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Organic Chemistry and Analysis (OA2.1 Alcohols and phenols)

8 dot points across 8 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How does phenol differ from an aliphatic alcohol, and why is it more acidic and more reactive in the ring?

The properties and reactions of phenol, its weak acidity compared with alcohols, the activation of the aromatic ring towards electrophilic substitution, and tests to distinguish phenol from an alcohol.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry OA2.1 answer on the reactions of phenol, its acidity compared with alcohols, the activation of the aromatic ring to electrophilic substitution, and distinguishing tests.
11 min answer →

How do the carbonyl compounds react, and how can we distinguish an aldehyde from a ketone?

The carbonyl group, nucleophilic addition reactions (with HCN and with reducing agents), oxidation of aldehydes, and the tests that distinguish aldehydes from ketones.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry OA2.2 answer on the carbonyl group, nucleophilic addition with HCN and reducing agents, oxidation of aldehydes, and the tests distinguishing aldehydes from ketones.
11 min answer →

How are amines made, why are they basic, and how does aromatic amine basicity differ from aliphatic?

The preparation of amines, their basicity and the comparison of aliphatic, aromatic and ammonia basicity, their reactions as bases and nucleophiles, and the formation of amides and salts.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry OA3.1 answer on the preparation of amines, their basicity (comparing aliphatic, aromatic and ammonia), their reactions as bases and nucleophiles, and amide and salt formation.
11 min answer →

How do amino acids behave as both acids and bases, and how do they join to form proteins?

The structure of amino acids, their amphoteric behaviour and zwitterions, the effect of pH and the isoelectric point, peptide bond formation and hydrolysis, and protein structure.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry OA3.2 answer on amino acid structure, amphoteric behaviour and zwitterions, the isoelectric point, peptide bond formation and hydrolysis, and protein structure.
11 min answer →

Why is benzene so stable, and how does it react by electrophilic substitution?

The structure and bonding of benzene, evidence for the delocalised model, the stability of the aromatic ring, and electrophilic substitution reactions such as nitration and halogenation.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry OA1.2 answer on the structure and bonding of benzene, the delocalised model and its evidence, the stability of the aromatic ring, and electrophilic substitution reactions.
11 min answer →

How do carboxylic acids and their derivatives interconvert, and what makes acyl chlorides so reactive?

The acidity and reactions of carboxylic acids, the derivatives (esters, acyl chlorides, acid anhydrides and amides), their interconversion, esterification and hydrolysis, and the reactivity of acyl chlorides.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry OA2.3 answer on the acidity and reactions of carboxylic acids, the derivatives (esters, acyl chlorides, anhydrides, amides), their interconversion, and the reactivity of acyl chlorides.
12 min answer →

How do chemists plan multi-step syntheses and use chromatography and NMR to identify products?

Multi-step synthesis and reaction pathways, chromatography (TLC and gas chromatography), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy including chemical shift, splitting and integration.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry OA4 answer on planning multi-step synthesis, chromatography (TLC and gas chromatography), and NMR spectroscopy (chemical shift, splitting and integration).
12 min answer →

How can two molecules with the same structural formula differ in their arrangement in space?

E/Z (geometric) isomerism from restricted rotation about a C=C bond, optical isomerism from a chiral centre, the meaning of enantiomers and optical activity, and the priority rules for naming.
An Eduqas A-Level Chemistry OA1.1 answer on E/Z (geometric) isomerism, optical isomerism and chirality, enantiomers and optical activity, and the priority rules for naming stereoisomers.
11 min answer →