Carboxylic acids and derivatives: AQA A‑Level Chemistry questions

Every AQA A-Level Chemistry exam question on 3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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Q03.4
June 2025 · Paper 2
4 marks3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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Q03.5
June 2025 · Paper 2
1 mark3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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Q03.6
June 2025 · Paper 2
3 marks3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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Q03.7
June 2025 · Paper 2
4 marks3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives 3.3.12 Polymers
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Q06.2
June 2025 · Paper 3
3 marks3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives 3.3.1 Introduction to organic chemistry
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Q06.3
June 2025 · Paper 3
2 marks3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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Q04.1
June 2024 · Paper 2
2 marks3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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Q04.2
June 2024 · Paper 2
6 marks3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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Q04.3
June 2024 · Paper 2
3 marks3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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Q04.4
June 2024 · Paper 2
1 mark3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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Q04.5
June 2024 · Paper 2
1 mark3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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Q05.1
June 2024 · Paper 2
2 marks3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives 3.3.3 Halogenoalkanes
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Q06.1
June 2024 · Paper 2
1 mark3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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Q01.1
June 2024 · Paper 3
2 marks3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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Q01.2
June 2024 · Paper 3
1 mark3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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Q01.3
June 2024 · Paper 3
1 mark3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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Q01.4
June 2024 · Paper 3
1 mark3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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Q01.5
June 2024 · Paper 3
1 mark3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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Q30
June 2024 · Paper 3
1 mark3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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Q03.1
June 2023 · Paper 2
4 marks3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives
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All 72 questions on Carboxylic acids and derivatives, as a list

June 2025, Paper 2, Q03.4 (4 marks): An incomplete equation for the reaction used to make DIBP is shown. Complete the equation. Give the name of the mechanism for this reaction. Deduce the empirica
June 2025, Paper 2, Q03.5 (1 mark): A different plasticiser, DEHA, is added to PVC used for food packaging. The structure of DEHA is Identify the organic compound that would react with hexanedioic
June 2025, Paper 2, Q03.6 (3 marks): DEHA can be absorbed into food from PVC packaging. In an investigation, 1 kg samples of three different foods are stored in PVC packaging for 30 days. Table 1 s
June 2025, Paper 2, Q03.7 (4 marks): The polymer nylon 6,6 can be made from hexanedioyl dichloride and hexane-1,6-diamine. Figure 2 shows an incomplete mechanism for the first steps in this reactio
June 2025, Paper 3, Q06.2 (3 marks): Q can be reacted with methanol to form three different esters. State the number used to identify the position of the C=C bond in the name of the ester formed fr
June 2025, Paper 3, Q06.3 (2 marks): Q also reacts with NaOH State the formula of the product, formed by Branch B in Figure 2, in this reaction. State a use for this product. [2 marks] Formula Use
June 2024, Paper 2, Q04.1 (2 marks): Ester F can be prepared from propan-2-ol and ethanoic acid. Give an equation for this reaction. Name ester F. [2 marks] Equation Name
June 2024, Paper 2, Q04.2 (6 marks): Describe how Step 1 should be done. In your description you should • give details of suitable equipment used to add each reagent to the reflux apparatus • draw
June 2024, Paper 2, Q04.3 (3 marks): In Step 2 the reaction mixture from Step 1 is shaken with aqueous sodium carbonate. State the purpose of the sodium carbonate. Suggest a precaution that should
