Alcohols: past paper questions

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• Question 27May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The structure of an ether X is shown. The $\text{C}-\text{O}-\text{C}$ group is the functional group in the homologous series of ethers.

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• Question 33Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The balanced equation for the reaction of X with an excess of acidified ${\text{K}}_2{\text{Cr}}_2{\text{O}}_7$ is shown. $$\text{X}+3[\text{O}]\to \text{Y}+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}$$ Compound Y is the only organic product of the reaction. Which compound is X?

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• Question 34Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Compound Y reacts with alkaline ${\text{I}}_2(\text{aq})$. When the products of this reaction are acidified, a dicarboxylic acid is produced. The formula of the dicarboxylic acid is $\text{HOOC–R–COOH}$ where R consists of one or more ${\text{CH}}_2$ groups.

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• Question 33Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Alcohol X gives a yellow precipitate with alkaline ${\mathrm{I}}_2(\mathrm{a}\mathrm{q})$. What is the structure of X?

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• Question 28May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  This question is about the conversion of but-2-ene to butanone. What are the correct steps to carry out this conversion?

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• Question 39Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Some properties of compound X are listed. ● $1.0\text{ mol}$ X reacts with exactly $8.5\text{ mol}$ oxygen when completely combusted. ● X does not react when heated with acidified ${\text{KMnO}}_4$.

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• Question 35Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which alcohol gives only one possible oxidation product when warmed with dilute acidified potassium dichromate(VI)?

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• Question 34Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  When ethanol reacts with sodium metal, ethoxide ions, ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{C}\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{O}}^{-}$, are produced. When water reacts with sodium metal, ${\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}}^{-}$ ions are produced. Which statement about these reactions and the ethoxide ion is correct?

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• Question 34May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The structural formulas of four isomers of ${\text{C}}_5{\text{H}}_{10}\text{O}$ are listed.

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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 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 35Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Menthol is a naturally occurring alcohol. When menthol is heated with concentrated sulfuric acid it reacts. The products formed include compound T. What is the structure of compound T?

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• Question 33Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  ${\text{HOCH}}_2\text{CHO}$ is heated under reflux with an excess of acidified ${\text{K}}_2{\text{Cr}}_2{\text{O}}_7$ until there is no further reaction. What is the final product of this reaction?

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• Question 29Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The diagram shows a synthetic route to produce 1-methylcyclohexanol. What is reagent Y?

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• Question 31May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which reaction has ethanol as the major organic product?

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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 32Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  What are the only structures formed when butan-2-ol is heated with concentrated ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{S}\mathrm{O}}_4$?

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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 32May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Methylpropene reacts with steam in the presence of an ${\text{H}}_3{\text{PO}}_4$ catalyst. The major product of this reaction is then heated with an excess of acidified ${\text{KMnO}}_4$. If the mixture is distilled after heating, which organic compound will be collected?

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• Question 33Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The compound 'leaf alcohol' is partly responsible for the smell of new-mown grass.

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• Question 34Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which alcohol reacts with alkaline ${\text{I}}_2\text{(aq)}$ to produce ethanoate ions?

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• Question 38May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Compound X, ${\text{CH}}_3{\text{CH(OH)CH(CHO)CH}}_3$, is heated under reflux with an excess of acidified ${\text{K}}_2{\text{Cr}}_2{\text{O}}_7$ to form compound Y. Both X and Y are separately warmed with Fehling’s reagent and the observations noted. What are the observations?

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• Question 34Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Compound Y reacts with alkaline ${\mathrm{I}}_2(\mathrm{a}\mathrm{q})$. When the products of this reaction are acidified, a dicarboxylic acid is produced. The formula of the dicarboxylic acid is $\mathrm{H}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{R}-\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}$ where R consists of one or more ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{H}}_2$ groups.

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• Question 35Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Heating compound X, ${\text{C}}_7{\text{H}}_{14}{\text{O}}_2$, under reflux with an excess of acidified potassium dichromate(VI) produces compound Y. Compound Y produces hydrogen gas with sodium metal and forms orange crystals with 2,4-DNPH reagent. What could X be?

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• Question 31May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Compound Q with molecular formula ${\text{C}}_4{\text{H}}_{10}\text{O}$ gives compound R with molecular formula ${\text{C}}_4{\text{H}}_8\text{O}$ upon oxidation. R gives a yellow precipitate with alkaline ${\text{I}}_2\text{(aq)}$. What is Q?

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• Question 26May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Complete combustion of compound T produces carbon dioxide and water only.

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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 28May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  An organic compound J reacts with an excess of sodium to produce an organic ion with a charge of –3. J reacts with an excess of $\text{NaOH}(\text{aq})$ to produce an organic ion with a charge of –1. What is the structural formula of J?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Structured15 marksHas a diagram

  Oxygen is a Group 16 element. Write equations for the following reactions.

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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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