plumiAlcohols: Edexcel A‑Level Chemistry questions
Every Edexcel A-Level Chemistry exam question on 6E Alcohols, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Q6(a)
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Q6(b)(ii)
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Q6(c)
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Q6(e)
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Q8(d)(i)
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Q7(b)
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Q3(d)(i)
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Q3(d)(ii)
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Q5(a)(i)
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Q5(a)(iii)
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Q5(b)
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Q5(c)(i)
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Q5(c)(ii)
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Q5(c)(iii)
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Q2(b)
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Q2(c)
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Q2(e)
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Q3(a)
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Q3(b)
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Q3(d)(i)
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All 75 questions on Alcohols, as a list
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q6(a) (1 mark): Which is the equation for the reaction of butan‑1‑ol with phosphorus(V) chloride? (1) A C4H9OH + PCl5 → C4H9Cl + POCl3 + HCl B C4H9OH + PCl5 → C4H9Cl + PO + HCl
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (6 marks): Describe, in detail, the steps in the procedure to make pure, dry butanone from butan‑2‑ol. For each step, include the names of the pieces of equipment needed.
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q6(c) (1 mark): Butan‑2‑ol reacts with a mixture of 50 % concentrated sulfuric acid and potassium bromide. Draw the skeletal formula of the organic compound formed in this reac
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q6(e) (2 marks): The organic product formed when butan‑1‑ol is partially oxidised is isomeric with the butanone synthesised in (b). Give the structural and molecular formulae of
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q8(d)(i) (1 mark): Sodium ethoxide, C2H5ONa, needed in Step 1, is formed by the reaction of sodium with ethanol. Write the equation for this reaction. State symbols are not requir
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q7(b) (5 marks): Devise a reaction scheme for Step 2 and Step 3 of the synthesis. Include in your answer all reagents and conditions, the type of reaction in each step, and the
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q3(d)(i) (1 mark): Which is the skeletal structure of this alcohol? (1) A B HO HO C D HO HO
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q3(d)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why tertiary alcohols resist oxidation, but primary or secondary alcohols are readily oxidised. (2)
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q5(a)(i) (2 marks): In Steps 1 and 2 of the procedure, an ice‑water bath and a condenser are used. The ice helps to prevent side reacti
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q5(a)(iii) (2 marks): Identify, by name or formula, one of the unwanted inorganic products and one of the organic products resulting fr
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q5(b) (3 marks): Describe how the apparatus is rearranged for distillation, including the name of any additional apparatus required.
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q5(c)(i) (1 mark): The method of separation of the aqueous and organic layers in Step 5 is different from that used in Steps 6 and 7.
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q5(c)(ii) (1 mark): Describe how the aqueous layer can be removed from the beaker in Step 5. (1)
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q5(c)(iii) (1 mark): Name the piece of apparatus used to separate the organic layer in Steps 6 and 7. (1) (Total for Question 5 = 12 m
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q2(b) (1 mark): Write the equation for the complete combustion of methanol. State symbols are not required. (1)
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q2(c) (1 mark): Identify, by name or formula, the reagent(s) needed to convert propan‑1‑ol into 1‑iodopropane. (1)
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q2(e) (1 mark): The equation for the oxidation of ethanol by acidified dichromate(VI) ions is shown. 2– + 16H+ → 3CH3COOH + 4Cr3+ + 11H2O 3CH3CH2OH + 2Cr2O7 Deduce the half‑equ
- June 2023, Paper 3, Q3(a) (1 mark): Write the equation for the dehydration of ethanol using structural formulae. State symbols are not required. (1)
- June 2023, Paper 3, Q3(b) (1 mark): Give the formula of phosphoric(V) acid. (1)
- June 2023, Paper 3, Q3(d)(i) (1 mark): Give a possible reason for the boiling tube to be clamped at the angle shown. (1)
- June 2023, Paper 3, Q3(d)(ii) (1 mark): Describe the problem if the ethanol is heated instead of the catalyst. (1)
