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Arenes - benzene: Edexcel A‑Level Chemistry questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Chemistry exam question on 18A Arenes - benzene, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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2,028 questions

  1. Q8(e)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    3 marks18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 8(e)(i): Describe how the orbitals of carbon atoms overlap to form the σ‑bonds and the π‑bonds in the delocalised model of the benzene ring. You may include a labelled d

  2. Q8(e)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    4 marks18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 8(e)(ii): Explain why the delocalised model of the benzene ring is the preferred representation rather than the Kekulé cyclic triene. Refer to one physical and one thermo

  3. Q9(a)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    3 marks18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 9(a): Complete a possible mechanism for this reaction by adding curly arrows, and any relevant dipoles, charges and lone pairs. (3) O S O O structure of intermediate

  4. Q5

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    6 marks18A Arenes - benzene6C Alkenes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 5: * 5 Compare and contrast the reactions of bromine with benzene and of bromine with cyclohexene. Consider the types of reaction that occur, the products that for

  5. Q4(b)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    4 marks18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 4(b)(ii): Explain why benzene is resistant to bromination but ethene reacts readily with bromine at room temperature. (4)

  6. Q9(c)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    4 marks18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 9(c)(i): Piceol can be produced from the reaction of ethanoyl chloride and phenol. Assume the mechanism for the reaction with phenol is similar to that with benzene and

  7. Q5

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    6 marks18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 5: * 5 Explain the difference in the reactivity of bromine with benzene and with phenol. Include the type of reaction, the products that form, and any conditions r

  8. Q3(b)(iii)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    4 marks18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 3(b)(iii): Aluminium chloride is used as a catalyst in the alkylation of benzene. Draw the mechanism for the reaction between benzene and chloromethane using aluminium chl

  9. Q6(a)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    2 marks18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 6(a)(i): Explain why phenol can be nitrated using milder conditions than benzene. (2)

  10. Q6(b)(ii)

    October 2020 · Paper 3

    1 mark18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 3, question 6(b)(ii): Give the expected observation when these aromatic compounds undergo incomplete combustion. (1)

  11. Q6(b)(iii)

    October 2020 · Paper 3

    1 mark18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 3, question 6(b)(iii): Identify another type of organic compound which will also produce the same observation as in (b)(ii). (1)

  12. Q6(b)(iv)

    October 2020 · Paper 3

    2 marks18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 3, question 6(b)(iv): These combustion experiments must be carried out in a fume cupboard. Safety line Explain why the front window of the fume cupboard must be below the safety line

  13. Q5(a)(i)

    June 2019 · Paper 2

    1 mark18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 2, question 5(a)(i): Draw the displayed formula of the chloroalkane required for this reaction. (1)

  14. Q5(a)(ii)

    June 2019 · Paper 2

    5 marks18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 2, question 5(a)(ii): Draw the mechanism for this reaction. Include equations showing the role of the catalyst and how it is regenerated. (5)

  15. Q5(a)(iii)

    June 2019 · Paper 2

    3 marks18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 2, question 5(a)(iii): Explain whether phenol is likely to be less or more reactive than benzene with the chloroalkane from (a)(i). (3)

  16. Q10(c)(ii)

    June 2019 · Paper 3

    2 marks18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 3, question 10(c)(ii): Draw the structures of the three possible isomers of D containing a benzene ring. (2)

  17. Q8(a)(i)

    June 2018 · Paper 2

    2 marks18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 2, question 8(a)(i): Complete the equation for the reaction of phenol with excess bromine water, using the skeletal formula of the organic product. (2) OH + Br2 →

  18. Q8(a)(ii)

    June 2018 · Paper 2

    3 marks18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 2, question 8(a)(ii): Compare and contrast the bromination of phenol with the bromination of benzene. (3)

  19. Q8(b)(i)

    June 2018 · Paper 2

    3 marks18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 2, question 8(b)(i): The mechanisms of the nitration of phenol and of benzene are similar. Complete the diagram, using curly arrows, to show a possible mechanism for the reaction +,

