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11. Organic chemistry

Syllabus
0620–2026–2027
Section
11
Level

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Topic 11.1

11.1 Formulae, functional groups and terminology

Objectives in this topic

11.1.1—And interpret the displayed formula of

  • Draw and interpret the displayed formula of a molecule to show all the atoms and all the bonds

11.1.2—Write and interpret general formulae

  • Write and interpret general formulae of compounds in the same homologous series, (a) alkanes, C nH2n+2 (b) alkenes, CnH2n (c) alcohols, C nH2n+1OH (d) carboxylic acids, CnH2n+1COOH

11.1.3—Functional group as an atom or group

  • Identify a functional group as an atom or group of atoms that determine the chemical properties of a homologous series

11.1.7—Structural formula is an unambiguous

  • State: a structural formula is an unambiguous description of the way the atoms in a molecule are arranged, including CH 2=CH2, CH3CH2OH, CH3COOCH3

11.1.8—Structural isomers as compounds with

  • Define structural isomers as compounds with the same molecular formula, but different structural formulae, including C4H10 as CH3CH2CH2CH3 and CH3CH(CH3)CH3 and C4H8 as CH3CH2CH=CH2 and CH3CH=CHCH3

11.1.4—Homologous series is a family of

  • State: a homologous series is a family of similar compounds with similar chemical properties due to the presence of the same functional group

11.1.5—Saturated compound has molecules in

  • State: a saturated compound has molecules in which all carbon–carbon bonds are single bonds

11.1.6—An unsaturated compound has molecules

  • State: an unsaturated compound has molecules in which one or more carbon– carbon bonds are not single bonds

11.1.9—Homologous series features: same

  • Describe homologous series features: same functional group and general formula, adjacent members differ by -CH2-, physical properties show trends, chemical properties are similar

Topic 11.2

11.2 Naming organic compounds

Objectives in this topic

11.2.1—Displayed formulae of: (a) methane and

  • Name and draw the displayed formulae of: (a) methane and ethane (b) ethene (c) ethanol (d) ethanoic acid (e) the products of the reactions stated in sections 11.4–11.7

11.2.2—Type of compound present, given a

  • State the type of compound present, given a chemical name ending in -ane, -ene, -ol, or -oic acid or from a molecular formula or displayed formula

11.2.3—Structural and displayed formulae of

  • Name/draw structural and displayed formulae of unbranched alkanes, alkenes (including but-1-ene/but-2-ene), alcohols (propan-1-ol/propan-2-ol/butan-1-ol/butan-2-ol) and carboxylic acids up to four carbons

11.2.4—Displayed formulae of the unbranched

  • Name and draw the displayed formulae of the unbranched esters which can be made from unbranched alcohols and carboxylic acids, each containing up to four carbon atoms

Topic 11.3

11.3 Fuels

Objectives in this topic

11.3.1—Fossil fuels: coal, natural gas and

  • Name the fossil fuels: coal, natural gas and petroleum

11.3.2—Methane as the main constituent of

  • Name methane as the main constituent of natural gas

11.3.3—Hydrocarbons are compounds that

  • State: hydrocarbons are compounds that contain hydrogen and carbon only

11.3.4—Petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbons

  • State: petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbons

11.3.5—Separation of petroleum into useful

  • Describe separation of petroleum into useful fractions by fractional distillation

11.3.6—Petroleum fraction trends up the

  • Describe petroleum fraction trends up the column: shorter chains, higher volatility, lower boiling points and lower viscosity

11.3.7—Fraction uses: refinery gas for

  • Name fraction uses: refinery gas for heating/cooking; gasoline/petrol for cars; naphtha feedstock; kerosene/paraffin jet fuel; diesel oil/gas oil for diesel engines; fuel oil for ships/home heating; lubricating oil for lubricants/waxes/polishes; bitumen for roads

Topic 11.4

11.4 Alkanes

Objectives in this topic

11.4.1—Bonding in alkanes is single covalent

  • State: the bonding in alkanes is single covalent and that alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons

11.4.2—Properties of alkanes as being

  • Describe properties of alkanes as being generally unreactive, except in terms of combustion and substitution by chlorine

11.4.3—In a substitution reaction one atom or

  • State: in a substitution reaction one atom or group of atoms is replaced by another atom or group of atoms

