Carboxylic acid derivatives: Edexcel International A Level Chemistry questions

Every Edexcel International A Level Chemistry exam question on 15D Carboxylic acid derivatives (specification points 15.13–15.16), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 85 questions on Carboxylic acid derivatives, as a list

June 2025, Unit 4, Q2 (1 mark): Which of these statements about the reaction of ethanoyl chloride with ammonia is not correct? A an amide is formed B the reaction is exothermic C misty fumes a
June 2025, Unit 4, Q15(a)(ii) (1 mark): Name the type of reaction taking place in Reaction B. (1)
June 2025 (A), Unit 5, Q15(a) (1 mark): Which reagents are used in Step 2? (1) A chloroethane and aluminium(III) chloride B ethanoic anhydride and sulfuric acid C ethanol and sulfuric acid D potassium
January 2025, Unit 4, Q2 (1 mark): A polyester is made from pentane-1,5-diol and pentanedioic acid. Which is the repeat unit of this polyester? A B O O O O [ [ O C C O O O C C O O (CH2)3 (CH2)5 (
January 2025, Unit 4, Q20(f) (2 marks): Write the equation for the reaction of oxalic acid with excess phosphorus(V) chloride. (2)
January 2025, Unit 5, Q23(b)(iii) (2 marks): For Step 5, name the type of reaction taking place and draw the skeletal formula of the reagent needed to carry out this reaction. (2) Type of reaction Skeletal
October 2024, Unit 4, Q1 (1 mark): An ester has the structure shown. O O Which pair of reactants would form this ester, under suitable conditions? A butanoic acid and propan‑2‑ol B butanoyl chlor
October 2024, Unit 4, Q13 (1 mark): Ethanoyl chloride reacts with ammonia, forming ethanamide. CH3COCl + NH3 → CH3CONH2 + HCl The first step of the mechanism forms the intermediate shown. :O– Cl H
October 2024, Unit 4, Q15 (1 mark): Which monomer could form a condensation polymer without needing a second type of monomer? A HO(CH2)4OH B HO(CH2)4COCl C HO(CH2)4CH CH2 D HO(CH2)4CH2Cl
October 2024, Unit 4, Q16(a) (1 mark): Deduce the name of the alcohol used to synthesise X in a reaction with ethanoyl chloride. (1)
October 2024, Unit 4, Q16(d)(i) (2 marks): Add a single curly arrow to Step 1 and a single curly arrow to Step 2 to complete this part of the mechanism. (2)
October 2024, Unit 4, Q16(d)(ii) (1 mark): State the role of the H+ ion in the synthesis of aspirin. (1)
October 2024, Unit 5, Q15(c) (2 marks): Butylamine reacts with ethanoyl chloride to form N-butylethanamide. Write an equation for this reaction using displayed formulae. (2)
June 2024, Unit 4, Q11 (1 mark): Which statement(s) is/are correct? CH3CH2COCl reacts with 1 CH3NH2 to form CH3CH2CONHCH3 2 (CH3)2NH to form CH3CH2CON(CH3)2 3 (CH3)3N to form CH3CH2CON(CH3)3 A
June 2024, Unit 4, Q12 (1 mark): An ester is hydrolysed in excess dilute hydrochloric acid to form ethanol and propanedioic acid. What is the skeletal formula of this ester? O O A O O O B O O C
June 2024, Unit 4, Q17(b)(iii) (2 marks): Give the structure of the organic product formed in Reaction 3. (2)
June 2024, Unit 4, Q17(b)(iv) (1 mark): Give the structure of the organic product formed in Reaction 4. (1)
June 2024, Unit 5, Q11(a) (1 mark): Which is a suitable liquid to go in the beaker? (1) A deionised water B ethanol C hexane D mineral oil
June 2024, Unit 5, Q11(b) (1 mark): Which is likely to be the main impurity in the sample of aspirin? (1) A ethanoic acid B ethanoic anhydride C ethanol D 2‑hydroxybenzoic acid
