‘A’ LEVEL CHEMISTRY (9258) SYLLABUS

Topic	Content
Physical Chemistry
Atoms, Molecules and Stoichiometry	Relative masses of atoms and molecules Mole and Avogadro constant Calculation of empirical and molecular formulae Reacting masses and volumes of solutions and gases
Mass Spectrometry	Determination of relative atomic masses and relative molecular masses from mass spectra
Redox Chemistry	Redox processes: electron transfer and changes in oxidation number (oxidation state) Reacting masses and volumes of solutions
Atomic Structure	Nucleus of atom: neutrons and protons, isotopes, proton and nucleon numbers Electrons: electronic energy levels, ionisation energies, atomic orbitals and extranuclear structure
Gases and Liquids	Ideal gas behaviour and deviations from it Ideal gas equation and its use in determining relative molecular masses Kinetic concept of liquid state and simple kinetic-molecular descriptions of changes of states
Chemical Bonding	Ionic bonding Covalent bonding and co-ordinate (dative) bonding: shapes of simple molecules and bond energies, lengths and polarities Intermolecular forces including hydrogen bonds Metallic bonding Bonding and physical properties
Reaction Kinetics	Simple rate equations, orders of reaction and rate constants Effect of temperature on rate constants and concept of activation energy Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis
Chemical Equilibrium	Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium Equilibrium constants Factors affecting chemical equilibria
Ionic Equilibria	Bronsted-Lowry theory of acids and bases Acid and base dissociation constants and ionic product of water pH and choice of pH indicators Buffer solutions Solubility product and the common ion effect
Chemical Energetics	Enthalpy changes of formation, combustion, hydration, neutralisation, atomisation, bond energy, lattice energy and electron affinity Hess’ Law including Born-Haber cycles
Electrochemistry	Electrolysis: Faraday constant and factors affecting amount of substance formed as well as industrial uses Electrode potentials: Standard electrode (redox) potentials, standard cell potentials, batteries and fuel cells
Inorganic Chemistry
The Periodic Table	Periodicity of physical properties of elements in the third period: atomic radius and ionic radius, melting point, electrical conductivity and ionisation energy Periodicity of chemical properties of elements in the third period: reactivity of elements with oxygen, chlorine and water, variation in oxidation number of oxides and chlorides, reactions of oxides and chlorides with water as well as acid/base behaviour of oxides
Group II	Similarities and trends in the properties of Group II metals and their compounds Some uses of Group II metals and their compounds
Group VII	Similarities and trends in the properties of halogens and their compounds Some uses of halogens and their compounds
Transition Elements	General physical and characteristic chemical properties of the first set of transition elements Colour of complexes
Organic Chemistry
Introduction	Molecular, structural and empirical formulae Functional groups and nomenclature Characteristic organic reactions Shapes of organic molecules, s and p bonds Isomerism: structural, cis-trans and optical
Alkanes	Free-radical reactions Crude oil and cracking
Alkenes	Addition and oxidation reactions Industrial importance
Arenes	Influence of delocalised p electrons on structure and properties Substitution reactions with electrophiles Oxidation of side-chain
Halogeno Derivatives	Nucleophilic substitution, hydrolysis, formation of nitriles and primary amines as well as elimination Relative strength of carbon-halogen bond
Hydroxy Compounds	Alcohols: Formation of halogenoalkanes, reaction with sodium, oxidation, dehydration, esterification and acylation Phenol: Acidity and reaction with sodium, nitration and bromination of the aromatic ring
Carbonyl Compounds	Aldehydes: oxidation to carboxylic acid, reaction with hydrogen cyanide and characteristic tests Ketones: reaction with hydrogen cyanide and characteristic tests
Carboxylic Acids	Formation from primary alcohols and nitriles Salt, ester and acyl chloride formation
Carboxylic Acid Derivatives	Acyl chlorides: ease of hydrolysis compared with alkyl and aryl chlorides, reaction with alcohols, phenols and primary amines Esters: formation from carboxylic acids and acyl chlorides, hydrolysis (under acidic and basic conditions)
Nitrogen Compounds	Primary amines: their formation, salt formation and other reactions of phenylamine Amides: formation from acyl chlorides and hydrolysis Amino acids: acid/base properties and zwitterions formation Proteins: structure based on peptide linkage and hydrolysis
Polymerisation	Addition and condensation polymerisation
NMR Spectroscopy	Principles of NMR Spectroscopy Structural identification of organic compounds from NMR spectra
Option Topic
Environmental Chemistry	Atmospheric Chemistry Chemical structure of soil and processes involving soils and water Water cycle Waste management