11.4.4—Substitution reaction of alkanes with

  • Describe substitution reaction of alkanes with chlorine as a photochemical reaction, with ultraviolet light providing the activation energy, Ea, and draw the structural or displayed formulae of the products, limited to monosubstitution

Topic 11.5

11.5 Alkenes

Objectives in this topic

11.5.1—Bonding in alkenes includes a double

  • State: the bonding in alkenes includes a double carbon–carbon covalent bond and that alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons

11.5.2—Manufacture of alkenes and hydrogen by

  • Describe manufacture of alkenes and hydrogen by the cracking of larger alkane molecules using a high temperature and a catalyst

11.5.3—Reasons for the cracking of larger

  • Describe reasons for the cracking of larger alkane molecules

11.5.4—Test to distinguish between saturated

  • Describe test to distinguish between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons by their reaction with aqueous bromine

11.5.5—In an addition reaction only one

  • State: in an addition reaction only one product is formed

11.5.6—Alkene addition reactions with

  • Describe alkene addition reactions with bromine/aqueous bromine, hydrogen with nickel catalyst, and steam with acid catalyst; draw structural/displayed formulae of products

Topic 11.6

11.6 Alcohols

Objectives in this topic

11.6.1—Ethanol manufacture

  • Describe ethanol manufacture by: (a) fermentation of aqueous glucose at 25-35 °C with yeast and no oxygen (b) catalytic steam addition to ethene at 300 °C and 6000 kPa/60 atm with acid catalyst

11.6.2—Combustion of ethanol

  • Describe combustion of ethanol

11.6.3—Uses of ethanol as: (a) a solvent (b)

  • State the uses of ethanol as: (a) a solvent (b) a fuel

11.6.4—Advantages and disadvantages of the

  • Describe advantages and disadvantages of the manufacture of ethanol by: (a) fermentation (b) catalytic addition of steam to ethene

Topic 11.7

11.7 Carboxylic acids

Objectives in this topic

11.7.1—Reaction of ethanoic acid

  • Describe reaction of ethanoic acid with: (a) metals (b) bases (c) carbonates including names and formulae of the salts produced

11.7.2—Formation of ethanoic acid by the

  • Describe formation of ethanoic acid by the oxidation of ethanol: (a) with acidified aqueous potassium manganate(VII) (b) by bacterial oxidation during vinegar production

11.7.3—Reaction of a carboxylic acid with an

  • Describe reaction of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol using an acid catalyst to form an ester

Topic 11.8

11.8 Polymers

Objectives in this topic

11.8.1—Polymers as large molecules built up

  • Define polymers as large molecules built up from many smaller molecules called monomers

11.8.2—Formation of poly(ethene) as an

  • Describe formation of poly(ethene) as an example of addition polymerisation using ethene monomers

11.8.3—Plastics are made from polymers

  • State: plastics are made from polymers

11.8.4—Properties of plastics have

  • Describe how the properties of plastics have implications for their disposal

11.8.5—Environmental challenges caused by

  • Describe environmental challenges caused by plastics, (a) disposal in landfill sites (b) accumulation in oceans (c) formation of toxic gases from burning

11.8.6—Repeat units and/or linkages in

  • Identify the repeat units and/or linkages in addition polymers and in condensation polymers

11.8.7—Deduce the structure or repeat unit of

  • Deduce the structure or repeat unit of an addition polymer from a given alkene and vice versa

11.8.8—Deduce the structure or repeat unit of

  • Deduce the structure or repeat unit of a condensation polymer from given monomers and vice versa, (a) polyamides from a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine (b) polyesters from a dicarboxylic acid and a diol

11.8.9—Differences between addition and

  • Describe differences between addition and condensation polymerisation

11.8.10—And draw the structure of: (a) nylon

  • Describe and draw the structure of: (a) nylon, a polyamide C O C O C C OO N H N H N H N H (b) PET, a polyester C O C O C C OO O OO O The full name for PET, polyethylene terephthalate, is not required

11.8.11—PET can be converted back into

  • State: PET can be converted back into monomers and re-polymerised

11.8.12—Proteins as natural polyamides and

  • Describe proteins as natural polyamides and that they are formed from amino acid monomers with the general structure: H O H OH N H C C R where R represents different types of side- chain

11.8.13—And draw the structure of proteins as

  • Describe and draw the structure of proteins as: N H C O N H C O N H C O
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