Characteristic organic reactions: past paper questions

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• Question 32May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which organic reaction has a nucleophilic substitution mechanism?

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• Question 29May/June 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Ethanal reacts with KCN dissolved in liquid HCN. This reaction involves the formation of an intermediate. Which statement is correct?

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• Question 25Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Ethene reacts with steam in the presence of sulfuric acid. $${\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_4+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}\to {\text{CH}}_3{\text{CH}}_2\text{OH}$$ Which type of reaction is this?

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• Question 30Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The structure of compound X is shown. One mole of compound X reacts completely with two moles of hydrogen bromide. What is the structure of the major product of this reaction?

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• Question 26May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The first propagation step in the reaction between methane and chlorine is shown. $${\text{CH}}_4+{\text{Cl}}^{\bullet }\to {\text{CH}}_3^{\bullet }+\text{HCl}$$ How many different first propagation steps are possible in the reaction between pentane and chlorine?

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• Question 33May/June 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  An amine is produced in the following reaction. $${\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_5\text{I}+2{\text{NH}}_3\to {\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_5{\text{NH}}_2+{\text{NH}}_4\text{I}$$ What is the mechanism?

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• Question 28Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What is true of every nucleophile?

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• Question 36Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which reaction takes place by a nucleophilic addition mechanism?

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• Question 33May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Two reactions are described. 1 1-bromopropane with ammonia 2 propanal with hydrogen cyanide Which of these reactions has a nucleophilic mechanism?

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• Question 36May/June 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Two steps in the free-radical substitution reaction between methane and chlorine are shown.

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• Question 35Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which compound can undergo nucleophilic addition?

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• Question 31Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  1,1-dichloropropane reacts with aqueous sodium hydroxide in a series of steps to give propanal.

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• Question 2May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which species is a free radical?

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• Question 4May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  In which pairs are both species free radicals?

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• Question 35May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The mechanism for the reaction between ethanal and hydrogen cyanide starts with the step shown. What is the correct structure of the intermediate ion formed, and what is the next step in this mechanism?

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• Question 28May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Aqueous NaOH reacts with 1-bromopropane to give propan-1-ol.

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• Question 30May/June 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which type of reaction happens during the hydrolysis of 2-bromopropane?

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• Question 29May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  In which reaction is the organic compound oxidised?

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