Edexcel A Level Chemistry
Topic 6
Organic
Chemistry I
Topic 6 introduces organic chemistry, including formulae, nomenclature, isomerism, alkanes, alkenes, halogenoalkanes and alcohols. Students learn mechanisms, functional group reactions, polymerisation and key practical techniques used in organic synthesis.
Exam Papers
Paper 2
9CH0/02
Specification Points
6.1 – 6.39
39 points covered
Topic Parts
5 parts
Revision notes available
Exam Board
Edexcel
Pearson 9CH0
Revision Notes
Work through each part of Edexcel Topic 6 in a structured sequence.
Organic basics
Introductory
Organic
Organic
names, formulae and isomers
1
Available
Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Hydrocarbons, formulae, homologous series, functional groups, IUPAC names, reaction types and isomerism.
Start revisingSaturated
Alkanes
fuels and free radicals
2
Available
Alkanes
Saturated hydrocarbons, crude oil, combustion, pollutants, alternative fuels and radical substitution.
Start revisingUnsaturated
Alkenes
addition and polymers
3
Available
Alkenes
Unsaturated hydrocarbons, π bonds, electrophilic addition, bromine water, polymers and sustainability.
Start revisingSubstitution
Halogeno
alkanes
alkanes
nucleophiles and leaving groups
4
Coming soon
Halogenoalkanes
Nucleophilic substitution, elimination, hydrolysis rates and reactivity trends in halogenoalkanes.
Coming soonFunctional groups
Alcohols
oxidation and synthesis
5
Coming soon
Alcohols
Primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols, combustion, halogenation, oxidation, elimination and purification techniques.
Coming soonSpecification Coverage
Topic 6 Organic Chemistry I – Edexcel A Level Chemistry
The following specification points outline the knowledge and skills students are expected to demonstrate for Topic 6.
6A: Introduction to organic chemistry
6.1
know that a hydrocarbon is a compound of hydrogen and carbon only
6.2
be able to represent organic molecules using empirical formulae, molecular formulae, general formulae, structural formulae, displayed formulae and skeletal formulae
6.3
know what is meant by the terms homologous series and functional group
6.4
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.
6.5
be able to classify reactions as addition, elimination, substitution, oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis or polymerisation
6.6
understand the term structural isomerism and determine the possible structural, displayed and skeletal formulae of an organic molecule, given its molecular formula
6.7
understand the term stereoisomerism, as illustrated by E/Z isomerism, including cis-trans isomerism where two of the substituent groups are the same
6B: Alkanes
6.8
know the general formula for alkanes
6.9
know that alkanes and cycloalkanes are saturated hydrocarbons
6.10
understand that alkane fuels are obtained from the fractional distillation, cracking and reforming of crude oil
6.11
know that pollutants, including carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulfur, carbon particulates and unburned hydrocarbons, are formed during the combustion of alkane fuels
6.12
understand the problems arising from pollutants from the combustion of fuels, limited to the toxicity of carbon monoxide and the acidity of oxides of nitrogen and sulfur
6.13
understand how the use of a catalytic converter solves some problems caused by pollutants
6.14
understand the use of alternative fuels, including biodiesel and alcohols derived from renewable sources such as plants, in terms of a comparison with non-renewable fossil fuels
6.15
know that a radical:
i
is a species with an unpaired electron and is represented in mechanisms by a single dot
ii
is formed by homolytic fission of a covalent bond and results in the formation of radicals
6.16
understand the reactions of alkanes with:
i
oxygen in air, combustion
ii
halogens, in terms of the mechanism of radical substitution through initiation, propagation and termination steps
6.17
understand the limitations of the use of radical substitution reactions in the synthesis of organic molecules, in terms of further substitution reactions and the formation of a mixture of products
6C: Alkenes
6.18
know the general formula for alkenes
6.19
know that alkenes and cycloalkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons
6.20
understand the bonding in alkenes in terms of σ- and π-bonds
6.21
know what is meant by the term electrophile
6.22
understand the addition reactions of alkenes with:
i
hydrogen, in the presence of a nickel catalyst, to form an alkane
ii
halogens to produce dihalogenoalkanes
iii
hydrogen halides to produce halogenoalkanes
iv
steam, in the presence of an acid catalyst, to produce alcohols
v
potassium manganate(VII), in acid conditions, to oxidise the double bond and produce a diol
6.23
understand that heterolytic bond fission of a covalent bond results in the formation of ions
6.24
understand the mechanism of the electrophilic addition reactions between alkenes and:
i
halogens
ii
hydrogen halides, including addition to unsymmetrical alkenes
iii
other given binary compounds
6.25
know the qualitative test for a C=C double bond using bromine or bromine water
6.26
know that alkenes form polymers through addition polymerisation. Be able to identify the repeat unit of an addition polymer given the monomer, and vice versa.
