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OCR A Level Chemistry A – Module 4 Core Organic Chemistry

4.2.2
Haloalkanes

Section 4.2.2 covers hydrolysis of haloalkanes by aqueous alkali and by water with silver nitrate in ethanol, the definition of a nucleophile, the mechanism of nucleophilic substitution for primary haloalkanes, the trend in rates of hydrolysis explained by carbon–halogen bond enthalpies, and the production of halogen radicals from CFCs and the catalysed breakdown of ozone by Cl• and •NO.

Exam Paper
Paper 2 & 3
H432/02 and H432/03
Specification Points
4.2.2 (a) – (e)
5 learning outcomes
Sub-topics
5 lessons
Revision notes available
Exam Board
OCR
H432 (2015 onwards)

Revision Notes

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Summary Map

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Summary maps

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

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Haloalkanes Map

OCR A Level Chemistry A · 4.2.2 Haloalkanes

Every reaction on one A4 page: reagents, conditions and reaction type for each arrow, colour coded, with the key tests.

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

Haloalkanes Summary Map

OCR A Level Chemistry A · 4.2.2 Haloalkanes

The whole section on one A4 page: reaction types and nucleophiles, names and classes, hydrolysis by hydroxide and water, rates of hydrolysis, CFCs and UV, and ozone breakdown.

Download the map6 key ideas + a data table · A4 portrait · print ready

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4.2.2

  1. a (i)

    hydrolysis of haloalkanes in a substitution reaction by aqueous alkali

    Revise
  2. a (ii) a

    hydrolysis of haloalkanes in a substitution reaction by water in the presence of AgNO3 and ethanol

    Revise
  3. a (ii) b

    use of hydrolysis by water in the presence of AgNO3 and ethanol to compare experimentally the rates of hydrolysis of different carbon–halogen bonds

    Revise
  4. b

    definition and use of the term nucleophile (an electron pair donor)

    Revise
  5. c

    the mechanism of nucleophilic substitution in the hydrolysis of primary haloalkanes with aqueous alkali (see also 4.1.1 h–i)

    Revise
  6. d

    explanation of the trend in the rates of hydrolysis of primary haloalkanes in terms of the bond enthalpies of carbon–halogen bonds (C–F, C–Cl, C–Br and C–I)

    Revise
  7. e i

    production of halogen radicals by the action of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on CFCs in the upper atmosphere

    Revise
  8. e ii

    the catalysed breakdown of the Earth's protective ozone layer resulting from halogen radicals

    Revise
  9. e (i)

    equations to represent the production of halogen radicals

    Revise
  10. e (ii)

    equations to represent the catalysed breakdown of ozone by Cl· and other radicals e.g. ·NO

    Revise