Introduction to Organic Chemistry (Edexcel A Level Chemistry): Exam Questions

This question is about alcohols and their reactions. The table gives some of the names and skeletal formulae of isomers having the formula C₄H₉OH.

Complete the table.

i) Some alcohols react with concentrated phosphoric acid to form alkenes. What is the type of this reaction?

(1)

ii) When butan‐2‐ol reacts with concentrated phosphoric acid, two stereoisomers are formed.

Explain what is meant by the term stereoisomers.

(2)

iii) Draw the structures and give the names of the two stereoisomers.

(2)

iv) Name this type of stereoisomerism.

(1)

2‐methylpropan‐2‐ol may be formed by the reaction between 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropane and aqueous potassium hydroxide. What is the role of the hydroxide ions in this reaction?

i) CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OH reacts with the oxidising agent potassium dichromate(VI) in dilute sulfuric acid.

Two organic products can be formed, depending on the conditions.

Write a balanced equation for the formation of one of these products, giving its name and the condition required to achieve this product in high yield.

Use [O] in the equation to represent each oxygen atom from the oxidising agent.

(3)

Equation

Name 

Condition 

ii) The colour of the solution at the end of the reaction in (d)(i) will be

(1)

This question is about organic compounds.

Organic compounds can be grouped together in homologous series.

i) Describe two characteristics of a homologous series.

(2)

ii) Name the homologous series to which propene belongs.

(1)

Propene can be converted into a mixture of 1-chloropropane and 2-chloropropane, in which 2-chloropropane is the major product.

i) Give the reagent required for this reaction.

(1)

ii) What is the type and mechanism of the reaction in (b)(i)?

(1)

1-chloropropane and 2-chloropropane can be converted into compounds containing the nitrile functional group.

i) Under appropriate conditions, 1-chloropropane can be converted into butanenitrile, CH₃CH₂CH₂CN.

Which is the reagent for this conversion?

(1)

ii) Under appropriate conditions, 2-chloropropane can be converted into a structural isomer of butanenitrile.

State what is meant by the term ‘structural isomer’.

(2)

iii) Give the displayed formula and systematic name of the isomer of butanenitrile formed in (c)(ii). You must show all the bonds.

(2)

Displayed formula

Name

What is the systematic name for tiglic acid?