Edexcel

A2
Chemistry
Questions and Answers
 Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Unit 4 Rates, equilibria and further organic chemistry

Multiple-choice questions ..............................................................................7

Structured questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Data question . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Unit 5 Transition metals, arenes and organic nitrogen chemistry

Multiple-choice questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Structured questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Data question . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Edexcel A2 Chemistry Questions and Answers © Philip Allan Updates 2

 Introduction
The new Edexcel specification for A2 chemistry will be examined for the first time in 2010.
This online resource contains samples of questions that might be asked in the examinations,
together with the sort of answers that an A-grade candidate should give.There is also important
advice about how examinations should be tackled and examples of common mistakes made by
candidates who achieve low grades.These questions with their answers provide a useful resource
in the important matter of examination technique, as well as helping to clarify chemical ideas.
The questions given here are not balanced in each unit in terms of type of question or level
of demand — they are not intended to typify real papers, only the sort of questions that could
be asked.
The answers are those that examiners would expect from a grade-A candidate. They are not
‘model answers’ to be regurgitated without understanding. In answers that require more
extended writing, it is the ideas that count rather than the form of words used. The principle is
that correct and relevant chemistry, clearly and logically explained by the candidate, scores.
Below you will find important advice on how to cope with answer papers that are marked
online and some information on marking exams and how this differs from the marking of
homework.

The new specification

There are some significant differences in question style between previous examinations and the
new ones. You should bear these differences in mind if you have to work through past papers
based on the previous specification.

Multiple-choice questions
The Unit 4 and 5 examinations each have 20 multiple-choice questions, and these should take
you no more than 20 minutes. Examination papers are often written on the basis of approxi-
mately 1 mark a minute.

Contemporary contexts
Chemistry questions often involve contexts, i.e. a particular area of chemistry is linked to an
industrial process or a feature of everyday life. A context question may ask you to read a passage
and then examine the underlying chemistry. It is not a simple comprehension exercise. The
chemistry behind the context must be known, including any equations. It is in your answers to
such questions that your quality of written communication will be assessed.
Context questions appear in both A2 papers.

How science works (HSW)

Although billed as new in this specification, HSW is not really new. It involves using theories and
models, posing questions that can be answered scientifically, carrying out practical investiga-
tions and being able to use scientific terminology properly. All these skills have featured in
previous specifications, but in the new one the role of HSW in assessment and its proportion in
an examination paper are specified. It is unlikely that you would notice any difference between
HSW questions and questions on similar topics from past papers.
An example of HSW involves the use of theories, models and ideas to develop and modify
scientific explanations. A question that starts with data on initial rates and uses the results to
explain whether the reaction is SN1 or SN2 is an example of HSW. Any question on entropy could
be classified as HSW because it is a general theory that enables predictions to be made.

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 Introduction

HSW includes:
 the assessment of risk in experiments, and understanding the difference between risk and
hazard
 considering the way in which science is communicated and how the quality of the work is
judged by other scientists (peer review)
 green chemistry; particularly the efforts to make chemical processes less hazardous and
more efficient both in terms of the proportion of the atoms started with that finish up in the
product (atom economy) and in terms of lower energy consumption

The examinations
The A2 written examination papers (Unit 4 and Unit 5) are marked out of 90 and last for 1 hour
40 minutes.
Unit 4 has three sections:
 Section A — multiple-choice questions, each with a choice of four answers.
 Section B — a mixture of short-answer and extended-answer questions. This section looks
similar to the papers in the previous modular tests, where the more extended writing is
about 4 or 5 marks-worth of material.
 Section C — one or more questions that require analysis of data. Some data might be given
on the question paper, but candidates are also required to find necessary data inthe Edexcel
data booklet.
Unit 5 has three sections:
 Section A — multiple-choice questions, as in Unit 4.
 Section B — a mixture of short-answer and extended-answer questions. These questions can
include analysis and evaluation of practical work.
 Section C — one or more questions using a contemporary context. Such questions could
contain stimulus material which should to be read carefully before answering the questions
that follow. The stimulus material could take the form of a passage of up to a page in length
that contains information essential to answering some of the questions.

