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Edexcel A Level Chemistry

Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry begins with recognising carbon-based molecules, naming structures accurately, identifying isomerism and recognising functional groups. These pages separate the core naming rules, isomerism and common functional groups so that students can revise each area clearly before applying them to reactions, mechanisms and synthesis.

Exam Papers
Paper 2
9CH0/02
Specification Points
6.1 – 6.6
5 points covered
Sub-topics
9 lessons
Revision notes available
Exam Board
Edexcel
Pearson 9CH0

Revision Notes

9 revision notes, in the order the specification teaches them.

A carbon chain with its longest run highlighted
1

IUPAC Rules

Revise how to name organic compounds by identifying the longest carbon chain, functional group, substituents and position numbers.

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The carbon-carbon double bond functional group
2

Alkene

Learn how alkenes are identified by the carbon-carbon double bond and why this functional group leads to addition reactions.

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The hydroxyl functional group on a carbon chain
3

Alcohol

Revise alcohols as organic compounds containing the hydroxyl group and connect their structure to naming and classification.

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A halogen on a carbon chain
4

Halogenoalkanes

Review halogenoalkanes as compounds containing a carbon-halogen bond, including how halogen substituents appear in names.

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The aldehyde group at the end of a chain
5

Aldehyde

Learn how aldehydes contain a terminal carbonyl group and how this affects naming and structural formulae.

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The carbonyl in the middle of a chain
6

Ketone

Revise ketones as carbonyl compounds where the C=O group is within the carbon chain rather than at the end.

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The carboxyl group at the end of a chain
7

Carboxylic Acid

Review carboxylic acids as compounds containing the carboxyl group, including the COOH structure and acid naming pattern.

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The ester link joining two carbon chains
8

Ester

Learn how esters are recognised from the COO linkage and how their names are built from the alcohol and carboxylic acid parts.

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The same atoms joined in two different ways
9

Isomerism

Revise how compounds can have the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms, including structural and stereoisomerism.

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Summary Map

Download, print and revise the key facts of this topic at a glance.

Summary map

Download, print and revise the key facts of this topic at a glance.

Illustration of a summary map: compounds joined by reaction arrows
Summary map · PDF

Introduction to Organic Chemistry Map

Edexcel A Level Chemistry · Topic 6A Introduction to Organic Chemistry

The whole section on one A4 page: types of formula, homologous series, naming, isomers, bond breaking, the seven reaction types and a table of the functional groups.

Download the map6 key ideas + 8 functional groups · A4 portrait · print ready

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Virtual Lessons

Recorded video lessons that teach the topic step by step.

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Virtual Lessons

Taught step by step in 2 recorded video lessons, to watch at your own pace.

Topic 6A Introduction to Organic Chemistry taught by a specialist chemistry teacher, in 2 recorded video lessons that follow the specification.

  • Learn it before you revise itEach lesson explains the chemistry step by step, with the diagrams, mechanisms and worked examples the exam expects.
  • At your own pacePause, rewind and rewatch any part. Each lesson opens where you stopped.
  • Your progress is keptA lesson is ticked off once you have watched most of it, here and in your course on Moodle.

MCQ Bank

Multiple-choice papers on this topic, marked the moment you submit. MCQ (A) is free.

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Test yourself: 4 MCQ papers

Exam-style multiple-choice papers, marked the moment you submit with every answer explained. MCQ (A) is free.

4 exam-style multiple-choice papers, MCQ (A) to (D): 88 questions on Topic 6A Introduction to Organic Chemistry, written the way the exam asks them.

  • Marked the moment you submitYour score straight away, with every answer explained, right or wrong.
  • Revise what you missedEach explanation links to the revision notes for that point.
  • MCQ (A) is freeTry the first paper now. MCQ (B) to (D) come with the course.
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SAQ Bank

Written, drawn and worked exam practice on this topic, marked by a specialist chemistry teacher.

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Written and drawn answers: 3 papers

Draw, write and calculate the way the exam asks, then a specialist chemistry teacher marks your work.

3 exam papers, (A) to (C): 30 questions on Topic 6A Introduction to Organic Chemistry with no multiple choice. You write explanations, work out calculations and draw answers: structures, mechanisms and diagrams.

  • Answer the way the exam asksThe real paper wants written, worked and drawn answers, so that is how you practise.
  • Marked by a teacher, assisted by KASPA specialist chemistry teacher marks every answer against the mark scheme, with feedback on what to fix.
  • One paper marked each weekYour marked paper comes back here with every marking point shown.
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Revision Game

Match reagents to products, with your board's reagents and conditions.

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Study Cards

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Specification

Every specification point in this topic, in the exam board's own words. Rate how confident you are with each one.

Official Pearson Edexcel documentsSpecification (opens the Pearson Edexcel website in a new tab)Data booklet (opens the Pearson Edexcel website in a new tab)

Self-assessment · 25 points

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6

  1. A.1

    know that a hydrocarbon is a compound of hydrogen and carbon only

    Revise
  2. A.2 a

    be able to represent organic molecules using empirical formulae

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  3. A.2 b

    be able to represent organic molecules using molecular formulae

    Revise
  4. A.2 c

    be able to represent organic molecules using general formulae

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  5. A.2 d

    be able to represent organic molecules using structural formulae

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  6. A.2 e

    be able to represent organic molecules using displayed formulae

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  7. A.2 f

    be able to represent organic molecules using skeletal formulae

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  8. A.3 a

    know what is meant by homologous series

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  9. A.3 b

    know what is meant by functional group

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  10. A.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

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  11. A.4 a

    be able to name compounds relevant to this specification using the rules of IUPAC nomenclature

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  12. A.4 b

    know prefixes for compounds up to C10

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  13. A.5 a

    be able to classify reactions as addition

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  14. A.5 b

    be able to classify reactions as elimination

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  15. A.5 c

    be able to classify reactions as substitution

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  16. A.5 d

    be able to classify reactions as oxidation

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  17. A.5 e

    be able to classify reactions as reduction

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  18. A.5 f

    be able to classify reactions as hydrolysis

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  19. A.5 g

    be able to classify reactions as polymerisation

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  20. A.6 a

    understand structural isomerism

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  21. A.6 b

    determine possible structural formulae of an organic molecule from its molecular formula

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  22. A.6 c

    determine possible displayed formulae of an organic molecule from its molecular formula

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  23. A.6 d

    determine possible skeletal formulae of an organic molecule from its molecular formula

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  24. A.7 a

    understand stereoisomerism as illustrated by E/Z isomerism

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  25. A.7 b

    understand stereoisomerism as illustrated by cis-trans isomerism where two substituent groups are the same

    Revise