Introduction

In Organic Chemical Pathways, we will investigate synthetic organic chemistry and some important aspects of biochemistry. Knowledge of the homologous series of the alkanes gained from Unit 1 studies will enable us to branch out into the different functional groups and their chemical properties. The reaction pathways by
which one organic molecule can be synthesised from another will be considered in detail. The structure and function of proteins and their use as disease markers is an important aspect of our study of biochemistry, as is the structure and bonding of DNA and its applications in forensic science.

Both areas of study in this Unit involve the design and performance of experiments, including the generation, collection and evaluation of experimental data.

What do I need to know? 

Refer to the course description and knowledge outcomes that need to be met, as listed below. This information is provided by the VCAA in the Course guidelines. 

What are the assessment tasks for this Area of Study?

The outcome for this Area of Study is to “identify and explain the role of functional groups in organic reactions and construct reaction pathways using organic molecules”.

School-assessed coursework will consist of three tasks across the unit: an extended experimental investigation worth 50% of the marks available,a written report on one practical activity from the other Area of study (25%) and another task such as the analysis of data using structured questions (25%). The extended experimental investigation will involve
• between three and five hours of practical work, conducted in pairs or small groups;
• preparation of a risk assessment and management sheet;
• each individual presenting his/her own report on the task in a format to be decided by your teacher.

The EEI will most likely be performed in the first Area of Study (Analytical Chemistry) and so the other two tasks will apply here.

Practice tests / Revision sheets

This is a quite new part of the course and so I have limited material available at present. The most relevant practice tests in the old Food Chemistry Area of Study available for student use are: Food Chemistry

Course description and outcomes

Outcome 2: Key knowledge 

On completion of this Unit the student should be able to identify and explain hte role of functional groups in organic reactions and construct reaction pathways using organic molecules.

To achieve this outcome the student should demonstrate knowledge of:

• structure and systematic nomenclature of alkanes, alkenes, amines, chloroalkanes, alkanols and carboxylic acids up to C10
• common reactions of organic compounds: addition reactions of alkenes, substitution reactions of alkanes and primary chloroalkanes, oxidation of primary alcohols, esterification
• the chloro, hydroxy and carboxyl functional groups; systematic names of compounds containing these functional groups (straight chain compounds up to C₁₀); structural isomers of compounds containing one chloro, hydroxy or carboxyl functional group (up to four carbon compounds); substitution reactions; the laboratory preparation of ethanoic acid from ethane; the reaction between ethanol and ethanoic acid to form ethyl ethanoate; the general reaction for the formation of an ester; condensation polymerisation to form polyesters
• principles of fractional distillation
• organic reaction pathways including the production of esters from alkenes, condenstaion and polymerisation reactions that produce large biomolecules
• general structure of 2-amino acids (also known as a-amino acids) and their condensation reaction to form proteins (the reactions should be presented in terms of appropriate functional groups)
• importance of molecular shape (as determined by primary, secondary and tertiary structures) in determining the function of proteins; denaturation of proteins by heat and changing pH
• the function of enzymes as catalysts in biochemical reactions
• biochemical fuels including fermentation of sugars to produce ethanol
• the structure and bonding of DNA and its applications in forensic analysis
• use of proteins as markers for disease
• function of organic molecules in the design and synthesis of medicines including the production of aspirin from salicylic acid