Marking examinations: Edexcel online marking (ePEN)

It is important to understand how examinations are marked, because it affects how you must
present your answers. As the examiner reads your answer, decisions have to be made — is this
answer worth the mark? Those who think that these decisions are always easy ‘because science
is right or wrong’ have misunderstood the nature of marking and the nature of science.
Your job is to give the clearest possible answer to the question asked, in such a way that your
chemical understanding is made obvious to the examiner. In particular, you must not expect the
examiner to guess what is in your head; you can be judged only by what you write.

Not all marking is the same

The marking of homework or other school work is not the same as the marking of examinations.
Teachers marking their students’ work are engaging in formative assessment and their
comments are geared towards helping students to improve their understanding of chemistry.4
It will include suggestions for improving understanding, which are far more important than the
mark awarded, as is any discussion resulting from the work. An examination is a summative
assessment; candidates have no opportunity to improve, so the mark is everything.This is why the
answers to questions that are designed to improve your understanding of chemistry during the
course are fuller than the answers usually demanded by the examiners. Many of the answers in
this online resource are explained more fully than explanations given on A2 level mark schemes.
You should not regard examination questions and answers as chemical education; they are an
attempt to test whether you have acquired that education through the influence of your
teachers and your own reading. Chemical education is designed to make you into a competent
chemist rather than one who can simply regurgitate ‘model answers’ with no underlying

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 Introduction

understanding. If you do the necessary work throughout the course, the examination content
should look after itself. What you need is the right answering technique.
Because examination answers cannot be discussed, you must make your answers as clear as
possible. Do not expect examiners to guess what is in your head. This is one reason why you are
expected to show working in calculations, for example. It is especially important to think before
you write. You are given a reasonable amount of space in which to write your answer. However,
differing handwriting size, false starts and crossings-out, and a tendency to repeat the question
mean that this space is never exactly right for all candidates. The best advice is that before you
begin your answer you must have a clear idea of how it will end. There is neither time nor space for
subsequent editing. It is a good plan to practise putting your answer into a list of the points you
wish to make, and then join them up into coherent sentences. You can also leave them as a list
and still earn marks for good quality of written communication.

Read the question through

Candidates are, unsurprisingly, eager to get on and write something, but you should be patient.
In Sections B and C, it is a good idea to read through a whole question before you start to
answer it.
Reading a question through gives an opportunity for the brain to do some subconscious
processing while the conscious mind is busy directing the writing. You need to have an idea of
what is around the corner and what dangers to avoid. This technique becomes more important
the more chemistry you know, since the A2 papers increasingly expect you to make links
between different areas of the specification and to acquire synoptic understanding. These links
can be made by the brain in the background as you begin to answer the question.

Online marking: how to avoid common pitfalls

 Do not write in any colour other than black.This is now an exam board regulation.
 Do not write outside the space provided without saying, in that space, where the
remainder of the answer can be found.
Edexcel scripts are marked online, so few examiners handle the original paper script. The process
is as follows:
 The exam paper is divided into items, usually a single part of a question. These items are also
called clips.
 The items are set up so that they display on screen, with check-boxes for the score and
various buttons to allow the score to be submitted or for the item to be processed in some
other way.
 Your written paper is scanned; from that point your paper is only handled electronically.
Your answers are tagged with an identity number and each item becomes part of a pool.
 It is impossible for examiners to identify a centre or a candidate from any of the information
supplied.
 Examiners mark items over about 3 weeks.
 They are instructed on how to apply the marking scheme and are tested to make sure that
they know what is required and can mark the paper fairly.
 Examiners are monitored throughout the marking period. They are prevented from marking
an item if they do not achieve the necessary standard of accuracy; defective marking is re-
marked.
 Examiners mark items, not whole scripts. Depending on the length of an item, between 20
and 50 examples are marked and then the examiner moves on to another item. This style
of marking means that your paper could be marked by as many as 20 different people.
 Items are allocated to examiners randomly, so generally they do not see more than one item
from a given candidate.

