the bond breaking in words but never wrote the equation. Write Br₂ → 2Br•, and make sure the dot is visible on the product – the dot is what earns the mark.
✓Names the products as free radicals, each with an unpaired electron.
Awarded – correctly named, and you justified it with the unpaired electron.
Teacher comment

Strong explanation, Sara. The bonding reasoning is secure: you have the non-polar bond, the equal electronegativity, and the even split, and you named the products correctly with a justification.

The mark you have left on the table is the simplest one in the question – the equation.

When a question says ‘write an equation’, write it out even if you have already explained the same thing in words, and always show the dot on a radical. Bank Br₂ → 2Br• for next time.

A predictable weekly rhythm over 13 weeks

One quiz per week across the 13 quizzes, so the SAQ Bank runs as a 13-week programme. Submit anywhere from Monday to Friday, marking happens over the weekend, and you receive your feedback by the following Monday.

The rhythm is the same every week so you always know when to expect a return.

Mon
Submit
Tue
Submit
Wed
Submit
Thu
Submit
Fri
Submit
Sat
Marking
Sun
Marking
Mon
Returned

One attempt per quiz, one quiz submitted per week. Because the same spec points reappear across the 13 quizzes, your scores over the programme show real improvement – not repeat-attempt inflation.

The weekly cap also keeps the marking load manageable so your feedback stays thorough and detailed.

13 quizzes, 295 marks of written practice

The SAQ Bank holds 152 questions and 295 marks between its 13 quizzes. Quizzes run to 17–26 marks and between 9 and 15 questions depending on how the marks fall, with the parts of each multi-part question kept together in the same quiz.

Every question is original, written at real Edexcel A level exam difficulty, across the whole topic pair.

Topic 6A: Introduction to Organic Chemistry

3 quizzes · 63 marks
SAQ A
20
marks · 10 questions
SAQ B
21
marks · 11 questions
SAQ C
22
marks · 9 questions

Topic 6B: Alkanes

10 quizzes · 232 marks
SAQ A
23
marks · 10 questions
SAQ B
26
marks · 10 questions
SAQ C
23
marks · 15 questions
SAQ D
22
marks · 13 questions
SAQ E
24
marks · 10 questions
SAQ F
24
marks · 15 questions
SAQ G
26
marks · 13 questions
SAQ H
26
marks · 14 questions
SAQ I
21
marks · 11 questions
SAQ J
17
marks · 11 questions
295 total marks152 questions1 quiz per week, over 13 weeksReturned the following Monday

What the written questions ask you to do

The bank is not all prose. Alongside written explanations you are asked to draw structures and mechanisms and to work through calculations, all marked by a specialist chemistry teacher, assisted by KASP, against the same mark scheme.

Question styleQuestionsWhat it asks for
Written answer117Explanations, descriptions, equations and definitions, marked against the exam mark scheme point by point.
Drawing23Structural and displayed formulae, skeletal structures and mechanism steps, drawn on screen and marked by your teacher, assisted by KASP.
Calculation12Quantitative work shown in full, so method marks can be awarded even when the final answer is wrong.
Total152
At a glance

What you get with the SAQ Bank

295 marks across 13 quizzes

3 quizzes on Topic 6A and 10 on Topic 6B, holding 152 questions between them at 17–26 marks per quiz.

Marked by a teacher, assisted by KASP

KASP drafts the marking; your teacher reads your answer end to end, decides every mark and writes the comments.

Per-mark feedback

Every mark in the scheme is checked off explicitly. You see exactly which marks you earned and what wording the missed ones needed.

Predictable weekly turnaround

Submit by Friday, marked over the weekend, feedback returned by Monday. One quiz per week; one attempt per quiz; 13 weeks end to end.

Exam-board wording focus

Feedback teaches the precise language the Edexcel mark scheme rewards, so the next time the topic appears you write to score.

Feeds your KASP dashboard

Every SAQ is spec-point tagged. Once marked, your scores flow into KASP Analytics alongside your MCQ results.

All 55 spec points. Assessed.

Edexcel A Level Chemistry, Topic 6: Organic Chemistry I (6A Introduction, 6B Alkanes).

6A Introduction to Organic Chemistry

  • 6A.1Hydrocarbons
  • 6A.2Types of formula
  • 6A.3Homologous series
  • 6A.4IUPAC naming
  • 6A.5Types of reaction
  • 6A.6Structural isomerism
  • 6A.7E/Z isomerism

6B Alkanes

  • 6B.8General formula of alkanes
  • 6B.9Saturated hydrocarbons
  • 6B.10Fuels from crude oil
  • 6B.11Pollutants from combustion
  • 6B.12Toxic and acidic pollutants
  • 6B.13Catalytic converters
  • 6B.14Alternative fuels
  • 6B.15Radicals
  • 6B.16Reactions of alkanes
  • 6B.17Limits of radical substitution

The whole of Topic 6A and 6B, for £16.20.

