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Organic Chemistry · Part 1 of 3
24 exam-style questions with model answers, plus 32 quick multi-choice questions — every question on this part of the standard, grouped by the 8 pages of notes they come from.
Write a full answer before you reveal the model one. That comparison is where the learning happens.
Name the family and state the functional group present in CH3CH2COOH.
Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) and ethanoic acid (CH3COOH) both contain an –OH group, but they belong to different families. Explain the difference in their structures and why it matters.
A compound with molecular formula C3H6O2 fizzes when solid sodium carbonate is added to it. A second compound, also C3H6O, decolourises bromine water. Identify the family of each compound, justify your choice using the observation, and give a possible structure for each.
State the general formula of an alkene and use it to give the molecular formula of heptene.
Explain why an alkene with n carbon atoms has two fewer hydrogen atoms than the alkane with the same number of carbons.
Two hydrocarbons X and Y each contain five carbon atoms. X does not react with bromine water; Y decolourises it. Compare the two compounds in terms of their bonding, molecular formulae and reactivity, and explain fully why they behave differently.
Give the molecular formula of the compound with condensed formula CH3CH2CH2OH.
Explain why the molecular formula C3H8O is not enough to identify a single compound, and use structural formulae to support your answer.
A student draws a structure for 2-methylbutan-2-ol in which the carbon carrying the –OH group has bonds to two CH3 groups, one CH2CH3 group, the –OH group and one hydrogen atom. Evaluate the student's structure, explain the error, and give the correct structural formula.
Give the IUPAC name of CH3CH2CH2CH2OH.
Give the IUPAC name of CH3CHBrCH2CH3 and explain how you chose the numbering.
A student names the compound (CH3)2CHCH2CH2OH as '2-methylbutan-4-ol'. Identify every error in this name, justify each correction, and give the correct IUPAC name.
Classify CH3CH(OH)CH3 as a primary, secondary or tertiary alcohol, and explain how you decided.
Explain why 2-methylpropan-2-ol cannot be oxidised, referring to its structure.
Three separate bottles contain butan-1-ol, butan-2-ol and 2-methylpropan-2-ol, all with the formula C4H10O. Describe how acidified permanganate could be used to distinguish all three, and justify your answer by referring to the classification and products of each.
Define the term 'constitutional isomers' and state the molecular formula shared by butane and 2-methylpropane.
Propan-1-ol and propan-2-ol are constitutional isomers. Explain what makes them isomers and why they give different products when oxidised.
A student claims there are five constitutional isomers of C5H12. Evaluate this claim, giving the correct number, the name of each isomer, and an explanation of the error the student is most likely to have made.
State the two conditions a molecule must meet to show geometric (cis/trans) isomerism.
Explain why cis- and trans-but-2-ene are able to exist as two separate compounds.
There are three alkenes with the molecular formula C4H8 that have an unbranched or branched chain. Identify them, determine which show geometric isomerism, and explain why the others do not. State the total number of distinct compounds with this formula.
State how the boiling point of an alkane changes as the number of carbon atoms in the chain increases.
State and explain how the boiling point and water solubility of propan-1-ol compare with those of octan-1-ol.
Compare the water solubility of ethane, ethanol and ethanoic acid, and explain the pattern in terms of chain length and functional group. Then explain why butane and propan-1-ol have similar molar masses but very different boiling points.