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 Introduction

It is important to avoid the following potential pitfalls:

 Do not write in any colour other than black. The scans are black-and-white, so any colour
used simply comes out black — unless you write in red, which does not come out at all.
The scanner cannot see red (or pink or orange) writing. If, for example, you want to highlight
different areas under a graph, or distinguish lines on a graph, you must use a different sort
of shading rather than a different colour.
 Do not write too small. Because the answer appears on a screen, the definition is slightly
degraded. In particular, very small numbers used for powers of 10 can be difficult to see.
The original paper script can be checked but it takes a long time to get hold of it.
 Do not write in pencil. Faint writing does not scan well.
 Do not write outside the space provided without saying, within that space, where the
remainder of the answer can be found. Examiners only have access to the items they are
marking; they cannot see the rest of your script. So if you carry on your answer elsewhere but
do not tell the examiner within the clip where the remainder of your answer can be found, it
will not be marked. Although the examiner cannot mark the out-of-clip work, the paper will
be referred to the Principal Examiner for marking.
 Do not use asterisks or arrows as a means of directing examiners to out-of-clip items.
 Explain in words. Examiners cannot be expected to guess what the asterisks mean.
 Do not write across the centre fold of the paper from the left-hand to the right-hand page.
A strip about 8 mm wide is lost when the papers are guillotined for scanning.
 Do not repeat the question in your answer. For example, the answer to the question ‘Define
the enthalpy of hydration of a calcium ion’ is: ‘The enthalpy change when one mole of calcium
ions in the gas phase is dissolved in excess water’ or, using an equation,‘The energy change
per mole for Ca2+(g) + aq → Ca2+(aq)’ . Do not start by writing ‘The enthalpy of hydration of
a calcium ion is defined as...’ because this will take up most of the space available for the
answer. Examiners know what the question is — you do not need to repeat it.

George Facer

George Facer was Head of Science at Sherborne School, Deputy Headmaster at Kamuzu Academy,
Malawi and Instructor in Advanced Placement Chemistry at Phillip’s Academy Massachusetts.
He is currently Chair of Examiners for Edexcel A-Level Chemistry.The questions presented here are
a sample of those that will appear in the new Unit Guides for the 2008 Edexcel specification.

For further questions and answers, with examiner comments, and specific content
guidance on each unit, see our Student Unit Guides for Edexcel AS Chemistry (available now)
and for Edexcel A2 Chemistry (available from early summer 2009). For more information
and to order copies online, visit www.philipallan.co.uk, or contact Bookpoint on
01235 827720.
Edexcel AS Chemistry Student Unit Guides – written by Rod Beavon
978-0-340-95012-8 Edexcel AS Chemistry Unit 1: The Core Principles of Chemistry
978-0-340-94818-7 Edexcel AS Chemistry Unit 2: Applications of the Core Principles of
Chemistry
Edexcel A2 Chemistry Student Unit Guides – written by George Facer
978-0-340-94949-8 Edexcel A2 Chemistry Unit 4: General Principles of Chemistry I —
Rates, Equilibria and Further Organic Chemistry
978-0-340-94948-1 Edexcel A2 Chemistry Unit 5: General Principles of Chemistry II —
Transition Metals and Organic Nitrogen Chemistry

Edexcel A2 Chemistry Questions and Answers © Philip Allan Updates 6

 Unit 4 Rates, equilibria and further organic chemistry

Unit 4:
Multiple-choice questions
Each question or incomplete statement is followed by four suggested answers, A, B, C and D.
Select the best answer in each case. The answers are given, with some commentary, after
Question 15.
1 Consider the reaction:
A + 2B → C + D
The reaction was studied and the following data on initial rates were obtained.

Experiment [A]/mol dm−3 [B]/mol dm−3 Rate/mol dm−3 s−1

1 0.10 0.10 4.6 × 10−4
2 0.30 0.10 1.4 × 10−3
3 0.15 0.20 1.4 × 10−3

What is the correct rate equation?

