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AQA A-Level Chemistry 7405
Atomic Structure
Topic overviewFundamental ParticlesMass Number and IsotopesTime of Flight Mass Spectrometry: Ionisation and AccelerationTime of Flight Mass Spectrometry: Drift, Detection and Calculating m/zElectron Configuration: Sub-shells and OrbitalsElectron Configuration: Writing Configurations for Atoms and IonsIonisation Energies and Periodic Trends
Amount of Substance
Topic overviewRelative Atomic and Molecular MassThe Mole and the Avogadro ConstantThe Ideal Gas EquationEmpirical and Molecular FormulaBalanced Equations and Reaction CalculationsAtom Economy and Percentage YieldAcid-Base Titrations: Principles, Indicators and ApparatusAcid-Base Titrations: Standard Solutions and Calculations
Bonding
Topic overviewIonic BondingCovalent, Dative Covalent and Metallic BondingCrystal Structures: Giant Ionic Lattices and DiamondCrystal Structures: Graphite and Simple Molecular SolidsShapes of Molecules and Ions: VSEPR and Electron Pair RepulsionShapes of Molecules and Ions: Predicting Shapes and Bond AnglesElectronegativity and Bond PolarityIntermolecular Forces
Energetics and Thermodynamics
Kinetics
Topic overviewCollision Theory and Activation EnergyMaxwell-Boltzmann Distribution and the Effect of TemperatureEffect of Concentration and Pressure, and CatalystsRate Equations: The Rate Equation and Orders of ReactionRate Equations: The Effect of Concentration on RateThe Rate Constant and the Arrhenius EquationDetermining Rate Equations: The Initial Rates MethodDetermining Rate Equations: Continuous MonitoringRate Equations and Reaction Mechanisms
Chemical Equilibria
Redox and Electrochemistry
Topic overviewRedox: Definitions and the Rules for Oxidation StatesRedox: Identifying Oxidation and Reduction in a ReactionHalf-Equations and Combined Redox EquationsStandard Electrode Potentials and the Hydrogen ElectrodeElectrochemical Cells and EMF CalculationsPredicting Redox Reactions from Electrode PotentialsCommercial Cells and Fuel Cells
Acids and Bases
Periodicity and Group Chemistry
Topic overviews, p, d and f Block ClassificationTrends in Period 3Group 2 Trends in Atomic Radius, Ionisation Energy and Melting PointReactions of Group 2 with WaterSolubility Trends of Group 2 HydroxidesSolubility Trends of Group 2 SulfatesUses of Group 2 CompoundsTest for Sulfate IonsTrends in Electronegativity and Boiling Point of HalogensHalogens as Oxidising Agents and Displacement ReactionsHalide Ions as Reducing Agents: Chloride and BromideHalide Ions as Reducing Agents: Iodide, and the EquationsTest for Halide Ions Using Silver NitrateTests for Ammonium, Group 2, Hydroxide and Carbonate IonsReactions of Chlorine with WaterReactions of Chlorine with Cold Dilute NaOH and Water Treatment
Period 3 Elements and Their Oxides
Topic overviewReactions of Na and Mg with WaterPeriod 3 Elements with Oxygen: The Oxides Formed and Their BondingPeriod 3 Elements with Oxygen: Structures and Oxidation StatesMelting Points of Period 3 OxidesPeriod 3 Oxides with Water: Sodium and Magnesium OxidesPeriod 3 Oxides with Water: The Acidic Oxides and the pH TrendPeriod 3 Oxides with Acids and Bases: The ReactionsPeriod 3 Oxides with Acids and Bases: Acidic, Basic and Amphoteric
Transition Metals
