Delivering the programme
Linking the topics to copper(II) sulfate
This worksheet uses copper(II) sulfate to ask questions linking it to many different areas of the syllabus. The links cover both ‘Structure’ and ‘Reactivity' and also ‘Tools’. At the end some examples...
Teaching, learning & resources
Possible syllabus interpretation problems
This section looks at possible problems that may arise due to some of the wording in the statements in the 2023 syllabus appearing to be unclear. Either some of the statements do not provide enough detail...
Experimental programme & IA
Collaborative Sciences Project
The collaborative science project is undertaken for ten hours by all science DP students working together to address a real world project of their own choosing. It is not formally assessed but is a required...
Experimental programme & IA
Preparation of 1,3-dinitrobenzene
Benzene itself cannot be used in school laboratories due to its carcinogenic nature. This practical illustrates an electrophilic substitution reaction by converting nitrobenzene into 1,3-dinitrobenzene...
Experimental programme & IA
Preparation & purification of aspirin
A classic experiment to synthesise aspirin and check the purity of the product by taking its melting point and by using thin layer chromatography. The photograph of the packet on the right is an interesting...
Experimental programme & IA
Determination of an organic structure
This practical involves reflux, filtration under reduced pressure, recrystallisation, determination of melting points and thin layer chromatography so covers many of the skills listed in T1 Experimental...
Experimental programme & IA
Hydrolysis of halogenoalkanes
This practical examines the effect of changing the halogenoalkane from primary to secondary to tertiary and changing the halogen from chlorine to bromine to iodine on the rate of nucleophilic substitution....
Experimental programme & IA
Reactions of organic compounds
This is very much a practical introduction to organic chemistry and is excellent for demonstrating (or reinforcing) the underlying theory. The aim of this practical is to relate physical and chemical...
Experimental programme & IA
Oxidation of ethanol
This practical covers the oxidation of ethanol to both ethanal and ethanoic acid using acidified potassium dichromate(VI) and involves the techniques of distillation and reflux. There are only two reactions...
Experimental programme & IA
Electrolytic cells
This practical covers the electrolysis of molten salts required for both SL and HL and also the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of salts, acids and bases which is only required for Higher Level students....