Edexcel IAL Chemistry Topic 4 Checklist
(2025–2026 Exams)
Topic 4: Introductory Organic Chemistry and Alkanes
4A: Introduction
Understand the difference between hazard
and risk
Understand the hazards associated with organic compounds
and why it is necessary to carry out risk assessments when dealing with potentially hazardous materials
Be able to suggest ways in which risks can be reduced and reactions carried out safely, for example:
– Working on a smaller scale
– Taking precautions specific to the hazard
– Using an alternative method that involves less hazardous substances
– Working on a smaller scale
– Taking precautions specific to the hazard
– Using an alternative method that involves less hazardous substances
Understand the concepts of homologous series
and functional group
Be able to apply the rules of International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)
nomenclature to:
– Name compounds relevant to this specification
– Draw these compounds, as they are encountered in the specification, using structural , displayed and skeletal formulae
(Students will be expected to know prefixes for compounds up to C 10 )
– Name compounds relevant to this specification
– Draw these compounds, as they are encountered in the specification, using structural , displayed and skeletal formulae
(Students will be expected to know prefixes for compounds up to C 10 )
Be able to classify reactions as addition
, substitution
, oxidation
, reduction
or polymerisation
Understand that bond breaking can be:
– Homolytic , to produce free radicals
– Heterolytic , to produce ions
– Homolytic , to produce free radicals
– Heterolytic , to produce ions
Know definitions of the terms ‘ free radical
’ and ‘ electrophile
’
4B: Alkanes
Know the general formula of alkanes
and cycloalkanes
, and understand that they are hydrocarbons
(compounds of carbon and hydrogen only) which are saturated
(contain single bonds only)
Understand the term ‘ structural isomerism
’ and be able to draw the structural isomers of organic molecules, given their molecular formula
Be able to draw and name the structural isomers
of alkanes and cycloalkanes with up to six carbon atoms
Know that alkanes
are used as fuels and obtained from the fractional distillation
, cracking
and reforming
of crude oil, and be able to write equations for these reactions
Know that pollutants
, including carbon monoxide
, oxides of nitrogen
and sulfur
, carbon particulates
and unburned hydrocarbons
, are emitted during the combustion of alkane fuels
Understand the problems arising from pollutants from the combustion of alkane fuels, limited to the toxicity of carbon monoxide
and why it is toxic, and the acidity of oxides of nitrogen and sulfur
Be able to discuss the reasons for developing alternative fuels
in terms of sustainability and reducing emissions, including the emission of CO 2
and its relationship to climate change
Be able to apply the concept of carbon neutrality
to different fuels, such as petrol, bioethanol and hydrogen
Understand the reactions of alkanes
with:
– Oxygen in the air (combustion)
– Halogens
– Oxygen in the air (combustion)
– Halogens
Understand the mechanism of the free radical substitution
reaction between an alkane and a halogen:
– Using free radicals, which are species with an unpaired electron, represented by a single dot
– Showing the initiation step of the mechanism, with curly half-arrows for free radical formation
– Showing the propagation and termination steps of the mechanism
– Having limited use in synthesis because of further substitution reactions
– Using free radicals, which are species with an unpaired electron, represented by a single dot
– Showing the initiation step of the mechanism, with curly half-arrows for free radical formation
– Showing the propagation and termination steps of the mechanism
– Having limited use in synthesis because of further substitution reactions
Further suggested practical:
Cracking alkanes by thermal decomposition, including liquid paraffin using aluminium oxide as a catalyst