  20. Q7(c)

    June 2017 · Paper 2

    2 marks18A Arenes - benzene
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 2, question 7(c): Paracetamol is structurally similar to Antifebrin, but has a hydroxy group attached directly to the benzene ring. HO O N C H CH3 The bromination of the benzene
All 22 questions on Arenes - benzene, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q8(e)(i) (3 marks): Describe how the orbitals of carbon atoms overlap to form the σ‑bonds and the π‑bonds in the delocalised model of the benzene ring. You may include a labelled d
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q8(e)(ii) (4 marks): Explain why the delocalised model of the benzene ring is the preferred representation rather than the Kekulé cyclic triene. Refer to one physical and one thermo
  3. June 2025, Paper 3, Q9(a) (3 marks): Complete a possible mechanism for this reaction by adding curly arrows, and any relevant dipoles, charges and lone pairs. (3) O S O O structure of intermediate
  4. June 2024, Paper 3, Q5 (6 marks): * 5 Compare and contrast the reactions of bromine with benzene and of bromine with cyclohexene. Consider the types of reaction that occur, the products that for
  5. June 2023, Paper 2, Q4(b)(ii) (4 marks): Explain why benzene is resistant to bromination but ethene reacts readily with bromine at room temperature. (4)
  6. June 2023, Paper 3, Q9(c)(i) (4 marks): Piceol can be produced from the reaction of ethanoyl chloride and phenol. Assume the mechanism for the reaction with phenol is similar to that with benzene and
  7. June 2022, Paper 3, Q5 (6 marks): * 5 Explain the difference in the reactivity of bromine with benzene and with phenol. Include the type of reaction, the products that form, and any conditions r
  8. November 2021, Paper 3, Q3(b)(iii) (4 marks): Aluminium chloride is used as a catalyst in the alkylation of benzene. Draw the mechanism for the reaction between benzene and chloromethane using aluminium chl
  9. November 2021, Paper 3, Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain why phenol can be nitrated using milder conditions than benzene. (2)
  10. October 2020, Paper 3, Q6(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give the expected observation when these aromatic compounds undergo incomplete combustion. (1)
  11. October 2020, Paper 3, Q6(b)(iii) (1 mark): Identify another type of organic compound which will also produce the same observation as in (b)(ii). (1)
  12. October 2020, Paper 3, Q6(b)(iv) (2 marks): These combustion experiments must be carried out in a fume cupboard. Safety line Explain why the front window of the fume cupboard must be below the safety line
  13. June 2019, Paper 2, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Draw the displayed formula of the chloroalkane required for this reaction. (1)
  14. June 2019, Paper 2, Q5(a)(ii) (5 marks): Draw the mechanism for this reaction. Include equations showing the role of the catalyst and how it is regenerated. (5)
  15. June 2019, Paper 2, Q5(a)(iii) (3 marks): Explain whether phenol is likely to be less or more reactive than benzene with the chloroalkane from (a)(i). (3)
  16. June 2019, Paper 3, Q10(c)(ii) (2 marks): Draw the structures of the three possible isomers of D containing a benzene ring. (2)
  17. June 2018, Paper 2, Q8(a)(i) (2 marks): Complete the equation for the reaction of phenol with excess bromine water, using the skeletal formula of the organic product. (2) OH + Br2 →
  18. June 2018, Paper 2, Q8(a)(ii) (3 marks): Compare and contrast the bromination of phenol with the bromination of benzene. (3)
  19. June 2018, Paper 2, Q8(b)(i) (3 marks): The mechanisms of the nitration of phenol and of benzene are similar. Complete the diagram, using curly arrows, to show a possible mechanism for the reaction +,
  20. June 2017, Paper 2, Q7(c) (2 marks): Paracetamol is structurally similar to Antifebrin, but has a hydroxy group attached directly to the benzene ring. HO O N C H CH3 The bromination of the benzene
  21. June 2017, Paper 2, Q8(a)(i) (1 mark): Write the equation for the formation of the electrophile, CH3CO+, from ethanoyl chloride using the catalyst aluminium chloride. (1)
  22. June 2017, Paper 2, Q8(a)(ii) (4 marks): Complete the diagram, including curly arrows, to show the mechanism for the reaction between this electrophile and benzene to produce phenylethanone. Include th

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