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Organic synthesis (A-level only)
This A-level-only topic integrates organic reactions across the specification.
4
Objectives
10
Flashcards
10
Questions
88 min
Study time
AqaA LevelChemistryOrganic chemistry
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Syllabus checklist
What you need to know
4 objective pages available
Synthetic routes (A-level only)4 objectives
- Plan synthetic routes between organic compounds in the specification.
- Select suitable reagents and conditions for each step.
- Explain functional-group interconversions.
- Evaluate alternative synthetic routes.
Key terms
ReagentNucleophileSynthetic routeElectrophilic additionOxidationYield
Exam tips
- Practice drawing reaction mechanisms.: Being able to illustrate mechanisms helps in understanding the steps involved in organic reactions.
- Show all steps in synthetic routes: When outlining synthetic routes, clearly indicate each step with reagents and conditions.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring stoichiometry in reactions: Always ensure that the reaction is balanced and that stoichiometric ratios are used in calculations.
- Incorrect reagent selection: Always verify the compatibility of the reagent with the functional group in the substrate.
Practice preview
- Which of the following is a correct reagent for the reduction of a ketone to a secondary alcohol?
- Outline a synthetic route to convert benzene to phenylethanol.
- Calculate the mass of sodium ethoxide (C2H5ONa) required to produce 0.5 moles of ethyl acetate (C4H8O2) via the reaction with acetic acid (C2H4O2).
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