6.27
know that waste polymers can be separated into specific types of polymer for:
i
recycling
ii
incineration to release energy
iii
use as a feedstock for cracking
6.28
understand, in terms of the use of energy and resources over the life cycle of polymer products, that chemists can contribute to the more sustainable use of materials
6.29
understand how chemists limit the problems caused by polymer disposal by:
i
developing biodegradable polymers
ii
removing toxic waste gases caused by incineration of plastics
6D: Halogenoalkanes
6.30
know that halogenoalkanes can be classified as primary, secondary or tertiary
6.31
understand what is meant by the term nucleophile
6.32
understand the reactions of halogenoalkanes with:
i
aqueous potassium hydroxide to produce alcohols, where the hydroxide ion acts as a nucleophile
ii
aqueous silver nitrate in ethanol, where water acts as a nucleophile
iii
potassium cyanide to produce nitriles, where the cyanide ion acts as a nucleophile
iv
ammonia to produce primary amines, where the ammonia molecule acts as a nucleophile
v
ethanolic potassium hydroxide to produce alkenes, where the hydroxide ion acts as a base
6.33
understand that experimental observations and data can be used to compare the relative rates of hydrolysis of primary, secondary and tertiary halogenoalkanes, and chloro-, bromo-, and iodoalkanes, using aqueous silver nitrate in ethanol. Core Practical 4: Investigation of the rates of hydrolysis of some halogenoalkanes.
6.34
know the trend in reactivity of primary, secondary and tertiary halogenoalkanes
6.35
understand, in terms of bond enthalpy, the trend in reactivity of chloro-, bromo-, and iodoalkanes
6.36
understand the mechanisms of the nucleophilic substitution reactions between primary halogenoalkanes and aqueous potassium hydroxide, and ammonia
6E: Alcohols
6.37
know that alcohols can be classified as primary, secondary or tertiary
6.38
understand the reactions of alcohols with:
i
oxygen in air, combustion
ii
halogenating agents, including PCl5, 50% concentrated sulfuric acid and potassium bromide, and red phosphorus and iodine
iii
potassium dichromate(VI) in dilute sulfuric acid to oxidise primary alcohols to aldehydes and carboxylic acids, and secondary alcohols to ketones
iv
concentrated phosphoric acid to form alkenes by elimination
6.39
understand the following techniques used in the preparation and purification of a liquid organic compound:
i
heating under reflux
ii
extraction with a solvent in a separating funnel
iii
distillation
iv
drying with an anhydrous salt
v
boiling temperature determination
Specification Coverage
Topic 6 Organic Chemistry I – Edexcel A Level Chemistry
The following specification points outline the knowledge and skills students are expected to demonstrate for Topic 6.
6A: Introduction to organic chemistry
6.1
know that a hydrocarbon is a compound of hydrogen and carbon only
6.2
be able to represent organic molecules using empirical formulae, molecular formulae, general formulae, structural formulae, displayed formulae and skeletal formulae
6.3
know what is meant by the terms homologous series and functional group
6.4
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.
