Key term
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
Organic Synthesis, NMR and Chromatography
- 9 subtopics
- 27 things to know
- Papers 2 and 3
What Organic Synthesis, NMR and Chromatography covers
Organic synthesis, NMR and chromatography is examined on Papers 2 and 3, and pulls the whole organic course together. It covers planning a multi-step route, the green chemistry that judges it, then NMR and the chromatography techniques used to separate and identify the products.
Where it is assessed
Papers 2 and 3
Organic and the physical chemistry behind it, then the synoptic paper.
Check the AQA specification ↗The 9 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Multi-Step Synthesis RoutesPlanning a route between two compounds, and choosing the reagents and conditions for each step.Open →
- Green Chemistry Principles in Synthesis DesignAtom economy, waste, solvents and energy, and how they shape the route chosen.Open →
- Principles of NMR and the Delta ScaleHow nuclei absorb radio frequency in a magnetic field, chemical shift, and shielding.Open →
- Carbon-13 NMR InterpretationCounting carbon environments, and using them to tell isomers apart.Open →
- Proton NMR Chemical Shift and IntegrationReading chemical shift from a data sheet, and what integration ratios tell you.Open →
- Spin-Spin Splitting and the n+1 RuleWhy peaks split, applying the n+1 rule, and naming the splitting patterns.Open →
- TMS and Deuterated SolventsWhy TMS is the reference, and why the solvent must contain no ordinary hydrogen.Open →
- Thin-Layer Chromatography and Rf ValuesThe stationary and mobile phases, calculating Rf, and identifying a spot.Open →
- Column and Gas Chromatography, and GC-MSStationary and mobile phases, retention time, and coupling gas chromatography to a mass spectrometer.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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What does a carbon-13 NMR spectrum tell you?
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What is meant by a multi-step synthesis in organic chemistry?
Process
At A-level, how many steps at most will a synthesis route you are asked to devise involve?
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What does atom economy measure in a chemical reaction?
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How is percentage atom economy calculated?
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What physical phenomenon does NMR spectroscopy exploit to provide structural information about molecules?
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What information does a carbon-13 NMR spectrum provide about a molecule?
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What does ¹H NMR spectroscopy provide information about?
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What scale is used for recording chemical shift in NMR spectroscopy?
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What causes spin-spin splitting in proton NMR spectra?
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What is the n+1 rule in proton NMR?
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What is the molecular formula of TMS?
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Why does TMS produce a single sharp peak in both ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra?
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What is the stationary phase in thin-layer chromatography?
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What is the Rf value?
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What is the stationary phase in column chromatography?
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What is the mobile phase in column chromatography?
Process
Why do chemists aim to design production methods with fewer steps?
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Why do addition reactions have high atom economy?
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What type of nuclei can be detected using NMR spectroscopy?
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What does each peak in a carbon-13 NMR spectrum represent?
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What factor determines the chemical shift of a proton in ¹H NMR?
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What splitting pattern does a proton show when it has one adjacent non-equivalent proton?
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Why is the chemical shift of TMS defined as zero on the δ scale?
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How is the Rf value calculated?
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In which direction does the solvent move in column chromatography?
Take Organic Synthesis, NMR and Chromatography further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Stationary phase vs Mobile phase
Stationary phase: the phase remaining fixed during separation. Mobile phase: the phase moving through or over the fixed phase.
Carbon-13 NMR vs Proton NMR
Carbon-13 NMR: spectroscopy showing distinct carbon environments. Proton NMR: spectroscopy showing hydrogen environments, ratios and splitting.
Chemical shift vs Integration trace
Chemical shift: resonance position measured relative to a reference signal. Integration trace: relative area showing the proton ratio in different environments.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What is meant by a multi-step synthesis in organic chemistry?
Model answer
A synthesis that involves more than one reaction step to convert starting materials into the desired product
- 2
At A-level, how many steps at most will a synthesis route you are asked to devise involve?
Model answer
Up to four steps
- 3
Why do chemists aim to design synthesis processes that do not require a solvent?
Model answer
To reduce environmental impact, waste, and hazards associated with solvent use and disposal
- 4
Why do chemists prefer to use non-hazardous starting materials in synthesis design?
Model answer
To reduce risks to workers and the environment during the synthesis process
- 5
Why do chemists aim to design production methods with fewer steps?
Model answer
Fewer steps reduce waste, increase overall yield, save time and resources, and reduce costs
- 6
What is the advantage of designing synthesis routes with high percentage atom economy?
Model answer
High atom economy means more atoms from reactants are incorporated into the product, reducing waste
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Organic Synthesis, NMR and Chromatography revision questions
- What does Organic Synthesis, NMR and Chromatography cover in AQA A-Level Chemistry?
- 9 subtopics: multi-step synthesis routes, green chemistry principles in synthesis design, principles of nmr and the delta scale, carbon-13 nmr interpretation, proton nmr chemical shift and integration, spin-spin splitting and the n+1 rule, tms and deuterated solvents, thin-layer chromatography and rf values and column and gas chromatography, and gc-ms. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Organic Synthesis, NMR and Chromatography organised?
- By the AQA 7405 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Organic Synthesis, NMR and Chromatography, on a schedule.
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