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Organic synthesis (A-level only) common mistakes
Study Organic synthesis (A-level only) with curriculum-aligned Common Mistakes resources, practice links, and exam-focused support.
At a glance
common mistakes
Resource type
Topic
Organic synthesis (A-level only)
Common mistakes
Ignoring stoichiometry in reactions
Students often forget to balance the number of moles of reactants and products.
Fix itAlways ensure that the reaction is balanced and that stoichiometric ratios are used in calculations.
Incorrect reagent selection
Choosing a reagent that does not match the functional group being transformed.
Fix itAlways verify the compatibility of the reagent with the functional group in the substrate.
Confusing oxidation with reduction
Students often confuse oxidation (loss of electrons) with reduction (gain of electrons).
Fix itRemember that oxidation involves an increase in oxidation state, while reduction involves a decrease.
Ignoring stoichiometry
Students often forget to consider the stoichiometric ratios of reactants when calculating yields.
Fix itAlways refer to the balanced equation to determine the correct mole ratios before performing calculations.
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