Skip to content
Dabour HubLEARN · PRACTICE · EXPLORESign inStudent

1.9Unit 1. Structure, Bonding and Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Introductory Organic Chemistry — IAL Edexcel Linear (Chemistry) Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 8 parts Lesson 11 of 36 1 quiz

📚 IAL Edexcel Linear (Chemistry) Hub / Topical Revision
🩺
100% Curriculum Specification Match Lesson Doctor Verified
The only platform with 100% curriculum specification match and verified interactive question banks.
Curriculum Equation Key معادلة تفاعل تكوين الإستر (الأسترة) - Esterification Reaction EquationFast Exam Solution
R-COOH + R2-OH ⇌ (conc. H₂SO₄) R-COO-R2 + H₂O
Word Equation & Conditions: حمض كربوكسيلي + كحول (في وجود حمض الكبريتيك المركز كعامل حفاز ونازع للماء) ⇌ إستر + ماء
Location & Specifications: الكيمياء العضوية للثانوية العامة والتحصيلي و Edexcel Chemistry.
0%read
Lesson summary

1.9 Introductory Organic Chemistry — hazards, nomenclature and isomers — IAL EDEXCEL LINEAR (CHEMISTRY) notes: Distinguish hazard and risk, recognise homologous series and functional groups, name organic compounds by IUPAC rules and identify structural isomers.Hazard — the inhere…

  • Alkyl group
  • Chain isomerism
  • Positional isomerism
  • Hazard — the inherent property of a substance that can cause harm
  • Risk — the chance of harm, which depends on how the substance is used
  • Water has no hazards, but boiling it on a tripod and gauze has risks from the steam and hot water

Part 1 of 6Hazards and risks

Hazard
  • Hazard the inherent property of a substance that can cause harm.
Risk
  • Risk the chance of harm, which depends on how the substance is used.
Hydrochloric acid is corrosive (the hazard).
  • Eye protection does not change the hazard, but it decreases the risk of the acid reaching the eyes.
Water has no hazards, but boiling it on a tripod and gauze has risks from the steam and hot water.
Hazard symbols
  • Corrosiveburns skin and damages eyes.
  • Flammablecatches fire near a flame.
  • Acute toxicitylife-threatening in small quantities.
  • Oxidisingsupplies oxygen to fuel fires.
  • Dangerous to the environmentharms aquatic life.
  • Health hazardcarcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive effects.
  • Explosive and gas under pressure.

Part 2 of 6Risk assessments and control measures

1
A risk assessment examines the hazards of the substances and how they will be used, then sets control measures.
2
Factors considered
  • The amount used.
  • The age and experience of the user.
  • Whether it will be heated.
  • Whether a fume cupboard or ventilation is needed.
3
Control measures
  • Suitable eye protection and gloves.
  • Keeping caps on bottles after use.
  • Keeping flammable substances away from heat.
  • Actions for spills on the floor or skin.
4
Precautions must be specific to the procedure, e.g. use a fume cupboard when HCl gas is produced.

Part 3 of 6Homologous series and functional groups

Homologous series and functional groups
Homologous series
  • Homologous series compounds with the same functional group and general formula, each member differing from the next by CH2.
Members of a series show:
  • The same functional group and general formula.
  • Similar chemical properties.
  • Gradually changing physical properties, e.g. boiling point, melting point and density, as molecular size increases.
Functional group
  • Functional group the atom or group of atoms that determines the characteristic reactions of a compound.
SeriesFunctional groupSuffix / prefixExample
AlkeneC=C-enepropene
Alcohol-OH-olethanol
Halogenoalkane-Xchloro-, bromo-2-bromobutane
Aldehyde-CHO-alpropanal
KetoneC=O within the chain-onepropanone
Carboxylic acid-COOH-oic acidethanoic acid

Part 4 of 6IUPAC naming rules

CarbonsStemCarbonsStem
1meth-6hex-
2eth-7hept-
3prop-8oct-
4but-9non-
5pent-10dec-
1
Find the longest carbon chain containing the principal functional group; its length gives the stem.
2
Add the suffix for the principal functional group.
3
Number the chain from the end that gives the lowest numbers.
4
Name side chains with -yl (alkyl groups), e.g. CH3CH(CH3)CH2CH3 is 2-methylbutane.
5
Use di-, tri- or tetra- for repeated groups; list different groups in alphabetical order.
6
Separate numbers with commas and numbers from words with hyphens.

Part 5 of 6Primary, secondary and tertiary

1
Alcohols and halogenoalkanes are classified by the number of carbon atoms attached to the carbon bearing the functional group.
2
Primary has 1, secondary has 2 and tertiary has 3 carbon atoms attached.
3
Butan-2-ol is secondary; 2-methylpropan-2-ol is tertiary.
4
Classification affects reactions, e.g. tertiary alcohols resist oxidation.

Part 6 of 6Structural isomers

Structural isomers
  • Structural isomers compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulae.
Chain isomers differ in the carbon skeleton because of branching.
  • Pentane and 2,2-dimethylpropane are chain isomers.
  • C4H10 has two structural isomers; C5H12 has three.
Positional isomers have the functional group on different carbons.
  • Butan-1-ol and butan-2-ol are positional isomers.
Functional group isomers have different functional groups.
  • Propene and cyclopropane (C3H6) differ in structure.
  • Butan-1-ol and ethoxyethane are functional group isomers.
Free rotation about C-C single bonds means the isomers of C4H10 are structural, not stereoisomers.

Key terms

TermMeaning
HazardSomething with the inherent potential to cause harm, e.g. a flammable or toxic substance.
RiskThe likelihood that a hazard will cause harm under the conditions of use.
Homologous seriesA family of compounds with the same functional group and general formula, differing by CH2.
Functional groupThe atom or group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a compound.
Alkyl groupA side chain named by adding -yl to the alkane stem.
Structural isomersCompounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulae.
Chain isomerismIsomerism caused by a different carbon skeleton through branching.
Positional isomerismIsomerism caused by the functional group being on different carbons.

Avoid these mistakes

1
Confusing hazard with risk — hazard is the harm a substance can cause; risk is the chance of that harm.
2
Writing "wear a lab coat and goggles" as a precaution — give a precaution specific to the procedure.
3
Numbering the chain from the wrong end — number so the functional group or substituents get the lowest numbers.
4
Listing substituents in numerical order — list them in alphabetical order.

Last updated:

\n