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Edexcel International A Level Chemistry

Introduction To Organic Chemistry

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

Exam Unit
Unit 1
WCH11/01 – IAS
Specification Points
4.4 – 4.5
2 points covered
Sub-topics
8 lessons
Revision notes available
Exam Board
Edexcel IAL
Pearson International

Revision Notes

8 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

Halogenoalkane

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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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 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

© 2026 Online Learning System. For personal study: printing is allowed; editing, copying and redistribution are not.

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 4A 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 4A 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): 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.
  • 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

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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.

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

    Revise
  4. ii c

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

    Revise
  5. ii d

    know prefixes for compounds up to C10

    Revise

4.6

  1. a

    be able to classify reactions as addition

    Revise
  2. b

    be able to classify reactions as substitution

    Revise
  3. c

    be able to classify reactions as oxidation

    Revise
  4. d

    be able to classify reactions as reduction

    Revise
  5. e

    be able to classify reactions as polymerisation

    Revise

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'

    Revise
  3. b

    know the definition of the term 'electrophile'

    Revise