June 2024, Paper 2, Q04.4 (1 mark): Give the reason for the use of anhydrous magnesium sulfate in Step 3. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 2, Q04.5 (1 mark): Suggest how the purity of the ester can be confirmed during the distillation in Step 4. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 2, Q05.1 (2 marks): Silver nitrate solution can be used to distinguish between propanoyl chloride and 1-chloropropane. Give the observations you would expect when a few drops of si
June 2024, Paper 2, Q06.1 (1 mark): Give an equation for the reaction of C4H9COOH with sodium hydrogencarbonate. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 3, Q01.1 (2 marks): Give the equation for the reaction of 2-hydroxybenzenecarboxylic acid with methanol. In your equation, include the skeletal formula of the organic product. [2 m
June 2024, Paper 3, Q01.2 (1 mark): Aspirin can also be produced by reacting 2-hydroxybenzenecarboxylic acid with ethanoyl chloride. State why ethanoic anhydride is preferred to ethanoyl chloride
June 2024, Paper 3, Q01.3 (1 mark): Give the name of the mechanism for the reaction of 2-hydroxybenzenecarboxylic acid with ethanoic anhydride. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 3, Q01.4 (1 mark): Suggest the role of the concentrated phosphoric acid. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 3, Q01.5 (1 mark): Suggest why reflux is not essential when the flask is heated to 85 °C for 10 minutes. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 3, Q30 (1 mark): Which compound is formed by the acid hydrolysis of phenyl benzenecarboxylate? [1 mark] A C6H5CH2OH B C6H5CHO C C6H5COCH3 D C6H5COOH
June 2023, Paper 2, Q03.1 (4 marks): Figure 3 shows an intermediate formed in the first step of a nucleophilic addition–elimination mechanism. Figure 3 Complete Figure 3 to show the structures of t
June 2023, Paper 2, Q08.1 (2 marks): Complete the equation for the hydrolysis of the triester in palm oil under acidic conditions. [2 marks]
June 2023, Paper 2, Q09.2 (3 marks): Figure 11 shows an incomplete suggested mechanism for the decomposition of ethanoic anhydride. Figure 11 Complete the mechanism in Figure 11 by adding three cur
June 2023, Paper 3, Q01.1 (1 mark): State the role of concentrated sulfuric acid in this reaction. [1 mark]
June 2023, Paper 3, Q01.2 (1 mark): The reaction mixture is flammable. Suggest how the reaction mixture should be heated in step 1. [1 mark]
June 2023, Paper 3, Q01.3 (4 marks): Figure 1 shows how a student set up the apparatus for reflux in step 1. You should assume that the apparatus is clamped correctly. Figure 1 Identify two mistake
June 2023, Paper 3, Q01.4 (2 marks): State why sodium carbonate is added to the distillate in step 4. Explain why there is a build-up of pressure in the separating funnel. [2 marks]
June 2023, Paper 3, Q01.5 (2 marks): Give a reason why two layers form in the separating funnel. Suggest why ethyl ethanoate forms the upper layer. [2 marks] Reason Suggestion
June 2023, Paper 3, Q01.6 (1 mark): State why anhydrous calcium chloride is added in step 6. [1 mark]
June 2023, Paper 3, Q01.8 (1 mark): Suggest a reason why the percentage yield is not 100%. [1 mark]
June 2022, Paper 2, Q07.1 (3 marks): Add three curly arrows to complete the mechanism in Figure 4. [3 marks]
June 2022, Paper 2, Q07.2 (1 mark): Name the type of reaction shown in Figure 4. [1 mark]
June 2022, Paper 2, Q07.3 (1 mark): Deduce the role of the CH3O− ion in step 3 shown in Figure 4. [1 mark]
June 2022, Paper 2, Q07.4 (1 mark): A triester in vegetable oil reacts with sodium hydroxide in a similar way. Give a use for a product of this reaction. [1 mark]
June 2022, Paper 2, Q10.2 (1 mark): Give the name of the mechanism for the reaction in step 3. [1 mark]
June 2022, Paper 3, Q25 (1 mark): Which compound is an isomer of ethyl ethanoate? [1 mark] A butyl methanoate B methyl propanoate C methyl butanoate D propanoic acid
June 2022, Paper 3, Q26 (1 mark): Which compound is an amide? [1 mark] A CH3CH2CH2CN B CH3CONHCH2CH3 C CH3COOCH2CH3 D CH3NHCH2CH2CH3
November 2021, Paper 2, Q01.1 (3 marks): Complete the equation by drawing the structure of the other product of this reaction in the box. Name the type of compound shown by the formula RCOOK Give one u
November 2021, Paper 2, Q01.2 (3 marks): The triester in coconut oil has a relative molecular mass, Mr = 638.0 In the equation shown at the start of Question 01, R represents an alkyl group that can be
November 2021, Paper 2, Q01.4 (3 marks): Suggest why aqueous ethanol is a suitable solvent when heating the coconut oil with KOH. Give a safety precaution used when heating the mixture. Justify your ch
November 2021, Paper 2, Q05.2 (1 mark): Deduce the structure of the diester in Question 05.1 [1 mark]
November 2021, Paper 2, Q08.3 (5 marks): Cyclohexane-1,2-diol reacts with ethanedioyl dichloride. Give the name of the mechanism for this reaction. Complete the mechanism to show the formation of one e
November 2021, Paper 3, Q06.6 (3 marks): State a simple chemical test that distinguishes the propanoic acid from the propan-1-ol. Give one observation for the test with each substance. [3 marks] Test P
