CAIE A-Level Chemistry A2 33 Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives Questions

Practise acid-strength explanations, oxidation tests and interconversions of acids, acyl chlorides and derivatives, selecting reagents, conditions and mechanisms for each route.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Chemistry 9701
Level
A2

Question 1

[Maximum number: 3]

Question (a)

(a)

Benzophenone can be synthesised from benzoic acid in two steps as shown.

In step 1 compound J, a reactive reaction intermediate, is formed.
Compound J then reacts with an organic compound, K, to form benzophenone.

benzoic acid

benzoic acid

[ 1 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Suggest reagents and conditions for step 1.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Benzophenone can also be synthesised in two steps from bromomethylbenzene.

Figure for Question (b) — CAIE A-Level Chemistry A2
[ 2 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Name the mechanism of step 3 and suggest reagents and conditions for step 3 .
mechanism of step 3
reagents and conditions

[ 2 ]

Question 2

[Maximum number: 1]

P can be used to make compound Q in a single step reaction.

Figure for Question 2 — CAIE A-Level Chemistry A2

Give the structural formula of the compound that is added to P to make Q and give the formula of the other product of this reaction.
compound added to P
other product

Question 3

[Maximum number: 3]

Benzene can be used to make benzoic acid in the two-step process shown in Fig. 7.1.

Fig. 7.1

Fig. 7.1

When treated with a chlorine-containing reagent under suitable conditions, benzoic acid forms compound L.

When treated with a different chlorine-containing reagent under different conditions, benzoic acid forms compound M.

Suggest and draw structures of compounds L and M in the boxes. The molecular formula of each product is given.

Table for Question 3 — CAIE A-Level Chemistry A2

State the reagents and conditions to form compound M from benzoic acid.

Question 4

[Maximum number: 6]

Fig. 6.1 shows two reactions of ethanedioic acid, HOOCCOOH .

Fig. 6.1

Fig. 6.1

Question (a)

(a)

Draw the organic product G in the box in Fig. 6.1.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

In Fig. 6.1, SOCl2\mathrm{SOCl}_{2} is given as the reagent that reacts with HOOCCOOH to produce G.

Identify a different reagent that also reacts with HOOCCOOH to produce G.

[ 1 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Identify two different reagents that oxidise HOOCCOOH to form carbon dioxide and water.

[ 2 ]

Question (d)

(d)

HOOCCOOH ionises as shown.

HOOCCOOHHOOCCOO+H+\mathrm{HOOCCOOH} \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{HOOCCOO}^{-}+\mathrm{H}^{+}

HOOCCOOH is a much stronger acid than methanoic acid, HCOOH .

Suggest an explanation for this difference in acidity.

[ 2 ]
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