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OCR A Level Chemistry A – Module 4 Core Organic Chemistry

4.2.1
Alcohols

Section 4.2.1 covers the polarity of alcohols and the hydrogen bonding that explains their solubility and low volatility, classification as primary, secondary and tertiary, combustion, oxidation with acidified dichromate(VI) to aldehydes, carboxylic acids and ketones under controlled conditions, elimination of water to form alkenes, and substitution with halide ions in acid to form haloalkanes. The techniques page supports PAG 5.

Exam Paper
Paper 2 & 3
H432/02 and H432/03
Specification Points
4.2.1 (a) – (e)
5 learning outcomes
Topic Parts
4 pages
Revision notes available
Exam Board
OCR A
H432 (2015 onwards)

Revision Notes

Work through 4.2.1 Alcohols in a structured sequence.

The –OH group
Naming and
Classifying
1
Available

Alcohols: Naming, Classification and Properties

Alcohols: nomenclature, structural, displayed and skeletal formulae, primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols, hydrogen bonding, boiling temperatures and solubility.

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Orange to green
Oxidation of
Alcohols
2
Available

Oxidation of Alcohols

The oxidation of alcohols: acidified dichromate(VI), aldehydes, carboxylic acids and ketones, distillation versus reflux, [O] equations and tests for aldehydes and acids.

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Reaction map
Reactions of
Alcohols
3
Available

Substitution and Elimination Reactions of Alcohols

Reactions of alcohols: combustion, halogenation with PCl₅, KBr and sulfuric acid, and red phosphorus and iodine, and dehydration to alkenes.

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Practical skills
Preparing and
Purifying
4
Available

Preparing and Purifying Organic Liquids

Preparing and purifying organic liquids: reflux, distillation, separating funnel, drying agents, boiling temperature and percentage yield.

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Specification Coverage

4.2.1 Alcohols – OCR A Level Chemistry A

The following OCR A learning outcomes state what candidates should be able to do. Wording is taken from the OCR A Level Chemistry A (H432) specification.

4.2.1 Alcohols

4.2.1(a)(i)-a
the polarity of alcohols
4.2.1(a)(i)-b
an explanation, in terms of hydrogen bonding, of the water solubility of alcohols compared with alkanes (see also 2.2.2 l and 4.1.2 c)
4.2.1(a)(i)-c
an explanation, in terms of hydrogen bonding, of the relatively low volatility of alcohols compared with alkanes (see also 2.2.2 l and 4.1.2 c)
4.2.1(a)(ii)
classification of alcohols into primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols
4.2.1(b)
combustion of alcohols
4.2.1(c)(i)-a
the oxidation of primary alcohols by an oxidising agent, e.g. Cr₂O₇²⁻/H+ (i.e. K₂Cr₂O7/H₂SO₄), to form aldehydes
4.2.1(c)(i)-b
the oxidation of primary alcohols by an oxidising agent, e.g. Cr₂O₇²⁻/H+ (i.e. K₂Cr₂O7/H₂SO₄), to form carboxylic acids
4.2.1(c)(i)-c
the control of the oxidation product of primary alcohols using different reaction conditions
4.2.1(c)(ii)
the oxidation of secondary alcohols by an oxidising agent, e.g. Cr₂O₇²⁻/H+ (i.e. K₂Cr₂O7/H₂SO₄), to form ketones
4.2.1(c)(iii)
the resistance to oxidation of tertiary alcohols
4.2.1(d)
elimination of H₂O from alcohols in the presence of an acid catalyst (e.g. H₃PO₄ or H₂SO₄) and heat to form alkenes
4.2.1(e)
substitution with halide ions in the presence of acid (e.g. NaBr/H₂SO₄) to form haloalkanes