November 2021, Paper 3, Q28 (1 mark): Which compound forms a white precipitate when added to aqueous silver nitrate? [1 mark] A bromoethane B ethanal C ethanoic anhydride D ethanoyl chloride
November 2021, Paper 3, Q31 (1 mark): Which compound reacts with warm dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide? [1 mark] A C6H6 B CH3CH=CH2 C CH3CH2CH2NH2 D (CH3CO)2O
November 2020, Paper 2, Q02.3 (3 marks): Prilocaine is completely hydrolysed in the human body to give a mixture of products. Draw the structures of the two organic products formed in the complete hydr
November 2020, Paper 2, Q03.3 (3 marks): Separate samples of each isomer are warmed with ethanoic acid and a few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid. In each case the mixture is then poured into a solu
November 2020, Paper 2, Q04.4 (1 mark): Complete the equation for the reaction of salicylic acid with ethanoic anhydride to produce aspirin. [1 mark]
November 2020, Paper 3, Q27 (1 mark): Which reaction involves addition-elimination? [1 mark] A (CH3)2CHBr + KOH → CH3CH=CH2 + KBr + H2O B CH3COCl + C6H5OH → CH3COOC6H5 + HCl C CH3CH=CH2 + Cl2 → CH3C
November 2020, Paper 3, Q35 (1 mark): Which compound is formed when phenyl benzenecarboxylate is hydrolysed under acidic conditions? [1 mark] A C6H5CH2OH B C6H5CHO C C6H5COCH3 D C6H5COOH
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q07.1 (1 mark): Draw the skeletal formula of ethanedioic acid. [1 mark]
June 2019, Paper 2, Q08.3 (2 marks): In theory, either ethanoyl chloride or ethanoic anhydride could be used in Step 3. Complete the mechanism for the reaction of 4-aminophenol with ethanoyl chlori
June 2019, Paper 2, Q08.4 (1 mark): In practice, ethanoic anhydride is used in the industrial synthesis rather than ethanoyl chloride. Give one reason why ethanoyl chloride is not used in the indu
June 2019, Paper 2, Q08.5 (1 mark): In Step 3 other aromatic products are formed as well as paracetamol. Draw the structure of one of these other aromatic products. [1 mark]
June 2019, Paper 2, Q08.6 (1 mark): Chemists have recently developed a two-step process to produce paracetamol from phenol. In the first step, phenol is oxidised to hydroquinone. In the second ste
June 2019, Paper 2, Q11.1 (3 marks): An ester is formed by the reaction of an acid anhydride with CH3CH2OH Complete the equation. In your answer show clearly the structure of the ester. Give the IU
June 2019, Paper 2, Q11.2 (2 marks): In a reaction to form biodiesel, one mole of a vegetable oil reacts with an excess of methanol to form two moles of an ester with molecular formula C19H34O2 and
June 2019, Paper 3, Q24 (1 mark): Which compound is formed by acid hydrolysis of phenylmethyl ethanoate? [1 mark] A C6H5CH2OH B C6H5CHO C C6H5COCH3 D C6H5COOH
June 2019, Paper 3, Q25 (1 mark): A student is required to dry a liquid sample of pentanoic acid. Which drying agent is suitable? [1 mark] A Calcium oxide B Calcium sulfate C Potassium hydroxide
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q07.1 (1 mark): Draw the skeletal formula of propanedioic acid. [1 mark]
June 2018, Paper 2, Q03.3 (2 marks): Describe how you would carry out a simple test-tube reaction to confirm that the sample of propanal obtained by distillation does not contain any propanoic acid
June 2018, Paper 2, Q07.3 (3 marks): The alcohol shown in Question 07.2 reacts with ethanoyl chloride to form an ester. Describe what would be observed when the alcohol reacts with ethanoyl chlorid
June 2017, Paper 2, Q05.1 (1 mark): Draw a structural formula for the diester C6H10O4 [1 mark
June 2017, Paper 2, Q06.4 (6 marks): An amide link is also formed when an acyl chloride reacts with a primary amine. Name and outline a mechanism for the reaction between CH3CH2COCl and CH3CH2NH2 G
June 2017, Paper 3, Q03.1 (1 mark): Suggest how the anti-bumping granules prevent bumping during reflux. [1 mark]
June 2017, Paper 3, Q03.3 (1 mark): Suggest why an excess of sodium hydroxide is used. [1 mark]
June 2017, Paper 3, Q03.4 (1 mark): Suggest why an electric heater is used rather than a Bunsen burner in this hydrolysis. [1 mark]
June 2017, Paper 3, Q03.5 (1 mark): State why reflux is used in this hydrolysis. [1 mark]
June 2017, Paper 3, Q03.6 (1 mark): Write an equation for the reaction between sodium benzoate and hydrochloric acid. [1 mark]
June 2017, Paper 3, Q03.7 (2 marks): Suggest why sodium benzoate is soluble in cold water but benzoic acid is insoluble in cold water. [2 marks] 11
Specimen, Paper 2, Q09.1 (5 marks): Name of mechanism Mechanism 3
Specimen, Paper 2, Q09.7 (1 mark): Suggest the type of reaction occurring in step 3. [1 mark] 0 9 . 7
Specimen, Paper 3, Q04.1 (6 marks): Ethanedioic acid is a weak acid. Ethanedioic acid acts, initially, as a monoprotic acid. 4 – Use the concept of electronegativity to justify why the acid streng

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