Organic Mechanisms (AQA A Level Chemistry): Revision Note

Organic Mechanisms

Organic Mechanisms

• Throughout the A Level course you have met a number of organic mechanisms

  • You must be able to provide these in full if asked for

  • You must be able to apply your knowledge of what happens in a reaction mechanism to other reactions

• The reaction mechanisms which you have covered in this course are:

  • Free radical substitution

  • Electrophilic addition

  • Nucleophilic substitution

  • Elimination

  • Nucleophilic addition

  • Nucleophilic addition-elimination

  • Electrophilic substitution

  • Formation of amides

General Mechanisms

• The general mechanisms for each of these reactions are shown below

• Remember, these are just general mechanisms - for the exam you will have to draw them specific to the reaction in your exam question

Free radical substitution

Electrophilic addition

Nucleophilic substitution

Nucleophilic substitution with ammonia

Elimination

Nucleophilic addition

Nucleophilic addition-elimination

Electrophilic substitution

Formation of Amides