1. What does a curly arrow represent?
- Movement of an electron pair
- Movement of a nucleus
- Heat flow
Check the answer and reasoning
Movement of an electron pair
The arrow starts at an electron pair or bond and ends where the pair moves.
CHEM / AS level
Organic reactions and mechanisms
Functional groups organise reactions of hydrocarbons, halogenoalkanes, alcohols, carbonyl compounds, acids, esters and nitriles. Structural and stereoisomerism describe different relationships.
Learning objectives
- Explain organic reactions and mechanisms using a concrete example.
- Apply the worked method and justify each step.
- Recognise the limitation described in the final check.
The big idea
Functional groups organise reactions of hydrocarbons, halogenoalkanes, alcohols, carbonyl compounds, acids, esters and nitriles. Structural and stereoisomerism describe different relationships.
Mechanisms track electrons using curly arrows. Distinguish nucleophiles, electrophiles and radicals; conditions and reagents determine whether addition, substitution, elimination or oxidation dominates.
Worked example
Which product forms when ethanol is fully oxidised under suitable reflux conditions?
Follow the solution
A primary alcohol can be oxidised through an aldehyde to a carboxylic acid under appropriate conditions.
Investigate and explain
Predict the worked result before calculating. Change one input, record the new result, and explain which assumptions still hold.
Related interactive model. Compare its assumptions with the explanation; it is not a complete syllabus lesson.
Check your understanding
2. Which product forms when ethanol is fully oxidised under suitable reflux conditions?
- Ethene always
- Ethanoic acid
- Ethane
Check the answer and reasoning
Ethanoic acid
A primary alcohol can be oxidised through an aldehyde to a carboxylic acid under appropriate conditions.
3. Are constitutional isomers identical compounds?
- Yes
- Only with the same formula
- No
Check the answer and reasoning
No
They share a molecular formula but have different atom connectivity and may have different properties.