Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2014

Last exams 2024

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Synthetic Routes (DP IB Chemistry: HL)

Exam Questions

2 hours28 questions
1a3 marks

Propan-1-ol can be synthesised from alkene P in the following synthetic route:

       alkene P rightwards arrow with Step space 1 on top halogenoalkane Q rightwards arrow with Step space 2 on top propan-1-ol

i)
State the identity of halogenoalkane Q.

[1]

ii)
Give the reagents and conditions needed for Step 2.

[2]

1b2 marks

Give the name and structure of alkene P.

1c3 marks

Give a reagent that could be used to convert P to Q and outline why this synthesis of propan-1-ol might not be very efficient.

1d4 marks

This question is about alkene P and Step 1.

i)
Give the empirical formula of P.

[1]

ii)
Give the reagents and conditions needed for Step 1.

[2]

iii)
State the type of reaction mechanism.

[1]

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2a3 marks

A three step synthesis of benzyl propanoate is shown below:

C8Ask_eV_3-1
i)
Give the reagents and conditions needed for Step 1.

[2]

ii)
Name the type of reaction mechanism taking place in Step 1.

[1]

2b3 marks

This question is about Step 2.

i)
Give the reagents and conditions needed for Step 2.

[2]

ii)
Name the type of mechanism taking place.

[1]

2c3 marks

This question is about Step 3.

i)
Give the reagents and conditions needed.

[2]

ii)
Name the type of reaction taking place.

[1]

2d1 mark

State the molecular formula of benzyl propanoate.

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3a3 marks

The synthesis of 3-aminstyrene is shown below:

4-1

i)
Give the reagent needed in Step 1.

[1]

ii)
State the name of the functional groups in Compound B.

[2]

3b2 marks

This question is about Step 2.

i)
Give the reagent needed.

[1]

ii)
Name the type of reaction taking place.

[1]

3c2 marks

Step 3 is a dehydration reaction. Outline a chemical test that could distinguish between Compound C and the product of Step 3, Compound D.

3d3 marks

This question is about Step 4.

i)
State the name of the reagent(s) and conditions needed in Step 4.

[2]

ii)
Identify the type of reaction taking place.

[1]

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4a2 marks

This question is about the synthesis of an ester.

2-3

Identify the class of compound produced in Steps 1 and 2.

4b3 marks

This question is about Step 1.

i)
Give the reagent(s) and conditions needed to carry out Step 1.

[2]

ii)
Identify the type of reaction taking place.

[1]

4c2 marks

This question is about Step 2.

i)
Give the reagent(s) needed to carry out Step 2.

[1]

ii)
Identify the type of reaction taking place.

[1]

4d3 marks

Give the names of A and B and write the equation for the reaction in Step 3.

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1a4 marks

An organic reaction sequence is shown below.

q1a_20-2_ib_hl_medium_sq

  

State the IUPAC names of the four substances in the sequence.

1b6 marks

Classify the reactions in (a) and give the names of the reagents in each step.

1c1 mark

Give the reaction conditions for step 3 in (a)

1d1 mark

Draw a displayed formula of an isomer of C4H10O that gives two signals in an 1H NMR spectrum.

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2a3 marks

The following reaction pathway is used to produce Compounds A and B, which when reacted together, form a branched ester molecule, Compound C

Suggest suitable reagents and conditions for the synthesis of Compound A via Step 1 and give the name for this type of reaction.

q2a_20-2_ib_hl_medium_sq

2b4 marks

In order for the ester to be produced, the ketone in part (a) must be converted to another compound, B.

 

i)
Name and draw the structure of the molecule that is produced from Step 2.

 

ii)
Give the name of the type of reaction that is involved in Step 2 and suggest suitable reagents and conditions for the process.
2c6 marks

Outline how ethanol can be synthesised from ethane in two steps. State the reaction conditions and reagents and name the type of reaction taking place.

2d3 marks

The four step synthesis to form propan-1-ol from a ketone is outlined below.

q2d_20-2_ib_hl_medium_sq

  

i)
Give the names of four possible substances A to D
 
ii)
Give the reagents and conditions for Step 4.

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3a2 marks

Propanal is a versatile organic building block used in the synthesis of plastics and rubber chemicals.

Propanal can be produced from propanoic acid in the following two-step reaction. 

 

Step 1

 

Step 2

 

Propanoic acid

q3a_20-2_ib_hl_medium_sq

Propan-1-ol

q3a1_20-2_ib_hl_medium_sq

Propanal

State the reaction type, including suitable reagents, for Steps 1 and 2.

 

3b1 mark

Suggest why it is not possible to convert propanoic acid directly to propanal using the reagent you identified for Step 1 in (a).

3c1 mark

Explain why Step 2, in (a), is completed by distillation.

3d2 marks

Identify, explain your reasoning, which of the three organic compounds, from the reaction scheme in (a), would be distilled first.

