Reactions of Alkanes
Alkanes are relatively unreactive because C-C and C-H bonds are strong and essentially non-polar. Their key organic reaction in this section is free radical substitution with halogens, which occurs through a chain mechanism involving initiation, propagation and termination steps.
Revision Notes
Work through each part of Edexcel Topic 6 in a structured sequence.
Free Radical Substitution
Revise the overall reaction type, why radicals are formed and how halogenation replaces a hydrogen atom in an alkane.
Start revisingInitiation
Learn how ultraviolet light causes homolytic fission of a halogen molecule to form two reactive halogen radicals.
Start revisingPropagation
Review the two repeating steps that produce the organic product and regenerate a radical so the chain reaction continues.
Start revisingTermination
Revise how two radicals combine to form a stable molecule, removing radicals and stopping that part of the chain.
Start revisingFurther Substitution
Learn how substitution can continue to form mixtures of products when more hydrogen atoms are replaced by halogen atoms.
Start revisingReactions of Alkanes – Edexcel A Level Chemistry
The following specification points outline the knowledge and skills students are expected to demonstrate for Topic 6.
6B: Alkanes
6C: Alkenes
Reactions of Alkanes – Edexcel A Level Chemistry
The following specification points outline the knowledge and skills students are expected to demonstrate for Topic 6.
6B: Alkanes
6C: Alkenes
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