6.5
be able to classify reactions as addition, elimination, substitution, oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis or polymerisation
6.6
understand the term structural isomerism and determine the possible structural, displayed and skeletal formulae of an organic molecule, given its molecular formula
6.7
understand the term stereoisomerism, as illustrated by E/Z isomerism, including cis-trans isomerism where two of the substituent groups are the same
6B: Alkanes
6.8
know the general formula for alkanes
6.9
know that alkanes and cycloalkanes are saturated hydrocarbons
6.10
understand that alkane fuels are obtained from the fractional distillation, cracking and reforming of crude oil
6.11
know that pollutants, including carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulfur, carbon particulates and unburned hydrocarbons, are formed during the combustion of alkane fuels
6.12
understand the problems arising from pollutants from the combustion of fuels, limited to the toxicity of carbon monoxide and the acidity of oxides of nitrogen and sulfur
6.13
understand how the use of a catalytic converter solves some problems caused by pollutants
6.14
understand the use of alternative fuels, including biodiesel and alcohols derived from renewable sources such as plants, in terms of a comparison with non-renewable fossil fuels
6.15
know that a radical:
i
is a species with an unpaired electron and is represented in mechanisms by a single dot
ii
is formed by homolytic fission of a covalent bond and results in the formation of radicals
6.16
understand the reactions of alkanes with:
i
oxygen in air, combustion
ii
halogens, in terms of the mechanism of radical substitution through initiation, propagation and termination steps
6.17
understand the limitations of the use of radical substitution reactions in the synthesis of organic molecules, in terms of further substitution reactions and the formation of a mixture of products
6C: Alkenes
6.18
know the general formula for alkenes
6.19
know that alkenes and cycloalkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons
6.20
understand the bonding in alkenes in terms of σ- and π-bonds
6.21
know what is meant by the term electrophile
6.22
understand the addition reactions of alkenes with:
i
hydrogen, in the presence of a nickel catalyst, to form an alkane
ii
halogens to produce dihalogenoalkanes
iii
hydrogen halides to produce halogenoalkanes
iv
steam, in the presence of an acid catalyst, to produce alcohols
v
potassium manganate(VII), in acid conditions, to oxidise the double bond and produce a diol
6.23
understand that heterolytic bond fission of a covalent bond results in the formation of ions
6.24
understand the mechanism of the electrophilic addition reactions between alkenes and:
i
halogens
ii
hydrogen halides, including addition to unsymmetrical alkenes
iii
other given binary compounds
6.25
know the qualitative test for a C=C double bond using bromine or bromine water
6.26
know that alkenes form polymers through addition polymerisation. Be able to identify the repeat unit of an addition polymer given the monomer, and vice versa.
6.27
know that waste polymers can be separated into specific types of polymer for:
i
recycling
ii
incineration to release energy
iii
use as a feedstock for cracking
6.28
understand, in terms of the use of energy and resources over the life cycle of polymer products, that chemists can contribute to the more sustainable use of materials
6.29
understand how chemists limit the problems caused by polymer disposal by:
i
developing biodegradable polymers
ii
removing toxic waste gases caused by incineration of plastics
6D: Halogenoalkanes
6.30
know that halogenoalkanes can be classified as primary, secondary or tertiary
6.31
understand what is meant by the term nucleophile
6.32
understand the reactions of halogenoalkanes with:
i
aqueous potassium hydroxide to produce alcohols, where the hydroxide ion acts as a nucleophile
ii
aqueous silver nitrate in ethanol, where water acts as a nucleophile
iii
potassium cyanide to produce nitriles, where the cyanide ion acts as a nucleophile
iv
ammonia to produce primary amines, where the ammonia molecule acts as a nucleophile
v
ethanolic potassium hydroxide to produce alkenes, where the hydroxide ion acts as a base
6.33
understand that experimental observations and data can be used to compare the relative rates of hydrolysis of primary, secondary and tertiary halogenoalkanes, and chloro-, bromo-, and iodoalkanes, using aqueous silver nitrate in ethanol. Core Practical 4: Investigation of the rates of hydrolysis of some halogenoalkanes.
6.34
know the trend in reactivity of primary, secondary and tertiary halogenoalkanes
6.35
understand, in terms of bond enthalpy, the trend in reactivity of chloro-, bromo-, and iodoalkanes
6.36
understand the mechanisms of the nucleophilic substitution reactions between primary halogenoalkanes and aqueous potassium hydroxide, and ammonia
6E: Alcohols
6.37
know that alcohols can be classified as primary, secondary or tertiary
6.38
understand the reactions of alcohols with:
i
oxygen in air, combustion
ii
halogenating agents, including PCl5, 50% concentrated sulfuric acid and potassium bromide, and red phosphorus and iodine
iii
potassium dichromate(VI) in dilute sulfuric acid to oxidise primary alcohols to aldehydes and carboxylic acids, and secondary alcohols to ketones
iv
concentrated phosphoric acid to form alkenes by elimination
6.39
understand the following techniques used in the preparation and purification of a liquid organic compound:
i
heating under reflux
ii
extraction with a solvent in a separating funnel
iii
distillation
iv
drying with an anhydrous salt
v
boiling temperature determination