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Cambridge International AS Level Chemistry

Topic 13
Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Topic 13 introduces the language of organic chemistry: formulas, functional groups and systematic naming, the terminology of reaction types and mechanisms, the shapes of organic molecules with sp, sp2 and sp3 hybridisation, and structural and stereoisomerism.

Exam Papers
Papers 1 & 2
9701/1 and 9701/2 (AS Level)
Learning Outcomes
13.1.1 – 13.4.6
18 outcomes with sub-points
Topic Parts
4 parts
13.1 to 13.4
Exam Board
Cambridge
CIE 9701 (2025-2027)

Revision Notes

Work through each part of Cambridge Topic 13 in a structured sequence.

Nomenclature
Formulas and
Naming
1

Formulas, Functional Groups and Naming

Hydrocarbons, functional groups, general, structural, displayed and skeletal formulas and systematic nomenclature.

Start revising
Terminology
Characteristic
Reactions
2

Characteristic Organic Reactions

Homolytic and heterolytic fission, radicals, nucleophiles and electrophiles, and the names of reaction types and mechanisms.

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Hybridisation
Shapes of
Molecules
3

Shapes of Organic Molecules

Straight-chain, branched and cyclic molecules, sp, sp2 and sp3 hybridisation, σ and π bonds and planar alkenes.

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Stereochemistry
Isomerism
4

Isomerism

Structural isomerism, geometrical (cis/trans) isomerism, chiral centres and optical isomerism.

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Specification Coverage

Topic 13 An Introduction to AS Level Organic Chemistry – Cambridge International

The following Cambridge learning outcomes state what candidates should be able to do for Topic 13. Wording is taken from the Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry 9701 syllabus for 2025 to 2027.

13.1 Formulas, functional groups and the naming of organic compounds

13.1.1
define the term hydrocarbon as a compound made up of C and H atoms only
13.1.2
understand that alkanes are simple hydrocarbons with no functional group
13.1.3
understand that the compounds in the table on pages 29 and 30 contain a functional group which dictates their physical and chemical properties
13.1.4
interpret and use the general, structural, displayed and skeletal formulas of the classes of compound stated in the table on pages 29 and 30
13.1.5
understand and use systematic nomenclature of simple aliphatic organic molecules with functional groups detailed in the table on pages 29 and 30, up to six carbon atoms (six plus six for esters, straight chains only for esters and nitriles)
13.1.6
deduce the molecular and/or empirical formula of a compound, given its structural, displayed or skeletal formula

13.2 Characteristic organic reactions

13.2.1
interpret and use the following terminology associated with types of organic compounds and reactions:
(a)
homologous series
(b)
saturated and unsaturated
(c)
homolytic and heterolytic fission
(d)
free radical, initiation, propagation, termination
(e)
nucleophile, electrophile, nucleophilic, electrophilic
(f)
addition, substitution, elimination, hydrolysis, condensation
(g)
oxidation and reduction
13.2.2
understand and use the following terminology associated with types of organic mechanisms:
(a)
free-radical substitution
(b)
electrophilic addition
(c)
nucleophilic substitution
(d)
nucleophilic addition

13.3 Shapes of organic molecules; σ and π bonds

13.3.1
describe organic molecules as either straight-chained, branched or cyclic
13.3.2
describe and explain the shape of, and bond angles in, molecules containing sp, sp2 and sp3 hybridised atoms
13.3.3
describe the arrangement of σ and π bonds in molecules containing sp, sp2 and sp3 hybridised atoms
13.3.4
understand and use the term planar when describing the arrangement of atoms in organic molecules, for example ethene

13.4 Isomerism: structural isomerism and stereoisomerism

13.4.1
describe structural isomerism and its division into chain, positional and functional group isomerism
13.4.2
describe stereoisomerism and its division into geometrical (cis/trans) and optical isomerism (use of E/Z nomenclature is acceptable but is not required)
13.4.3
describe geometrical (cis/trans) isomerism in alkenes, and explain its origin in terms of restricted rotation due to the presence of π bonds
13.4.4
explain what is meant by a chiral centre and that such a centre gives rise to two optical isomers (enantiomers)
13.4.5
identify chiral centres and geometrical (cis/trans) isomerism in a molecule of given structural formula including cyclic compounds
13.4.6
deduce the possible isomers for an organic molecule of known molecular formula