Organic Synthesis Routes

This lesson brings together the functional group chemistry covered throughout A-Level organic chemistry and applies it to the design of multi-step synthetic routes. You will learn how to plan conversions between functional groups, select appropriate reagents and conditions, calculate atom economy and percentage yield, and apply practical techniques such as reflux, distillation, and recrystallisation. Green chemistry principles are also introduced. This material is essential for the synoptic questions that appear at A-Level and for the Required Practical assessments.

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Functional Group Interconversions — The Synthesis Map

At A-Level, you must be able to convert between the major functional groups using the correct reagents and conditions. The table below summarises the key transformations: