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Edexcel International A Level Chemistry

Topic 4A
Introduction to
Organic Chemistry

Topic 4A lays the foundations of organic chemistry: hazard and risk in practical work, homologous series and functional groups, IUPAC naming, the types of organic reaction and bond fission, and structural isomerism.

Exam Unit
Unit 1
WCH11/01 – IAS
Specification Points
4.1 – 4.8
8 points covered
Sub-topics
3 lessons
Revision notes available
Exam Board
Edexcel IAL
Pearson International

Revision Notes

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

Safety goggles beside a plain hazard diamond
1

Hazard & Risk

The difference between hazard and risk, why risk assessment matters, and how to reduce risk in organic practical work.

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A carbon chain with a functional group
2

Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Homologous series, functional groups, organic reaction classes, bond fission, free radicals and electrophiles.

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The same atoms joined in two different ways
3

Isomerism

Structural isomerism, molecular formulae, displayed formulae and drawing different organic structures correctly.

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Summary Map

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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 International A Level Chemistry · Unit 1 · Topic 4A Introduction to Organic Chemistry

The whole section on one A4 page: types of formula, homologous series, naming, isomers, bond breaking, reaction types, hazard and risk, 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

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Virtual Lessons

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

Topic 4A Introduction to Organic Chemistry taught by a specialist chemistry teacher, in 2 recorded video lessons that follow the specification.

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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 4A Introduction to Organic Chemistry, written the way the exam asks them.

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  • Revise what you missedEach explanation links to the revision notes for that point.
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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

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3 exam papers, (A) to (C): 38 questions on Topic 4A 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.
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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.

Self-assessment · 24 points

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4.1

  1. 4.1

    understand the difference between hazard and risk

    Revise

4.2

  1. 4.2

    understand the hazards associated with organic compounds and why it is necessary to carry out risk assessments when dealing with potentially hazardous materials

    Revise
  2. a

    understand the hazards associated with organic compounds

    Revise
  3. b

    understand why it is necessary to carry out risk assessments when dealing with potentially hazardous materials

    Revise

4.3

  1. i

    be able to suggest reducing risk by working on a smaller scale

    Revise
  2. ii

    be able to suggest reducing risk by taking precautions specific to the hazard

    Revise
  3. iii

    be able to suggest reducing risk by using an alternative method that involves less hazardous substances

    Revise

4.4

  1. a

    understand the concept of homologous series

    Revise
  2. b

    understand the concept of functional group

    Revise

4.5

  1. i

    be able to apply IUPAC nomenclature rules to name compounds relevant to this specification

    Revise
  2. ii a

    be able to apply IUPAC nomenclature rules to draw structural formulae of compounds encountered in the specification

    Revise
  3. ii b

    be able to apply IUPAC nomenclature rules to draw displayed formulae of compounds encountered in the specification

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  4. ii c

    be able to apply IUPAC nomenclature rules to draw skeletal formulae of compounds encountered in the specification

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  5. ii d

    know prefixes for compounds up to C10

    Revise

4.6

  1. a

    be able to classify reactions as addition

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  2. b

    be able to classify reactions as substitution

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  3. c

    be able to classify reactions as oxidation

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  4. d

    be able to classify reactions as reduction

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  5. e

    be able to classify reactions as polymerisation

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4.7

  1. i

    understand that bond breaking can be: homolytic, to produce free radicals

    Revise
  2. ii

    understand that bond breaking can be: heterolytic, to produce ions

    Revise

4.8

  1. 4.8

    know definitions of the terms ‘free radical’ and ‘electrophile’

    Revise
  2. a

    know the definition of the term 'free radical'

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  3. b

    know the definition of the term 'electrophile'

    Revise