Topic overviewGeneral Properties of Transition MetalsComplex Ions: Ligands, Coordinate Bonds and DenticityComplex Ions: Why a Species Can Act as a Ligand, and Coordination NumberSubstitution Reactions with Monodentate LigandsSubstitution Reactions with Bidentate and Multidentate LigandsHaemoglobin and the Chelate EffectShapes of Complex Ions and StereoisomerismFormation of Coloured Ions and the d-d TransitionColorimetry and Concentration DeterminationVariable Oxidation States and Vanadium ChemistryTollens' Reagent and Redox TitrationsHeterogeneous CatalysisVanadium(V) Oxide and the Contact ProcessHomogeneous Catalysis and AutocatalysisMetal-Aqua Ions and AcidityMetal Aqua Ions with Bases: Reactions with Hydroxide and AmmoniaMetal Aqua Ions with Bases: Why They React, and Their EquationsAmphoteric HydroxidesIdentifying Transition Metal Ions by Test-Tube Reactions
Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Hydrocarbons
Topic overviewAlkanes, Fractional Distillation and CrackingCombustion of Alkanes and PollutantsFree Radical Chlorination of AlkanesAlkenes: Structure, Bonding and Electrophilic AdditionMarkovnikov's Rule and Carbocation StabilityAddition Polymers and Repeating UnitsProperties and Uses of Polyalkenes
Halogenoalkanes, Alcohols and Organic Analysis
Topic overviewNucleophilic Substitution of HalogenoalkanesEffect of Bond Enthalpy on Reaction RateElimination Reactions and Competing MechanismsCFCs and Ozone DepletionIndustrial Production of AlcoholsBiofuels and Carbon NeutralityClassification and Oxidation of AlcoholsDistinguishing Aldehydes and KetonesElimination of Water from AlcoholsTest-Tube Reactions for Functional GroupsMass Spectrometry and Molecular FormulaInfrared Spectroscopy, Functional Groups and Global Warming
Carbonyls, Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
Topic overviewOxidation of Aldehydes and Distinguishing TestsReduction of Carbonyls with NaBH4Nucleophilic Addition with KCN and Hydroxynitrile FormationHazards of KCN and Formation of EnantiomersStructure and Acidity of Carboxylic AcidsEsterification and the Uses of EstersVegetable Oils, Fats and the Hydrolysis of EstersSoap and Biodiesel Production from FatsStructure of Acid Anhydrides, Acyl Chlorides and AmidesNucleophilic Addition-Elimination Reactions of Acyl ChloridesAcid Anhydrides and the Industrial Synthesis of AspirinPurifying organic solids and liquids
Aromatic Chemistry and Amines
Topic overviewBonding and Stability of BenzeneElectrophilic Substitution: NitrationElectrophilic Substitution: Friedel-Crafts AcylationPreparation of Aliphatic and Aromatic AminesBase Strength of AminesAmines as Nucleophiles, and Quaternary Ammonium SaltsAmines with Acyl Chlorides and Acid Anhydrides
Polymers, Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA
Topic overviewCondensation Polymers: PolyestersCondensation Polymers: PolyamidesIntermolecular Forces in Condensation PolymersBiodegradability and Disposal of PolymersAmino Acids and ZwitterionsPeptide Bonds and Protein StructureHydrogen Bonding and Disulfide Bridges in ProteinsHydrolysis of Proteins and TLC IdentificationEnzymes, Active Sites and Inhibitors in Drug DesignDNA: Nucleotides, the Double Helix and Base PairingCisplatin and Anticancer Drug Action
Organic Synthesis, NMR and Chromatography
Topic overviewMulti-Step Synthesis RoutesGreen Chemistry Principles in Synthesis DesignPrinciples of NMR and the Delta ScaleCarbon-13 NMR InterpretationProton NMR Chemical Shift and IntegrationSpin-Spin Splitting and the n+1 RuleTMS and Deuterated SolventsThin-Layer Chromatography and Rf ValuesColumn and Gas Chromatography, and GC-MS
Introduction to Organic Chemistry
- 8 subtopics
- 24 things to know
- Papers 2 and 3
What Introduction to Organic Chemistry covers
Introduction to organic chemistry is examined on Papers 2 and 3, and every organic topic after it depends on it. It covers naming and drawing organic compounds, the mechanisms notation used throughout, and the three kinds of isomerism.
Where it is assessed
Papers 2 and 3
Organic and the physical chemistry behind it, then the synoptic paper.