June 2024, Unit 5, Q13(a) (1 mark): What is the structure of the amide formed? (1) H O N A H O N B O N C O N D
June 2024, Unit 5, Q15(b) (1 mark): An alternative synthesis of 2,6‑dichlorophenol starts with compound C. OH O O compound C Compound C is chlorinated and hydrolysed and then the CO2 group is remo
June 2024, Unit 6, Q4(b) (1 mark): State the purpose of the sulfuric acid. (1)
January 2024, Unit 4, Q12 (1 mark): From which two reactants could CH3(CH2)2COO(CH2)4CH3 be made? A butanoic acid and pentan‑1‑ol B butanoyl chloride and butan‑1‑ol C butanal and pentan‑1‑ol D pen
January 2024, Unit 4, Q18(c)(i) (1 mark): State the type of reaction in Step 3. (1)
January 2024, Unit 4, Q18(c)(ii) (1 mark): A small amount of a polymeric compound is formed during Step 3. Deduce the structure for the repeat unit of the polymer formed. (1)
January 2024, Unit 5, Q14(c) (6 marks): In the final step of the synthesis, phenylamine reacts with either ethanoyl chloride or ethanoic anhydride. → N‑phenylethanamide + hydrogen chloride phenylamine
October 2023, Unit 4, Q10(c) (1 mark): Which condition is essential for Reaction 2? (1) A acid catalyst B anhydrous C high temperature D ether solvent
October 2023, Unit 4, Q10(d) (1 mark): Reactions 3 and 4 produce the same ester. Which is an advantage of using Reaction 4 to produce this ester in the laboratory? (1) A it can be carried out at room
October 2023, Unit 4, Q11 (1 mark): Which diagram shows two repeat units of the polymer formed by the polymerisation of propane‑1,3‑diol and benzene‑1,4‑dicarboxylic acid? O O A O CH2CH2CH2 O C C
October 2023, Unit 5, Q21(b)(i) (1 mark): Name the three functional groups in acetylsalicylic acid. (1)
October 2023, Unit 5, Q21(b)(ii) (1 mark): Write the equation for the reaction of salicylic acid and ethanoic anhydride. (1)
June 2023, Unit 4, Q8 (1 mark): The two monomers shown react to form a polymer. O HO O OH OH HO monomer 1 monomer 2 Which is a repeat unit of the resulting polymer? O O A O O O O B O O HO O C
June 2023, Unit 4, Q9(a) (1 mark): How many curly arrows are needed to complete the mechanism? (1) A 4 B 5 C 6 D 8
June 2023, Unit 4, Q9(b) (1 mark): What is the IUPAC name for the organic product? (1) A amino ethanone B ethanamide C ethanoyl amine D methanamide Use this space for any rough working. Anything
June 2023, Unit 4, Q12 (1 mark): Which is produced after the polyester shown is hydrolysed with excess sodium hydroxide? O O H H O C C O C C H H n A benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid B ethane-1,2-d
June 2023, Unit 5, Q25(a) (2 marks): Name the three functional groups present in benzocaine. (2)
June 2023, Unit 5, Q25(c) (1 mark): When benzocaine and procaine are hydrolysed, one of the products formed is the same in both reactions. Give the structure of this product. (1)
June 2023, Unit 6, Q2(d)(ii) (2 marks): A student prepared an ester using X and a suitable compound. Explain why the student added aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate to the reaction mixture to allow the
January 2023, Unit 4, Q14 (1 mark): The structure of an ester is shown. O O Which two compounds react to form this ester? A butanoyl chloride and 2‑methylbutan‑2‑ol B butanoyl chloride and 3‑methy
January 2023, Unit 4, Q18(b)(i) (2 marks): Draw the structure of a section of PLA showing two repeat units. (2)