- June 2023, Paper 3, Q3(d)(iii) (1 mark): Identify a safety issue if the heat source was moved to the position labelled X on the diagram. (1)
- June 2023, Paper 3, Q3(d)(iv) (1 mark): Give a possible reason for the use of the Bunsen valve in the apparatus. (1)
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q7(c)(i) (1 mark): Which is a suitable test and result for butan‑1‑ol? (1) Test reagent Observation A phosphorus(V) chloride PCl5(s) white smoke B phosphorus(V) chloride PCl5(s) s
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q7(c)(ii) (1 mark): State how to produce butanal in high yield when butan‑1‑ol reacts with acidified potassium dichromate(VI). (1)
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q7(c)(iii) (2 marks): Describe a chemical test, including the expected results, that would confirm the presence of an aldehyde such as butanal. (2)
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q7(c)(iv) (6 marks): Describe, including practical details, how a sample of butanoic acid (boiling temperature 166 °C) could be prepared from butan‑1‑ol (boiling temperature 117 °C)
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q6(c)(i) (2 marks): A student assembled the apparatus shown for this oxidation. water out Liebig condenser water in pear-shaped flask reaction mixture anti-bumping granules heat Ex
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q6(c)(iii) (1 mark): Complete the ionic half‑equation for the oxidation of propan‑1‑ol. (1) CH3CH2CH2OH → CH3CH2CHO + H+ + e–
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q6(c)(iv) (1 mark): State how the use of anti‑bumping granules gives smoother boiling. (1)
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q6(a) (1 mark): Primary alcohols react very slowly with concentrated hydrochloric acid. State a different reagent for the chlorination of primary alcohols. (1)
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q6(b) (2 marks): In an experiment, 12.0 g of 2‑methylpropan‑2‑ol was shaken with excess concentrated hydrochloric acid in a separating funnel. After about 15 minutes, the produc
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q6(c)(i) (1 mark): Identify, by name or formula, the gas that was given off. (1)
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q6(c)(ii) (1 mark): Give the formula of the ion that reacted with the hydrogencarbonate ion to form the gas. (1)
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q6(c)(iii) (2 marks): Describe how to dry the organic layer to prepare it for distillation. Include the name of a suitable drying agent. (2)
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q6(d)(i) (1 mark): State the appropriate temperature range over which to collect the product. (1)
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q6(d)(ii) (6 marks): A diagram of the distillation apparatus is shown. thermometer water to sink pear‑shaped flask reaction mixture heat using pear‑shaped water from tap water bath
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q4(b) (1 mark): Which of these compounds would form pent-2-ene only, when reacted with concentrated phosphoric acid, H3PO4? (1) A CH3CH(OH)CH(CH3)2 B CH2(OH)CH2CH2CH2CH3 C CH3C
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q8(a) (1 mark): Write the skeletal formula of compound A. (1)
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q8(b)(i) (2 marks): Give the name and displayed formula of compound B. (2)
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q8(c)(i) (1 mark): Cyclohexanol can be converted to cyclohexene. What is the classification for this reaction? (1) A addition B elimination C oxidation D substitution
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q8(c)(iii) (6 marks): Cyclohexene can be prepared by reacting cyclohexanol with phosphoric(V) acid. The mixture is warmed in a water bath for 15 minutes before distilling off a mixtu
- October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): Some alcohols react with concentrated phosphoric acid to form alkenes. What is the type of this reaction? (1) A addition B elimination C oxidation D substitutio
- October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q2(d)(i) (3 marks): CH3CH2CH2CH2OH reacts with the oxidising agent potassium dichromate(VI) in dilute sulfuric acid. Two organic products can be formed, depending on the conditions
- October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q2(d)(ii) (1 mark): The colour of the solution at the end of the reaction in (d)(i) will be (1) A brown B green C orange D yellow
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): (1) A hexan-2-ol B 2-methylpentan-2-ol C hexan-3-ol D 2-methylpentan-3-ol
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q1(b) (1 mark): Which reagent is used with iodine to prepare iodoalkanes from alcohols? (1) A red phosphorus B concentrated phosphoric acid • C sulfur X D concentrated sulfuric
- June 2019, Paper 3, Q8(a)(i) (3 marks): Parts of the method are given in bold type in Steps 2, 3 and 4. Give a reason why each of these parts is necessary. (3)
- June 2019, Paper 3, Q8(a)(ii) (3 marks): A student drew a diagram of the apparatus used for heating under reflux in Step 4. There are three errors in the apparatus shown in the diagram. Assume the appa
