Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry · Section 4
Organic Chemistry
Crude oil, fractional distillation, combustion, cracking, alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, acids, esters and polymers.
What this section covers
This section covers carbon chemistry. Students revise crude oil, hydrocarbon reactions, functional groups and the way smaller molecules can be turned into useful polymers.
- Describe crude oil, fractional distillation, combustion and cracking.
- Compare alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters.
- Explain addition polymerisation, condensation polymerisation and natural polymers.
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1
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Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Spec 4.1-4.4
An introduction to organic chemistry, homologous series and functional groups.
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2
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Organic Formulae and Naming up to Six Carbons
Spec 4.2, 4.4
Covers distinguish five formula types, Use carbon-chain prefixes to six carbons and Apply functional-group suffixes.
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3
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Isomerism & Types of Organic Reaction
Spec 4.5-4.6
Isomerism and the main types of organic reaction.
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4
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Crude Oil & Fractional Distillation
Spec 4.7-4.11
How crude oil is separated into useful fractions by fractional distillation.
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5
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Combustion, Pollutants & Acid Rain
Spec 4.12-4.16
Complete and incomplete combustion, the pollutants produced, and acid rain.
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6
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Cracking Conditions, Alkene Isomers and Bromine
Spec 4.17, 4.26-4.27
Covers state cracking conditions precisely, Draw and name alkenes to four carbons and Predict bromine-addition products.
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7
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Cracking
Spec 4.17-4.18
How cracking breaks long hydrocarbons into shorter, more useful ones.
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8
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Alkanes and Combustion
Spec 4.19-4.22
Covers use the alkane general formula, Draw and name alkanes up to five carbon atoms and Distinguish complete and incomplete combustion.
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9
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Alkenes & the Bromine Water Test
Spec 4.23-4.28
The alkenes, their reactions, and the bromine water test for unsaturation.
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10
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Alcohols
Spec 4.29C-4.33C
The alcohols — their structure, properties and reactions, including combustion.
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11
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Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids up to Four Carbons (Paper 2)
Spec 4.30C, 4.35C
Covers draw the first four alcohols, Draw the first four carboxylic acids and Use functional groups and general formulae.
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12
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Ethanol: Oxidation, Hydration and Fermentation (Paper 2)
Spec 4.31C-4.33C
Covers describe oxidation of ethanol, Compare hydration and fermentation conditions and Explain the absence of air and optimum fermentation temperature.
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14
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Esters: Structures, Names and Practical (Paper 2)
Spec 4.38C-4.43C
Covers name esters from their alcohol and acid, Construct and interpret ester structures and Describe a safe ester preparation.
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15
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Addition Polymers & Their Disposal
Spec 4.44-4.47
How addition polymers form from alkenes, and the problems of disposing of them.
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16
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Addition and Condensation Polymer Structures (Paper 2)
Spec 4.45-4.50C
Covers construct addition-polymer repeat units, Deduce monomers from repeat units and Construct a polyester and explain biopolyester biodegradability.
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17
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Condensation Polymers & Polyesters
Spec 4.48C-4.50C
How condensation polymers such as polyesters are formed.
Frequently asked questions
How is crude oil separated?
Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons, separated into useful fractions by fractional distillation based on their boiling points.
What is the test for an alkene?
Alkenes turn bromine water from orange to colourless, because they are unsaturated (contain a C=C double bond).
What is cracking?
Breaking long-chain hydrocarbons into shorter, more useful molecules such as fuels and the alkenes used to make polymers.
What is the difference between addition and condensation polymers?
Addition polymers form from alkene monomers with no other product; condensation polymers form with the loss of a small molecule such as water.
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