Check the AQA specification ↗The 8 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Nomenclature and Formula RepresentationsMolecular, empirical, general, structural, displayed and skeletal formulae, and when each is used.Open →
- Homologous Series and General FormulaeWhat makes a homologous series, and the general formula of each of the main families.Open →
- IUPAC Naming: Stems, Prefixes and SuffixesChoosing the longest chain, numbering it, and naming substituents and functional groups systematically.Open →
- Free Radical and Curly Arrow MechanismsHomolytic and heterolytic fission, free radicals, and what a curly arrow represents.Open →
- Structural IsomerismChain, position and functional group isomerism, and drawing the isomers of a formula.Open →
- E-Z Stereoisomerism and CIP Priority RulesWhy restricted rotation causes E-Z isomerism, and assigning priority by the CIP rules.Open →
- Chirality and EnantiomersChiral centres, enantiomers as non-superimposable mirror images, and spotting them in a structure.Open →
- Racemic Mixtures and Optical ActivityRacemic mixtures, why they are not optically active, and why they form in some reactions.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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What makes a carbon atom chiral, and what are enantiomers?
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What is a molecular formula?
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What is a homologous series?
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What two features do members of a homologous series share?
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What is the IUPAC naming convention for the longest carbon chain in an organic molecule?
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How are substituent groups indicated in IUPAC nomenclature?
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What is a free radical?
Process
What does a single-headed curly arrow represent in a mechanism?
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What is the definition of structural isomers?
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What are the three types of structural isomerism?
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What structural feature is required for E-Z stereoisomerism to occur in alkenes?
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Why does restricted rotation around a carbon-carbon double bond lead to stereoisomerism?
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What is a chiral centre in an organic molecule?
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What is a racemic mixture?
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What is the composition of a racemic mixture in terms of enantiomers?
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What information does a molecular formula provide that an empirical formula does not?
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What is the general formula for alcohols?
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What numbering rule applies when naming organic compounds with substituents?
Process
What does a double-headed curly arrow represent in a mechanism?
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What is chain isomerism?
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What does the CIP priority system stand for?
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What are enantiomers?
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What is the optical activity of a racemic mixture?
Take Introduction to Organic Chemistry further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Structural formula vs Displayed formula
Structural formula: representation showing the arrangement of atoms without every bond. Displayed formula: representation showing every atom and every bond.
Chain isomerism vs Position isomerism
Chain isomerism: same molecular formula with different carbon skeletons. Position isomerism: same skeleton and functional group at different locations.
E isomer vs Z isomer
E isomer: higher-priority groups positioned on opposite sides of a double bond. Z isomer: higher-priority groups positioned on the same side of a double bond.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What is a molecular formula?
Model answer
A formula showing the actual number of atoms of each element in one molecule of a compound.
- 2
What information does a molecular formula provide that an empirical formula does not?
Model answer
The molecular formula shows the actual number of atoms present, whereas the empirical formula shows only the simplest whole number ratio.
- 3
What is an empirical formula?
Model answer
The smallest whole-number ratio in which the elements' atoms are present.
- 4
What is a general formula?
Model answer
An algebraic formula that represents the molecular formula of any member of a homologous series.
- 5
What is a structural formula?
Model answer
A formula showing the arrangement of atoms in a molecule, indicating how atoms are bonded together, without necessarily showing every bond.
- 6
What is the purpose of a structural formula?
Model answer
To show how atoms are arranged and connected in a molecule.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Introduction to Organic Chemistry revision questions
- What does Introduction to Organic Chemistry cover in AQA A-Level Chemistry?
- 8 subtopics: nomenclature and formula representations, homologous series and general formulae, iupac naming: stems, prefixes and suffixes, free radical and curly arrow mechanisms, structural isomerism, e-z stereoisomerism and cip priority rules, chirality and enantiomers and racemic mixtures and optical activity. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Introduction to Organic Chemistry organised?
- By the AQA 7405 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Introduction to Organic Chemistry, on a schedule.
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