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9701 Chemistry · Topics 28–35 · A Level

A2 Organic Synthesis Reaction Web — A Level Chemistry 9701

The A2 half of the organic syllabus on one page. Arenes, phenol, acyl chlorides, esters, amides, amines, amino acids and polymers, all connected by arrows carrying their reagents and conditions — the single most useful page to have in front of you when a Paper 4 synthesis question appears.

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9701 Chemistry · Topics 28–35 · A Level only
A2 Organic Synthesis — Reaction Web

AROMATIC conc. HNO₃ / H₂SO₄, 55 °C Sn / conc. HCl, then NaOH CH₃Cl / AlCl₃, dry hot alkaline KMnO₄, then H⁺ CH₃COCl / AlCl₃, dry Nitrobenzene NO₂ Benzene Methylbenzene CH₃ Aryl ketone CO–R Phenylamine NH₂ Benzoic acid COOH Phenol OHNaOH → phenoxide Br₂(aq) → white ppt, no catalyst weak base · Br₂(aq) → white ppt ALSO FROM BENZENE Br₂ with AlBr₃ (halogen carrier) → C₆H₅–Br Substitution keeps the delocalised ring; addition would destroy its extra stability. ALIPHATIC NaCN with dilute acid dilute HCl, reflux PCl₅ alcohol, conc. H₂SO₄, reflux + ROH, room temp + NH₃ or RNH₂ diol + dioic acid, −H₂O diamine + dioic acid, −H₂O Aldehyde / ketone R–CHO · R–CO–R′ Hydroxynitrile R–CH(OH)–C≡N · racemic Carboxylic acid R–COOH Amino acid R–CO–NH–R′ Ester R–COO–R′ Acyl chloride R–COCl Amide Polyester –(O–R–O–CO–R′–CO)ₙ– hydrolysed back by acid or alkali Polyamide –(NH–R–NH–CO–R′–CO)ₙ– proteins are natural polyamides A2 POINTS THAT EARN MARKS Reactivity of derivatives: acyl chloride > ester > amide Directing groups: –OH, –NH₂, –CH₃ to 2‑ and 4‑; –NO₂, –COOH to 3‑. Oxidise the side chain before nitrating if you need the 3‑ isomer. Condensation polymers hydrolyse back.

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Written and reviewed by Fahad H. AhmadChemistry tutor at Mega Lecture · 10M+ lecture views · Book a free trial class

A2 Organic Synthesis Reaction Web — A Level Chemistry 9701 — Frequently Asked Questions

Which A2 conversions come up most often in synthesis questions?

Nitration of benzene followed by reduction to phenylamine, acyl chloride formation with SOCl₂, and nitrile hydrolysis or reduction. These three appear again and again because each one changes the functional group in a way nothing else can.

Do I need the AS reaction web as well?

Yes — most Paper 4 synthesis routes pass through AS chemistry on the way. The AS reaction web is linked below and the two are designed to be used side by side.

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