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4a3 marks

State four factors that should be considered when designing a reaction scheme for the synthesis of a target molecule in industry.

4b2 marks

1-(3-Aminophenyl)ethanol can be synthesised according to the following three-step reaction scheme.

q4b_20-2_ib_hl_medium_sq

 

Step 1 involves a reaction at position 3 of the benzene ring of 1-phenylethan-1-one. 
 

State the reaction type, including suitable reagents, for Step 1.

4c1 mark

State a suitable reagent for Step 2, in (b).

4d2 marks

In Step 3 of the reaction scheme from (b), compound C is heated with hydrochloric acid in the presence of a tin catalyst to form the final product, 1-(3-aminophenyl)ethanol. 

Explain why Step 3 is a reduction reaction.

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5a2 marks

Suggest a reaction scheme, using displayed formulae, that could be used to prepare a sample of propyl propanoate. 

Conditions and reagents are not required.

5b2 marks

One of the intermediates in the reaction scheme, from (a), has a molecular mass of 74.09 g mol-1.
 

i)
State suitable reagents and conditions required to form this intermediate. 

ii)
Describe how you could test that this intermediate has been formed.
5c2 marks

Propanal and the intermediate (Mr = 74.09) in the reaction scheme, from (a), are to be separated by distillation.

Explain which chemical will distil first.

5d2 marks

One of the intermediates in the reaction scheme, from (a), has a molecular mass of 60.09 g mol-1. 

i)
State suitable reagents and conditions required to form this intermediate. 

ii)
Using Section 26 of the Data Booklet, describe how you could prove that this intermediate has been formed without reversing the reaction.

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1a2 marks

A student is asked to prepare a sample of propyl propanoate using propanal.

Suggest a reaction scheme, using displayed formulae, that the student could use to prepare their sample of propyl propanoate.

Conditions and reagents are not required.

1b1 mark

Use your answer from part (a) to help answer this question.

One of the intermediates in the reaction scheme, from part (a), has a molecular mass of 74.0 g mol-1.

Give the reagents and conditions required to form this intermediate.

1c2 marks

Propanal and the other intermediate (Mr = 60.0) in the reaction scheme, from part (a), are to be separated by distillation.

Explain which chemical will distil first.

1d4 marks

Use your answer from part (a) to help answer this question.

Consider the intermediate in the reaction scheme, from part(a), which has a molecular mass of 60.0 g mol-1.

i)
Give the reagents and conditions required to form this intermediate.

[3]

ii)
Describe how you could prove that this intermediate has been formed without reversing the reaction using section 26 of the data booklet.

[1]

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2a2 marks

The following three step synthesis route was carried out:

rightwards arrow with straight i right parenthesis space straight H subscript 2 SO subscript 4 space ii right parenthesis space straight H subscript 2 straight O on top  B rightwards arrow with straight K subscript 2 Cr subscript 2 straight O subscript 7 space plus space straight H subscript 2 SO subscript 4 on top  rightwards arrow with straight H subscript 2 SO subscript 4 on top

Reactant A is a hydrocarbon containing 85.71% carbon and shows 4 peaks in a 1H NMR spectrum. Deduce the identity of A.

2b
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2 marks

Intermediate B shows a fragment at m/z 43 in the mass spectrum and has a molecular ion at m/z 74.

Deduce the identity of B, giving a reason.

2c2 marks

The question is about intermediate C in the synthesis.

i)
Suggest an identity for intermediate C.

[1]

ii)
State the reaction conditions for the conversion of B to C.
[1]
2d2 marks

Deduce the identify of the reaction product, D, and give one piece of spectral data that would support your answer.

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3a2 marks

Benzene and cyclohexene are two hydrocarbons that are able to react with bromine. State the type of reactions in each case.

3b2 marks

Benzene can be converted into nitrobenzene in a one step reaction. State the names of the reagents needed for the reaction and the formula of the electrophile in the reaction.

3c4 marks

Outline the mechanism of the reaction between benzene and the electrophile in part c)

3d3 marks

Aniline is useful precursor for making synthetic dyes. It can be made from nitrobenzene in a two step synthesis. Give the reagents and conditions for the reaction.

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4a2 marks

For the reaction profile outlined in the reaction profile below, state the mechanism or type of reaction for steps 1 and 2. 

Propane rightwards arrow with Step space 1 on top 1-bromopropane begin mathsize 14px style rightwards arrow with Step space 2 on top end style Compound X rightwards arrow with Step space 3 on top Propanal 

Step 1 ...............................................................


Step 2 ...............................................................

 
4b3 marks

Outline the mechanism for step 2.

4c3 marks

Compound X can be oxidised by the reaction with acidified potassium dichromate to give propanal. Compound X will oxidise to propanoic acid if allowed to fully oxidise. Explain how full oxidation can be prevented. 

4d4 marks

State the following for step 1.

Reagents and conditions ..........................................

Mechanism ..........................................

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