Calculations for AS and A level Chemistry
Being confident in tackling different types of mole calculation is the foundation upon which much of A level chemistry stands
From the blog
Explaining the chemistry of Group 2 metals
When we consider the elements of Group 2 we are invariably only investigating magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium. All isotopes
Everything you need to know about chromatography
Chromatography is all about separating a mixture into its constituents by distributing them between two phases – a mobile phase
Continue readingEverything you need to know about chromatography
Oxidising alcohols to form a carbonyl
Primary and secondary alcohols are oxidised by common oxidising agents such as potassium manganate(VII), KMnO4, or acidified sodium dichromate(VI), Na2Cr2O7
What makes a good leaving group?
And why do some perfectly plausible reactions just not happen? Acyl chlorides readily react with hydroxide ions to form a
How to name an alcohol, an alkoxide or an ether
Alcohols are organic molecules containing the OH, hydroxyl, functional group and are named after their parent alkane … If the
Continue readingHow to name an alcohol, an alkoxide or an ether
How to prepare a halogenoalkane
There are number of ways to make a halogenoalkane, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Halogenation of
Experimental methods for following the rate of a reaction
Quenching We can stop a chemical reaction in its tracks using a practical technique called quenching. There are two ways
Continue readingExperimental methods for following the rate of a reaction
What are autocatalytic reactions?
If we were to measure the change in concentration of a reactant over time and then plot a graph of
Reaction mechanisms, intermediates and the rate determining step
There are many reactions which happen as the stoichiometric (chemical) equation would suggest … e.g. the reaction between chlorine radicals
Continue readingReaction mechanisms, intermediates and the rate determining step
Using the Arrhenius equation to find the activation energy for a reaction
For almost all reactions there is an energy barrier to overcome – this is known as the activation energy, Ea,
Continue readingUsing the Arrhenius equation to find the activation energy for a reaction