3 x 1 hour lessons

This module revises the chemistry of alcohols, focusing on their industrial preparation, chemical properties, and key reactions including oxidation and elimination. You’ll examine how alcohols are used as fuels and intermediates, and practise recognising oxidation states and drawing correct organic products.

By the end of this module you will be able to:

• Describe methods of producing alcohols, including hydration of alkenes and fermentation

• Write balanced equations for oxidation reactions of primary and secondary alcohols using [O] notation

• Identify the conditions and products of alcohol oxidation and elimination reactions

• Distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols

• Use chemical tests (e.g. acidified potassium dichromate) to differentiate alcohol types

AQA Specification Points:

3.14 Alcohol production

3.15 Oxidation of alcohols

3.16 Elimination