January 2023, Unit 6, Q4(b) (2 marks): Explain why, in Step 4, water is added slowly to the cooled solution. (2)
October 2022, Unit 4, Q17(a)(i) (1 mark): Draw the structure of the cyclic ester B. (1)
October 2022, Unit 4, Q17(a)(ii) (2 marks): Draw the structure of the condensation polymer C, showing two repeat units. (2)
October 2022, Unit 4, Q17(b)(i) (1 mark): Give the molecular formula of this triester. (1)
October 2022, Unit 4, Q17(b)(ii) (3 marks): Complete the equation for the alkaline hydrolysis of this triester with excess aqueous sodium hydroxide, showing the structures of the products. (3) O O + NaOH
October 2022, Unit 4, Q17(c)(i) (1 mark): Identify Reagent P, by name or formula. (1)
October 2022, Unit 4, Q17(c)(ii) (2 marks): Write a balanced equation for Reaction Q. State symbols are not required. (2)
October 2022, Unit 4, Q17(c)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest the structural formula of Reagent R. (1)
October 2022, Unit 4, Q17(c)(iv) (1 mark): Draw the skeletal formula of Reagent S. (1)
October 2022, Unit 4, Q17(d) (6 marks): Sodium ethanoate, CH3COONa , reacts with 2-methylpropanoyl chloride, (CH3)2CHCOCl , to form organic compound Z and sodium chloride, NaCl . The molecular ion pea
June 2022, Unit 4, Q18 (6 marks): *18 Compare and contrast the reactions of ethanoyl chloride with water, with ethanol and with ammonia. Refer to the structural features of the molecules that de
June 2022, Unit 5, Q12(e) (3 marks): Explain how the structures of ethanoyl chloride, CH3COCl, and compound A enable them to react forming 2‑ethanoylaminobenzoic acid in Step 5. (3)
January 2022, Unit 4, Q14 (1 mark): Compound X, C4H10O, is oxidised to form compound Y. Compound Y reacts with ethanol in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid to give an ester, Z. Which of t
January 2022, Unit 4, Q15 (1 mark): Which of these compounds is a product of the hydrolysis of CH3COOC3H7 by refluxing with aqueous sodium hydroxide? A CH3OH B C3H7OH C C3H7COOH D C3H7COO–Na+
January 2022, Unit 4, Q21(b)(i) (2 marks): Name the carboxylic acid, alcohol and catalyst used in Reaction 1. (2) HCOOH catalyst (CH3)2CHCH2OH
January 2022, Unit 4, Q21(b)(ii) (4 marks): Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of using Reaction 2 rather than Reaction 1. (4)
January 2022, Unit 6, Q2(e)(i) (2 marks): Z has a fruity smell. Deduce the identity of the functional group present in Z, using all the information given. Include any relevant wavenumber ranges in your
October 2021, Unit 4, Q13 (1 mark): Butanoic acid may be prepared by the acid hydrolysis of A butyl ethanoate B 1-chlorobutane C ethyl butanoate D propanenitrile Use this space for any rough worki
October 2021, Unit 4, Q14 (1 mark): Terylene is a polyester derived from ethane-1,2-diol and terephthalic acid. HO OH C C O O terephthalic acid What is the structure of the repeat unit of terylene
October 2021, Unit 4, Q15 (1 mark): The formation of esters and the hydrolysis of esters are reactions that are slow under normal laboratory conditions. What speeds up these reactions? Esterificat
October 2021, Unit 5, Q21(f)(i) (2 marks): Hydrolysis with excess aqueous sodium hydroxide. (2)
October 2021, Unit 5, Q21(f)(ii) (1 mark): Condensation with ethanoyl chloride. (1)
June 2021, Unit 4, Q9(a) (1 mark): Which of these is the repeat unit of the polymer? (1) A O O O O O B O O O O C O O O O O O D O O O
