Carboxylic acids and derivatives: past paper questions

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• Question 35May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which reaction has ethanoic acid as one of the products?

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• Question 15Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The reversible reaction between methanol and ethanoic acid liquids is catalysed by adding a small volume of concentrated sulfuric acid. Two statements about this reaction are listed. 1 The sulfuric acid is a homogeneous catalyst.

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• Question 26Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Compound Z has the molecular formula ${\text{C}}_4{\text{H}}_8{\text{O}}_2$. Compound Z reacts with propan-1-ol in the presence of concentrated ${\text{H}}_2{\text{SO}}_4$.

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The structure of compound X is shown. What is produced when X is heated with $\mathrm{N}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}(\mathrm{a}\mathrm{q})$?

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• Question 36May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Primary alcohols are produced from carboxylic acids. $$\text{RCOOH}+4[\text{H}]\to {\text{RCH}}_2\text{OH}+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}$$ Which statement about this reaction is correct?

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• Question 34Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Three mixtures are heated under reflux. Which mixtures will produce sodium propanoate as one product?

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  $({\text{CH}}_3{)}_3\text{CCN}$ reacts to form alcohol Y via the reaction sequence shown.

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• Question 33Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Propanoic acid can be used to make propene by a two-stage synthesis. Which row shows suitable reagents for this synthesis?

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• Question 37May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Three equations are shown.

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• Question 35Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which compound is a product of the hydrolysis of ${\text{CH}}_3{\text{CO}}_2{\text{CH}}_2{\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_5$ using aqueous sodium hydroxide?

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• Question 36Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  ${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5{\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{H}}_3$ is reacted with aqueous acid. The products from this reaction are reacted with ${\mathrm{L}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{A}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{H}}_4$ to form two molecules Y and Z. What are the identities of molecules Y and Z?

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• Question 37Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Three equations are shown.

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• Question 34May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Two reactions are described. 1 Ethanoic acid reacts with methanol. 2 Ethanoic acid reacts with sodium carbonate.

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• Question 37Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The table shows the reagents and products of three reactions.

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• Question 37Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A sample of propanoic acid of mass $3.70\text{ g}$ reacts with an excess of magnesium. A second sample of propanoic acid of mass $3.70\text{ g}$ reacts with an excess of sodium. Both reactions go to completion forming a gas.

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  How many esters with the molecular formula ${\text{C}}_5{\text{H}}_{10}{\text{O}}_2$ can be made by reacting a primary alcohol with a carboxylic acid?

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• Question 35May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Compound Z has the structural formula ${\text{CH}}_3{\text{CO}}_2{\text{CH}}_2{\text{CH}}_2{\text{CO}}_2\text{H}$. What is produced when compound Z is heated for 30 minutes with an excess of aqueous sodium hydroxide?

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• Question 32Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which reaction mixture produces a primary alcohol as the major product?

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{C}=\mathrm{C}(\mathrm{C}\mathrm{H}}_3){\mathrm{C}\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_2{\mathrm{C}\mathrm{H}}_3$ is correct?

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• Question 39Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows an ester. It is heated under reflux with an excess of $\text{NaOH(aq)}$. Which row shows the 2 products of the reaction?

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• Question 32May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Propanoic acid is used to make propene in two steps. What are the reagents for step 1 and step 2?

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• Question 36Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which organic starting material could be used in a single reaction to produce propanoic acid?

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• Question 35May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Compound Y has the molecular formula ${\text{C}}_4{\text{H}}_6{\text{O}}_2$ and reacts with $\text{Na}$ but not with ${\text{Na}}_2{\text{CO}}_3$. On warming Y with Fehling’s reagent, followed by acidification, the organic product reacts with both $\text{Na}$ and ${\text{Na}}_2{\text{CO}}_3$.

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• Question 37Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  In four separate reactions, W, X, Y and Z, $1\text{ mol}$ of an organic compound reacts with an excess of a reagent.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 23Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Barium hydroxide, $\mathrm{B}\mathrm{a}(\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}{)}_2$, is a strong base used in inorganic and organic reactions. Fig. 2.1 shows a reaction scheme involving $\mathrm{B}\mathrm{a}(\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}{)}_2$. State the variation in solubilities of group 2 hydroxides.

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• Question 36May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which pair of substances could react to give the ester ${\text{CH}}_3{\text{CH}}_2{\text{CO}}_2{\text{CH}}_3$?

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• Question 37May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  P is a carboxylic acid with molecular formula ${\text{C}}_5{\text{H}}_{10}{\text{O}}_2$.

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• Question 36May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which method could produce butanoic acid?

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• Question 4May/June 2026, paper 21Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Compound Z is oxidised to produce organic compound W, ${\mathrm{C}}_5{\mathrm{H}}_6{\mathrm{O}}_7$, by heating under reflux with an excess of acidified ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{r}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_7^{2-}(\mathrm{a}\mathrm{q})$. Describe the colour change in this reaction.

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• Question 38May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Compound X is treated with an excess of dilute aqueous potassium hydroxide. What is the structure of the organic product?

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