5.5Unit 5. Transition Metals and Organic Nitrogen Chemistry
Organic Chemistry – Arenes — IAL Edexcel Modular (Chemistry) Revision Notes & Topical Questions
5 min read 8 parts Lesson 6 of 8 1 quiz
Lesson summary
Unit 18 IAL Modular Chemistry revision notes.Benzene prefers substitution to keep delocalisation.Phenol reacts more readily than benzene.Generate electrophileAttacks π ringIntermediateLoss of H⁺Ring restoredEvidence against KekuléEqual bond lengths (0.139 nm)Less exothermic hydro…
- Unit 18 IAL Modular Chemistry: what to do next
- Kekulé model
- Delocalised model
- Electrophilic substitution
- Friedel–Crafts
- Give / State / Name
Section 1 of 8Process & sequence
- Generate electrophile
- Attacks π ring
- Intermediate
- Loss of H⁺
- Ring restored
Evidence against Kekulé
Equal bond lengths (0.139 nm)
Less exothermic hydrogenation than expected
Does not decolourise bromine water readily
Section 2 of 8Keep going
Unit 18 IAL Modular Chemistry: what to do next
These Unit 18 IAL Modular Chemistry notes covered the key ideas, worked examples and exam technique for this topic. Check your Unit 18 IAL Modular Chemistry understanding with the practice questions below, then reread any Unit 18 IAL Modular Chemistry point you were unsure about before moving on.
2
Previous lesson: 5.4 Organic Chemistry: Arenes — Notes — IAL Chemistry Notes
5
Official syllabus: Pearson Edexcel International A Levels
Section 3 of 8Process & sequence
- Generate electrophile
- Attacks π ring
- Intermediate
- Loss of H⁺
- Ring restored
Evidence against Kekulé
Equal bond lengths (0.139 nm)
Less exothermic hydrogenation than expected
Does not decolourise bromine water readily
Section 4 of 8Keep going
Unit 18 IAL Linear Chemistry: what to do next
These Unit 18 IAL Linear Chemistry notes covered the key ideas, worked examples and exam technique for this topic. Check your Unit 18 IAL Linear Chemistry understanding with the practice questions below, then reread any Unit 18 IAL Linear Chemistry point you were unsure about before moving on.
2
Previous lesson: 5.4 Organic Chemistry: Arenes — Notes — IAL Chemistry Notes
5
Official syllabus: Pearson Edexcel International A Levels
Section 5 of 8Compare
| Reaction | Reagents | Conditions | Electrophile | Product | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitration | Conc. HNO₃ + conc. H₂SO₄ | < 55 °C | NO₂⁺ | Nitrobenzene | — |
| Halogenation | Br₂ | FeBr₃ / AlCl₃ catalyst | Br⁺ | Bromobenzene | — |
| Friedel–Crafts alkylation | Haloalkane | AlCl₃ | R⁺ | Alkylbenzene | — |
| Friedel–Crafts acylation | Acyl chloride | AlCl₃, reflux | RCO⁺ | Phenyl ketone | — |
| Combustion | O₂ | — | — | CO₂ + H₂O | Smoky flame |
| Reaction | Reagents | Conditions | Electrophile | Product | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitration | Conc. HNO₃ + conc. H₂SO₄ | < 55 °C | NO₂⁺ | Nitrobenzene | — |
| Halogenation | Br₂ | FeBr₃ / AlCl₃ catalyst | Br⁺ | Bromobenzene | — |
| Friedel–Crafts alkylation | Haloalkane | AlCl₃ | R⁺ | Alkylbenzene | — |
| Friedel–Crafts acylation | Acyl chloride | AlCl₃, reflux | RCO⁺ | Phenyl ketone | — |
| Combustion | O₂ | — | — | CO₂ + H₂O | Smoky flame |
Section 6 of 8Key terms
Section 7 of 8Command terms
Command terms
Give / State / Name
Recall a fact; one idea per mark.
Define
Give the exact meaning using the specification keywords.
Describe
Give an account of what happens / the pattern in data, quoting values; no reasons needed.
Explain
Give reasons with linked statements (cause → effect). Each linked step is usually a separate marking point.
Suggest
Use knowledge in a new context; more than one answer may be accepted.
Compare
Similarities and differences; each point must refer to both items.
Calculate
Show working; include units; check significant figures. Method marks are given even if the final answer is wrong.
Discuss
Explore the issue from different angles and link the points.
Evaluate / Assess
Weigh strengths and weaknesses and reach a supported judgement.
Deduce
Draw a conclusion from the information given.
Justify
Support a statement/choice with evidence.
Command terms
Give / State / Name
Recall a fact; one idea per mark.
Define
Give the exact meaning using the specification keywords.
Describe
Give an account of what happens / the pattern in data, quoting values; no reasons needed.
Explain
Give reasons with linked statements (cause → effect). Each linked step is usually a separate marking point.
Suggest
Use knowledge in a new context; more than one answer may be accepted.
Compare
Similarities and differences; each point must refer to both items.
Calculate
Show working; include units; check significant figures. Method marks are given even if the final answer is wrong.
Discuss
Explore the issue from different angles and link the points.
Evaluate / Assess
Weigh strengths and weaknesses and reach a supported judgement.
Deduce
Draw a conclusion from the information given.
Justify
Support a statement/choice with evidence.
Section 8 of 8Exam technique
Keywords the mark scheme looks for in this lesson
Keywords the mark scheme looks for in this lesson
Arene · Benzene · Kekulé model · Delocalised model · Electrophilic substitution · Friedel–Crafts
Learn each definition in the Key words tab exactly; a missing keyword in a definition usually loses the mark.
How to get full marks (examiner guidance)
How to get full marks (examiner guidance)
Use specification keywords exactly (e.g. electronegativity, nucleophile, dynamic equilibrium, activation energy).
Link ideas
Link ideas for “explain” each marking point is usually a cause → consequence step; unlinked facts often score nothing.
Use the information in the question
“discuss/evaluate” answers must use the data provided and match the number of marks.
Convert units carefully (mg → g, cm³ → dm³) and show working for calculations.
Avoid vague words
“it”, “stuff”, “things”, “goes up”, “energy is made”. Name the substance and the process.
Do not extrapolate a graph line beyond the data or to zero unless asked.
Six-mark extended responses are marked on content AND a logical, linked line of reasoning.
Keywords the mark scheme looks for in this lesson
Keywords the mark scheme looks for in this lesson
Arene · Benzene · Kekulé model · Delocalised model · Electrophilic substitution · Friedel–Crafts
Learn each definition in the Key words tab exactly; a missing keyword in a definition usually loses the mark.
How to get full marks (examiner guidance)
How to get full marks (examiner guidance)
Use specification keywords exactly (e.g. electronegativity, nucleophile, dynamic equilibrium, activation energy).
Link ideas
Link ideas for “explain” each marking point is usually a cause → consequence step; unlinked facts often score nothing.
Use the information in the question
“discuss/evaluate” answers must use the data provided and match the number of marks.
Convert units carefully (mg → g, cm³ → dm³) and show working for calculations.
Avoid vague words
“it”, “stuff”, “things”, “goes up”, “energy is made”. Name the substance and the process.
Do not extrapolate a graph line beyond the data or to zero unless asked.
Six-mark extended responses are marked on content AND a logical, linked line of reasoning.
Marked practiceQuizzes for this lesson
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