June 2021, Unit 4, Q9(b) (1 mark): What reaction occurs when PHBV biodegrades to its monomers? (1) A condensation B hydrolysis C hydration D hydrogenation
June 2021, Unit 4, Q10 (1 mark): Which reagent reacts at room temperature with methylamine, CH3NH2, to form the compound N-methylethanamide? A CH3COCH3 B CH3COOH C CH3COOCH3 D CH3COCl
June 2021, Unit 4, Q17(b)(i) (2 marks): Give the IUPAC name of Y. (2)
June 2021, Unit 4, Q17(b)(ii) (1 mark): Draw the structures of two organic compounds that would react together to form Y. (1)
June 2021, Unit 5, Q19(b)(i) (1 mark): Identify the steamy fumes, by name or formula. (1)
January 2021, Unit 4, Q14 (1 mark): Propyl ethanoate, CH3COOCH2CH2CH3 , is hydrolysed with aqueous sodium hydroxide. Which products are formed? A CH3COOH and CH3CH2CH2OH B CH3COOH and CH3CH2CH2ONa
January 2021, Unit 4, Q17(b) (3 marks): A reaction scheme involving butanoic acid is shown. O O acidified K2Cr2O7 reagent Y alcohol X Cl OH heat under reflux butanoic acid CH3NH2 compound Z Identify X
January 2021, Unit 4, Q17(c) (2 marks): The repeat unit of a polyester is shown. H H O H O O C C O C C C C H H H Give the structures of the two monomers that could form this polyester. (2) Monomer 1 M
January 2021, Unit 4, Q17(d)(iii) (1 mark): The infrared spectrum of E has an absorption in the range 1750 – 1735 cm−1. Name the functional group in E. (1)
January 2021, Unit 5, Q24(c)(ii) (1 mark): Deduce the structure of quinic acid which combines with caffeic acid to form chlorogenic acid. (1) O H O OH caﬀeic acid OH OH H O O O H O O OH OH OH chlorogenic
October 2020, Unit 4, Q12 (1 mark): Which of the following could not be formed when methylamine is added to ethanoyl chloride? A HCl B CH3NH3 +Cl− C CH3CONH2 D CH3CONHCH3
October 2020, Unit 4, Q17(c)(i) (4 marks): Identify, by name or formula, compounds V, W and F. Justify your answer by using all the available information. (4)
October 2020, Unit 4, Q17(c)(iii) (1 mark): State the role of sulfuric acid in the formation of F. (1)
October 2020, Unit 5, Q9 (1 mark): Which pair of monomers can form this polymer? O O C C O CH2 CH2 O Monomer 1 Monomer 2 A HOC6H4OH HOOCCH2CH2COOH B HOCH2C6H4CH2OH HOOCCH2CH2COOH C HOCH2C6H4COOH
October 2020, Unit 6, Q2(a) (4 marks): Compound P is a colourless liquid with a sweet fruity smell. When a sample of P was heated with sodium hydroxide, a volatile product was formed which had a mole
October 2020, Unit 6, Q4(a) (1 mark): Give a reason for placing the flask in cold water in Step 1. (1)
October 2020, Unit 6, Q4(b) (1 mark): Suggest the purpose of the concentrated sulfuric acid added in Step 2. (1)
October 2020, Unit 6, Q4(e) (1 mark): Suggest the purpose of adding crushed ice and distilled water in Step 5. (1)
January 2020, Unit 4, Q1(b) (1 mark): Which of these reacts with ethylamine, CH3CH2NH2, to form an N-substituted amide? (1) A compound 1 B compound 2 C compound 3 D compound 4
January 2020, Unit 4, Q6 (1 mark): Which of these reacts directly with ethanoic acid to form ethanoyl chloride? A chlorine B chloroethane C hydrogen chloride D phosphorus(V) chloride
January 2020, Unit 4, Q20(a)(i) (1 mark): Give the systematic name for isoamyl acetate. (1)
January 2020, Unit 4, Q20(a)(ii) (3 marks): 6.06 × 10–3 mol of sodium hydroxide reacted with the ester present in 1.07 g of the flavouring. Calculate the percentage by mass of the ester in the food flavou

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