Nomenclature

Inquiry question: How do we systematically name organic chemical compounds?

Students:

● investigate the nomenclature of organic chemicals, up to C8, using IUPAC conventions, including simple methyl and ethyl branched chains, including:

– alkanes

– alkenes

– alkynes

– alcohols (primary, secondary and tertiary)

– aldehydes and ketones

– carboxylic acids

– amines and amides

– halogenated organic compounds

● explore and distinguish the different types of structural isomers, including saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, including:

– chain isomers

– position isomers

– functional group isomers

Hydrocarbons

Inquiry question: How can hydrocarbons be classified based on their structure and reactivity?

Students:

● construct models, identify the functional group, and write structural and molecular formulae for homologous series of organic chemical compounds, up to C8

– alkanes

– alkenes

– alkynes

● conduct an investigation to compare the properties of organic chemical compounds within a homologous series, and explain these differences in terms of bonding

● analyse the shape of molecules formed between carbon atoms when a single, double or triple bond is formed between them

● explain the properties within and between the homologous series of alkanes with reference to the intermolecular and intramolecular bonding present

● describe the procedures required to safely handle and dispose of organic substances

● examine the environmental, economic and sociocultural implications of obtaining and using hydrocarbons from the Earth

Products of Reactions Involving Hydrocarbons

Inquiry question: What are the products of reactions of hydrocarbons and how do they react?

Students:

● investigate, write equations and construct models to represent the reactions of unsaturated hydrocarbons when added to a range of chemicals, including but not limited to:

– hydrogen (H₂)

– halogens (X₂)

– hydrogen halides (HX)

– water (H₂O)

● investigate, write equations and construct models to represent the reactions of saturated hydrocarbons when substituted with halogens

Alcohols

Inquiry question: How can alcohols be produced and what are their properties?

● investigate the structural formulae, properties and functional group including:

– primary

– secondary

– tertiary alcohols

● explain the properties within and between the homologous series of alcohols with reference to the intermolecular and intramolecular bonding present

● conduct a practical investigation to measure and reliably compare the enthalpy of combustion for a range of alcohols

● write equations, state conditions and predict products to represent the reactions of alcohols, including but not limited to :

– combustion

– dehydration

– substitution with HX

– oxidation

● investigate the production of alcohols, including:

– substitution reactions of halogenated organic compounds

– fermentation

● investigate the products of the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols

● compare and contrast fuels from organic sources to biofuels, including ethanol

Reactions of Organic Acids and Bases

Inquiry question: What are the properties of organic acids and bases?

Students:

● investigate the structural formulae, properties and functional group including:

– primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols

– aldehydes and ketones

– amines and amides

– carboxylic acids

● explain the properties within and between the homologous series of carboxylic acids amines and amides with reference to the intermolecular and intramolecular bonding present

● investigate the production, in a school laboratory, of simple esters

● investigate the differences between an organic acid and organic base

● investigate the structure and action of soaps and detergents

● draft and construct flow charts to show reaction pathways for chemical synthesis, including those that involve more than one step

Polymers

Inquiry question: What are the properties and uses of polymers?

Students:

● model and compare the structure, properties and uses of addition polymers of ethylene and related monomers, for example:

– polyethylene (PE)

– polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

– polystyrene (PS)

– polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

● model and compare the structure, properties and uses of condensation polymers, for example:

– nylon

– polyesters