Exam board issues unprecedented statement about the inductive effect

English exam board AQA issued a statement about the inductive effect and its role in explanation in A-level chemistry, following research published in Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry. But what does this mean for A-level learners? And what about other post-16 curriculums? In this article teacher–fellow Kristy Turner explains the inductive effect, alkyl groups and the impact of this research for those teaching and learning organic chemistry post-16 in the UK and Ireland.