Hydrocarbons: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• 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.

  Try this question
• Question 6Oct/Nov 2024, paper 41Structured14 marksHas a diagram

  Benzene, ${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_6$, reacts with chloroethane, ${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{C}\mathrm{l}$, in the presence of a suitable catalyst to form ethylbenzene, ${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_5{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5$.

  Try this question
• 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.

  Try this question
• Question 9Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured14 marksHas a diagram

  Compound X is made from benzene by the route shown in Fig. 9.1. Describe the bonding in benzene, ${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_6$.

  Try this question
• 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.

  Try this question
• 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.

  Try this question
• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 42Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Benzene reacts with chlorine gas to form chlorobenzene. This reaction can be described as the reaction between benzene molecules and ${\text{Cl}}^{+}$ ions. The ${\text{Cl}}^{+}$ ions are formed by adding a suitable catalyst to the chlorine gas.

  Try this question
• Question 4May/June 2023, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  State the hybridisation of the carbon atoms and the C–C–H bond angle in benzene, ${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_6$.

  Try this question
• Question 8May/June 2025, paper 41Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Bromine reacts with methylbenzene in the dark in the presence of a suitable catalyst to form $\mathrm{H}\mathrm{B}\mathrm{r}$ and compound L, ${\mathrm{C}}_7{\mathrm{H}}_7\mathrm{B}\mathrm{r}$. L is one of three isomers that can form in this reaction.

  Try this question
• 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.

  Try this question
• Question 6May/June 2025, paper 42Structured19 marksHas a diagram

  Methylbenzene reacts readily with nitronium ions, $\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{O}}_2^{+}$. $\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{O}}_2^{+}$ ions are generated by the reaction between concentrated nitric acid and concentrated sulfuric acid. Write an equation for the formation of the $\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{O}}_2^{+}$ ion.

  Try this question
• Question 6May/June 2024, paper 41Structured15 marksHas a diagram

  State what is meant by partition coefficient, $K_{\mathrm{p}\mathrm{c}}$.

  Try this question
• Question 7May/June 2023, paper 42Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Explain why phenol is brominated much more easily than benzene is brominated.

  Try this question
• Question 7May/June 2024, paper 42Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Methyl red can be synthesised as shown in Fig. 7.1. Give the systematic name of $\mathbf{P}$.

  Try this question
• Question 6May/June 2024, paper 43Structured15 marksHas a diagram

  State what is meant by partition coefficient, $K_{\mathrm{p}\mathrm{c}}$.

  Try this question
• Question 9May/June 2024, paper 43Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Samples of phenol, ${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}$, are reacted separately with sodium and with dilute nitric acid. Write the equation for the reaction of ${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}$ with Na.

  Try this question