A rate = k[A]
B rate = k[A]3
C rate = k[A][B]
D rate = k[A][B]2
2 For a specific reaction, the rate equation is:
rate = k[X]2[Y]
The units of rate are mol dm−3 s−1. The units of the rate constant, k, for this reaction are:
A mol−1 dm3 s−1
B mol dm−3 s
C mol−2 dm6 s−1
D mol2 dm−6 s
3 An exothermic reaction is thermodynamically spontaneous at 20°C. Which of the following
statements is correct?
A It will be spontaneous at all temperatures whatever the sign of ΔSsystem.
B It will only proceed at 20°C if the activation energy is not too high.
C It will only proceed if ΔSsystem is positive.
D The value of ΔStotal is larger at 40°C than at 20°C.
4 Which of the following does not have a positive value of ΔSsystem?
A MgSO4(s) + aq → Mg2+(aq) + SO42−(aq)
B Ba(OH)2.8H2O(s) + 2NH4Cl(s) → BaCl2(s) + 10H2O(l) + 2NH3(g)
C NaCl(s) → NaCl(l)
D C(s) + H2O(g) → CO(g) + H2(g)

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 Unit 4 Multiple-choice questions

5 Consider the equilibrium reaction:

A(g) + B(g)  C(g) ΔH = +23 kJ mol−1
Which of the following statements is true?
A An increase in pressure will drive the position of equilibrium to the right and hence
will increase the value of the equilibrium constant, K.
B An increase in pressure will increase the value of the equilibrium constant, K, and
hence drive the position of equilibrium to the right.
C An increase in temperature will drive the position of equilibrium to the right and
hence will increase the value of the equilibrium constant, K.
D An increase in temperature will increase the value of the equilibrium constant, K, and
hence drive the position of equilibrium to the right.
6 The Haber process for the manufacture of ammonia utilises the exothermic reaction
between nitrogen and hydrogen. It is carried out at 400°C at a pressure of 200 atm in the
presence of a heterogeneous catalyst of iron. Which of the following statements is not true
about this process?
A High pressure is used to increase the equilibrium yield.
B High pressure is used to speed up the rate of reaction.
C The value of the equilibrium constant is small at 400°C and is even smaller at 500°C.
D A temperature of 400°C and an iron catalyst are chosen because these conditions
result in a reasonable yield at a fast rate.
7 A buffer solution of a weak acid and its salt has a pH of 5.00. When it is diluted ten-fold,
its pH:
A stays the same
B alters by a small amount only, because a buffer resists changes in pH.
C falls to 4.00
D increases to 6.00
8 The correct name for the following compound is:
H5C2 H
C C
H3C CH2OH

A E-1-hydroxy-3-methylpent-2-ene
B Z-1-hydroxy-3-methylpent-2-ene
C cis-1-hydroxy-3-methylpent-2-ene
D trans-1-hydroxy-3-methylpent-2-ene
9 The compound CH3CH(OH)CH(CH3)COOH has:
A no optical isomers
B two optical isomers
C three optical isomers
D four optical isomers
10 In the nucleophilic addition of HCN to propanone, the first step is attack by a lone pair of
electrons:
A on the oxygen atom of propanone onto the δ+ hydrogen atom of HCN
B on the carbon atom of HCN onto the δ+ carbon atom in propanone
C on the carbon atom of the CN− ion onto the δ+ carbon atom in propanone
D on the nitrogen atom of the CN− ion onto the δ+ carbon atom in propanone

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 Unit 4 Multiple-choice questions

11 In which of the following is there hydrogen bonding?

A between different molecules of propanone
B between different molecules of propanal
C between propanal and propanone molecules
D between propanal molecules and water
12 Consider the reaction scheme:
step 1 step 2
CH3COOH → CH3COCl → CH3CONH2
What are the correct reagents for steps 1 and 2?
Step 1 Step 2
A PCl5 KCN
B PCl5 NH3
C HCl KCN
D HCl NH3
13 The correct repeat unit for the polyester formed by reacting hexane-1,6-dioic acid with
hexane-1,6-diol is:
A ( C (CH2)4 C O (CH2)6 O
)
O O

B ( C (CH2)6 C O (CH2)6 O
)
O O

C ( O C (CH2)4 C O (CH2)6 O
)
O O

D ( O C (CH2)6 C O (CH2)6 O
)
O O

14 The NMR spectra of CH3CH2Cl and CH3CH2Br:

A both have two peaks in the ratio 3:2 at the same chemical shift
B both have two peaks in the ratio 3:2 at different chemical shifts
C both have two peaks split into 2 and 3
D both have three peaks in the ratio 3:2:1 due to the C– H bond in CH3, the C– H bond in
CH2 and the C–halogen bond
15 The mass spectrum of CH3CH2Br will have:
A a peak at m/e = 109
B peaks at m/e = 108 and 110
C peaks at m/e = 93, 94 and 95
D peaks at m/e = 79, 80 and 81