432 minutes of video, 198 MCQs, 295 SAQ marks marked by a teacher, assisted by KASP.

Add to basket
Every spec point, in full
Exam Board Alignment

Organic Chemistry and Alkanes Topic 6A/B Edexcel A Level Chemistry

This course covers the following Edexcel A Level Chemistry specification points:

6.1
know that a hydrocarbon is a compound of hydrogen and carbon only
6.2
be able to represent organic molecules using empirical formulae, molecular formulae, general formulae, structural formulae, displayed formulae and skeletal formulae
6.3
know what is meant by the terms 'homologous series' and 'functional group'
6.4
be able to name compounds relevant to this specification using the rules of International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) nomenclature. Students will be expected to know prefixes for compounds up to C10
6.5
be able to classify reactions as addition, elimination, substitution, oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis or polymerisation
6.6
understand the term 'structural isomerism' and be able to determine the possible structural, displayed and skeletal formulae of an organic molecule, given its molecular formula
6.7
understand the term 'stereoisomerism', as illustrated by E/Z isomerism, including cis-trans isomerism where two of the substituent groups are the same
6.8
know the general formula for alkanes
6.9
know that alkanes and cycloalkanes are saturated hydrocarbons
6.10
understand that alkane fuels are obtained from the fractional distillation, cracking and reforming of crude oil
6.11
know that pollutants, including carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulfur, carbon particulates and unburned hydrocarbons, are formed during the combustion of alkane fuels
6.12
understand the problems arising from pollutants from the combustion of fuels, limited to the toxicity of carbon monoxide and the acidity of oxides of nitrogen and sulfur
6.13
understand how the use of a catalytic converter solves some problems caused by pollutants
6.14
understand the use of alternative fuels, including biodiesel and alcohols derived from renewable sources such as plants, in terms of a comparison with non-renewable fossil fuels
6.15
know that a radical:
i
is a species with an unpaired electron and is represented in mechanisms by a single dot
ii
is formed by homolytic fission of a covalent bond and results in the formation of radicals
6.16
understand the reactions of alkanes with:
i
oxygen in the air (combustion)
ii
halogens, in terms of the mechanism of radical substitution through initiation, propagation and termination steps
iii
The use of curly half-arrows is not expected in this mechanism
6.17
understand the limitations of the use of radical substitution reactions in the synthesis of organic molecules, in terms of further substitution reactions and the formation of a mixture of products
Specification Coverage

Students will be assessed on their ability to:

The following specification points outline the knowledge and skills students are expected to demonstrate.

6.1
know that a hydrocarbon is a compound of hydrogen and carbon only
6.2
be able to represent organic molecules using empirical formulae, molecular formulae, general formulae, structural formulae, displayed formulae and skeletal formulae
6.3
know what is meant by the terms ‘homologous series’ and ‘functional group’
6.4
be able to name compounds relevant to this specification using the rules of International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) nomenclature Students will be expected to know prefixes for compounds up to C10
6.5
be able to classify reactions as addition, elimination, substitution, oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis or polymerisation
6.6
understand the term ‘structural isomerism’ and determine the possible structural, displayed and skeletal formulae of an organic molecule, given its molecular formula
6.7
understand the term ‘stereoisomerism’, as illustrated by E/Z isomerism, including cis-trans isomerism where two of the substituent groups are the same
6.8
know the general formula for alkanes
6.9
know that alkanes and cycloalkanes are saturated hydrocarbons
6.10
understand that alkane fuels are obtained from the fractional distillation, cracking and reforming of crude oil. Reforming is described as the processing of straight-chain hydrocarbons into branched-chain alkanes and cyclic hydrocarbons for efficient combustion.
6.11
know that pollutants, including carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulfur, carbon particulates and unburned hydrocarbons, are formed during the combustion of alkane fuels
6.12
understand the problems arising from pollutants from the combustion of fuels, limited to the toxicity of carbon monoxide and the acidity of oxides of nitrogen and sulfur
6.13
understand how the use of a catalytic converter solves some problems caused by pollutants
6.14
understand the use of alternative fuels, including biodiesel and alcohols derived from renewable sources such as plants, in terms of a comparison with non-renewable fossil fuels
6.15
know that a radical:
i
is a species with an unpaired electron and is represented in mechanisms by a single dot
ii
is formed by homolytic fission of a covalent bond and results in the formation of radicals
6.16
understand the reactions of alkanes with:
i
oxygen in air (combustion)
ii
halogens, in terms of the mechanism of radical substitution through initiation, propagation and termination steps. The use of curly half-arrows is not expected in this mechanism.
6.17
understand the limitations of the use of radical substitution reactions in the synthesis of organic molecules, in terms of further substitution reactions and the formation of a mixture of products
Complete Topic Package

Learn the content, practise exam questions, and identify exactly where marks are being lost.

This course combines guided video teaching, diagnostic MCQs, teacher-marked written assessment, and detailed specification reporting for Edexcel A Level Chemistry.

Exam-focused learning with clear performance feedback

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