- June 2019, Paper 3, Q8(b)(i) (1 mark): State the position of the aqueous layer in the separating funnel at the start of Step 6. Justify your answer. (1)
- June 2019, Paper 3, Q8(b)(ii) (3 marks): Concentrated hydrochloric acid is used to remove any unreacted butan-1-ol in the mixture in Step 7. Give the reasons for carrying out Steps 8, 9 and 10. (3)
- June 2019, Paper 3, Q8(b)(iii) (1 mark): Give a suitable temperature range over which to collect the pure 1-bromobutane in the redistillation in Step 11. (1)
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q5(e)(ii) (1 mark): The functional group in butan-1-ol can be confirmed using a single chemical test. What is the single chemical test and expected observation? (1) Chemical test r
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q5(a) (2 marks): Balance the ionic half-equation for the reduction of the dichromate(VI) ion. Give the colours of all of the species involved, or state colourless if appropriate
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): This Liebig condenser has been set up incorrectly. Add shading to the diagram to show the water in the condenser, illustrating the effect of the incorrect water
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): State how the granules prevent bumping. (1)
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q5(c) (1 mark): The carboxylic acid shown can be produced by oxidation of an alcohol under reflux. OH O Which alcohol would be oxidised under reflux to produce this carboxylic
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q5(d) (2 marks): Using the apparatus for distillation instead of reflux is not an efficient way to produce ethanoic acid from ethanol. Explain why. (2)
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q5(c)(ii) (1 mark): In stage 2, the product from the first reaction is converted to chloroethene: CHCl + HCl ΔH = +71 kJ mol−1 CH2Cl CH2Cl → CH2 Both products are required for use
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q8(d) (1 mark): Which observation would be expected when 2-methylpropan-2-ol is heated with potassium dichromate(VI) and dilute sulfuric acid? (1) A orange to green B green to
- June 2017, Paper 3, Q2(a) (4 marks): Identify the two changes that must be made to the apparatus before heating the pear-shaped flask, giving a reason for each change. (4)
- June 2017, Paper 3, Q2(c)(i) (1 mark): Give a reason why 3-methylbutanoic acid cannot be formed in the reaction. (1)
- June 2017, Paper 3, Q2(c)(ii) (1 mark): Deduce the formula of the compound that could cause the distillate to have a pH value of 2. (1)
- June 2017, Paper 3, Q2(f)(i) (2 marks): Write an equation, using molecular formulae, for the oxidation of 3-methylbutan-2-ol to 3-methylbutan-2-one. Use [O] to represent the oxidising agent. (2)
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q4(d) (4 marks): Give one chemical test that you could use to confirm the presence of each of the two functional groups suggested in part (c). Predict a result for each test. (4
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q8(b)(i) (1 mark): Suitable reagents and conditions are (1) Reagents Conditions A sodium dichromate(VI) + sulfuric acid heating under reflux B sodium dichromate(VI) + hydrochloric
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q8(b)(ii) (1 mark): The colour change in this reaction is (1) A green to orange B orange to green C orange to colourless D colourless to orange
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(a) (2 marks): Draw a diagram of a separating funnel, labelling the aqueous layer and the layer of 2-chloro-2-methylpropane that would be observed at the end of Step 2. (2)
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(b) (2 marks): Give the reason why sodium hydrogencarbonate solution is added to the organic layer in Step 4 and why it is important to open the tap after adding this solution
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(c) (1 mark): Which one of these anhydrous compounds may be used as a drying agent in Step 6? (1) A sodium chloride B sodium hydroxide C sodium nitrate D sodium sulfate
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(d)(i) (3 marks): Describe three ways in which this apparatus must be modified for safe and efficient use. Assume the apparatus is suitably clamped. (3)
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(d)(ii) (1 mark): Give a suitable temperature range over which to collect the final product during the distillation. (1)
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(f) (2 marks): The mechanism for the reaction is in three stages. CH3 CH3 Stage 1 H3C C CH3 H3C C CH3 O: H+ O+ H H CH3 CH3 Stage 2 H3C C CH3 H3C C+ CH3 + H2O O+ H CH3 CH3 Stag
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q7(b)(i) (1 mark): When alcohol X is oxidised, a carboxylic acid is formed. State what information this gives about alcohol X. (1)
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q8(a) (2 marks): Ethanedioic acid, H2C2O4, can be prepared from ethane-1,2-diol. H H O O H O C C O H C C HO OH H H Give the reagents and condition required for this reaction. (2
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