Structure of organic compounds
Chemistry · Unit 4 — Structure, synthesis and design · Properties and structure of organic materials
Learning objectives (38)
LO-13D models of organic molecules.LO-2Analyse data from spectra, including mass spectroscopy and infrared to determine the identity and structure of organic molecules. The following subject matter may be assessed in the internal assessments.LO-3Analyse data to determine the physical properties of an homologous series, trends in melting point, boiling point, volatility and the solubility alkanes, alkenes, alcohols and carboxylic acids. Organic reactions and reaction pathwaysLO-4Analyse data to determine the structural, molecular and empirical formula of organic compound and the percentage composition of elements in organic compounds. Chem istry 2025 v1.3 Physical properties and trendsLO-5Analyse data, including paper/TLC chromatograms and electrophoresis to determine the identity of amino acids and retention factors. (Formula: 𝑅F = distance moved by the amino acid distance moved by the solvent)LO-6Apply IUPAC rules in the nomenclature of organic compounds, up to C10, including simple methyl and ethyl branched chains, for - alkanes, alkenes and alkynes - alcohols (primary, secondary and tertiary) - aldehydes and ketones - carboxylic acids - haloalkanes (primary, secondary and tertiary) - esters.LO-7Apply Markovnikov’s rule to determine the products for addition reactions of alkenes with hydrogen halides (HX) and water.LO-8Deduce the structural formula of geometrical (cis and trans) isomers (non-cyclic alkenes), optical isomers and isomers of the non-cyclic alkanes up to C6.LO-9Describe the acid-base properties of carboxylic acids and amines.LO-10Describe the features of a homologous series.LO-11Describe the structural features of - amino acids, tripeptides, monosaccharides and disaccharides - polyethene (LDPE and HDPE), polypropene (syntactic, isotactic and atactic) and polytetrafluorethene (Teflon). - polylactic acid (PLA), polyamide (nylon) and polyester.LO-12Determine molecular and structural formulas for organic compounds, up to C10, including simple methyl and ethyl branched chains, for - alkanes, alkenes and alkynes - alcohols (primary, secondary and tertiary) - aldehydes and ketones - carboxylic acids - amines and amides - haloalkanes (primary, secondary and tertiary) - esters.LO-13Determine reaction pathways, including reagents, condition and chemical equations, given the starting materials and the product/s formed.LO-14Determine the primary, secondary and tertiary carbon atoms in haloalkanes and alcohols.LO-15Determine the structural formula of optical isomers for simple organic compounds.LO-16Determine, using equations, reactions including the - oxidation of alcohols - combustion of alkanes and alcohols - addition of alkenes to form poly(alkenes) - reduction of alkynes and alkenes to form alkanes - elimination of haloalkanes to form alkenes.LO-17Determine, using equations, the reaction of - alkanes with halogens (X2) - haloalkanes with halogens (X2), sodium hydroxide and ammonia - alkenes with water, halogens(X2), hydrogen (H2) and hydrogen halides (HX) - alcohols with hydrogen halides (HX) - carboxylic acid with alcohol to form esters, and with amines to form amides.LO-18Discriminate between - alkanes and alkenes using bromine water - primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols using acidified potassium dichromate (VI) and potassium manganate (VII).LO-19Discriminate between class and functional groups, e.g. for OH, hydroxyl is the functional group and alcohol is the class.LO-20Discriminate between empirical, molecular and structural formulas.LO-21Discriminate between saturated and unsaturated organic molecu les.LO-22electrophoresis to separate amino acids*LO-23Explain how amino acids can be separated and analysed by electrophoresis, including pH of buffer, isoelectric points, and movement of charged ions.LO-24Explain how amino acids can be separated and identified by paper/TLC chromatography, including intermolecular forces/solubility in mobile and stationary phase and retention (RF) values.LO-25Explain how properties, including strength, density and biodegradability of polymers can be related to the structures of the materials.LO-26Explain that esterification is a reversible reaction.LO-27Explain the acid-base properties of 2-amino acids, including the formation of zwitterions. Analytical techniquesLO-28Explain the trends (melting point, boiling point, volatility, solubility in water and organic solvents) within and between homologous series (alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, carboxylic acids) in term of intermolecular and intramolecular bonding, e.g. dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions and hydrogen bonds.LO-29Identify chiral carbon atoms.LO-30Identify organic molecules including alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, haloalkanes, esters, amines and amides.LO-31Identify reactions as addition, elimination, substitution or redox (oxidation-reduction). (Reaction mechanism for substitution and elimination reactions are not required.)LO-32Identify structural and stereoisomers, including geometrical (cis and trans) and optical isomers.LO-33Identify that an organic compound displays characteristic chemical properties and undergoes specific reactions based on the functional group present.LO-34Interpret chemical tests to distinguish between alkanes and alkenes; and primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols. Chem istry 2025 v1.3 Organic materials: structure and functionLO-35mass spectroscopy and infrared spectra.* *Note: Simulations may be used.LO-36paper/TLC chromatography to separate amino acids*LO-37properties of homologous series*LO-38Sketch the structural formula and apply IUPAC rules in the nomenclature for isomers of alkanes (non-cyclic) and alkenes (straight chain) up to C6, and for the geometrical (cis and trans) isomers of simple alkenes (non-cyclic).
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