Carboxylic acids and derivatives: past paper questions

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• Question 2May/June 2026, paper 41Structured11 marks

  Define $\text{pH}$ mathematically.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 41Structured12 marksHas a diagram

  State the relative acidities of bromoethanoic acid, ${\text{BrCH}}_2\text{COOH}$, chloroethanoic acid, ${\text{ClCH}}_2\text{COOH}$, ethanoic acid, ${\text{CH}}_3\text{COOH}$ and ethanol, ${\text{CH}}_3{\text{CH}}_2\text{OH}$.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 41Structured15 marksHas a diagram

  A reaction scheme is shown in Fig. 7.1. The reagents needed for reaction 2 and reaction 3 are stated. Reaction 5 takes place when ${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5{\mathrm{N}\mathrm{H}}_2$ is mixed with compound $\mathbf{V}$.

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2023, paper 41Structured13 marksHas a diagram

  Benzoyl chloride, ${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{l}$, can be made from ethyl benzene in a two-step process. A reaction scheme is shown. Draw the intermediate organic compound $\mathbf{M}$ in the box.

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• Question 8May/June 2026, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Secondary amine M can be made by the three-step synthesis shown in Figure 8.1. Write an equation for the reaction of ${\text{CH}}_3\text{COOH}$ with ${\text{SOCl}}_2$ in step 1.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 41Structured13 marksHas a diagram

  In the electrophilic substitution of arenes, different substituents can direct to different ring positions. Describe the directing effect of the $-{\text{NO}}_2$ group.

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2024, paper 42Structured12 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 6.1 shows two reactions of ethanedioic acid, HOOCCOOH. Draw the organic product G in the box in Fig. 6.1.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 42Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Benzene can be used to make benzoic acid in the two-step process shown in Fig. 7.1. Fig. 7.1 Give the reagents and conditions for step 1 and step 2.

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2023, paper 42Structured14 marksHas a diagram

  State the reactants and conditions for two different types of reactions that both produce diethylamine, $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_3\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{N}\mathrm{H}\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_3$.

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• Question 7May/June 2025, paper 41Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  A hydrocarbon is known to be either compound D or compound E. Give the systematic name of E.

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• Question 8May/June 2024, paper 42Structured16 marksHas a diagram

  State the relative basicities of phenylamine, ${\text{C}}_6{\text{H}}_5{\text{NH}}_2$, benzylamine, ${\text{C}}_6{\text{H}}_5{\text{CH}}_2{\text{NH}}_2$, and ammonia, ${\text{NH}}_3$, in aqueous solution.

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• Question 5May/June 2023, paper 42Structured14 marksHas a diagram

  Methylbenzene can undergo different reactions, as shown in Fig. 5.1. Draw structures in Fig. 5.1 for the possible organic products of the three reactions shown.

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• Question 10May/June 2025, paper 41Structured7 marks

  Propanoic acid, methanoic acid and ethanedioic acid are all weak acids. Draw the displayed formula of ethanedioic acid.

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• Question 9May/June 2024, paper 42Structured12 marksHas a diagram

  Explain why trichloroethanoic acid, ${\text{CCl}}_3\text{COOH}$, is more acidic than ethanoic acid, ${\text{CH}}_3\text{COOH}$.

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