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C3: Chemistry of Carbon Compounds (C3.4 Alcohols and carboxylic acids)

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How are alcohols made and oxidised, and how do carboxylic acids and esters form?

Classification of alcohols, oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols, dehydration and esterification, the acidity and reactions of carboxylic acids, and ester formation and hydrolysis.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry C3.4 answer on classifying and oxidising alcohols, dehydration, the acidity and reactions of carboxylic acids, and the formation and hydrolysis of esters.
12 min answer →

How do halogenoalkanes react, and what mechanisms explain substitution and elimination?

Nucleophilic substitution of halogenoalkanes, the mechanisms and the effect of the C-X bond, elimination to form alkenes, the relative rates of hydrolysis, and the environmental impact of halogenoalkanes.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry C3.3 answer on nucleophilic substitution of halogenoalkanes, elimination to alkenes, the relative rates of hydrolysis, and the environmental impact of CFCs.
11 min answer →

How do alkanes and alkenes react, and what mechanisms explain those reactions?

Alkanes from crude oil, combustion and free-radical substitution, alkenes and their electrophilic addition reactions, Markownikoff's rule, and addition polymerisation.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry C3.2 answer on alkanes (combustion and free-radical substitution), alkenes (electrophilic addition and Markownikoff's rule) and addition polymerisation.
12 min answer →

How do mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy help us identify organic molecules?

Mass spectrometry of organic compounds (molecular ion and fragmentation), infrared spectroscopy and characteristic absorptions, and using spectra to deduce structures and monitor functional groups.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry C3.5 answer on mass spectrometry of organic compounds (molecular ion and fragmentation) and infrared spectroscopy, and using spectra to deduce structures.
10 min answer →

How do chemists name, classify and represent organic molecules, and what is isomerism?

Functional groups and homologous series, IUPAC nomenclature, empirical, molecular, structural, displayed and skeletal formulae, general formulae, and structural and stereoisomerism.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry C3.1 answer on functional groups and homologous series, IUPAC naming, types of formula, general formulae, and structural and stereoisomerism.
11 min answer →