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 Unit 4 Multiple-choice questions

Answers
1 C When experiments 1 and 2 are compared, [A] increases by a factor of 3 and the rate
increases by a factor of 1.4 × 10−3/4.6 × 10−4 = 3.0, so it is first order with respect to A.
Consider experiments 2 and 3: [A] halves and [B] doubles, but the rate stays the same.
The halving of [A] would reduce the rate by a factor of 2, but as the rate did not alter, the
doubling of [B] must have increased the rate by a factor of 2, cancelling out the decrease
due to the lower concentration of A. This means that the reaction is first order with
respect to B.
2 C The rate equation has to be rearranged into:
rate
k=
[X]2[Y]
which, on substituting, becomes:
concentration × time–1
k= = concentration−2 time−1 = mol−2 dm6 s−1
concentration2 × concentration
In options B and D the expression for k is upside down; options A and B do not show
that it is second order in [X].
3 B For a thermodynamically feasible reaction to be observed, the activation energy must
be reasonably low, so that the reactants are kinetically unstable as well as being thermo-
dynamically unstable. Thus B is the correct response. It is worth checking the others. For a
reaction to be spontaneous, ΔStotal must be positive. Since the reaction is exothermic,
ΔSsurr is positive. If ΔSsystem is negative, the reaction will cease to be spontaneous as the
temperature is increased, because ΔSsurr will become less positive. This means that A is
false. ΔSsystem need not be positive. If it is negative and numerically less than the positive
ΔSsurr, the reaction is feasible. Thus option C is false. ΔStotal is not larger at 40°C. It is an
exothermic reaction and so the value of ΔStotal (and hence the equilibrium constant K)
will decrease with an increase in temperature. Thus option D is also false.
4 A Even though there is a large increase in entropy of the solute going from solid to
aqueous solution, the water is ordered by the high charge density of the group 2 cation.
This more than outweighs the increase in entropy of the magnesium sulfate. Therefore
ΔSsystem is negative, making option A the correct answer to this negative question. It is
worth putting ‘+’ or ‘−‘ beside each response. Then the one marked ‘−’ will be your answer.
In B, a highly disordered gas is produced, so ΔSsystem is positive. A molten liquid always
has a higher entropy than its solid, so option C is positive. In D, two moles of gas are
formed from one mole of gas, which causes an increase in entropy. Therefore, D is
positive. The only answer with a negative ΔSsystem is A.
5 D A change in pressure will not alter the value of the equilibrium constant, K, so options A
and B cannot be correct. The logic in option C is wrong, but is correct in option D. For any
endothermic reaction, an increase in temperature will cause an increase in the value of K,
which becomes bigger than the equilibrium term [products]n/[reactants]m. This term has
to get larger, so that it once again equals the value of K. To do this, the value of the upper
line must increase and that of the bottom line decrease. This happens as the position of
equilibrium shifts to the right, so the answer is D. The logic for an endothermic reaction is:
T increases, therefore K increases, therefore the equilibrium position moves to the right
and is not:
T increases, therefore the equilibrium position moves to the right, so K increases.

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 Unit 4 Multiple-choice questions

6 B This question is best answered by putting true or false beside each option:
 Option A: True — there are fewer gas moles on the right, so an increase in pressure will
drive the equilibrium to the right and so increase the yield.
 Option B: False — the rate of a reaction involving a solid metallic catalyst at a given
temperature is not altered by pressure. It depends solely on the number of active sites
on the surface of the catalyst.
 Option C: True — the value of K is small at 400°C (which is why it is economic to use
high pressure). Since the reaction is exothermic, the value of K will decrease as the
temperature rises.
 Option D: True — a catalyst allows the reaction to proceed at a fast rate at a lower
temperature. This results in a higher yield than if a higher temperature were used.
Options A, C and D are all true. Option B is false and is the correct answer to this negative
question.
Ka [acid]
7 A [H+] = , so the pH of a buffer depends on the ratio of [acid] to [salt].
[salt]
This ratio is not altered by dilution, so the pH stays the same. Option B shows a misunder-
standing of the term ‘buffer’. A buffer resists change in pH when a small amount of acid
or alkali is added. Options C and D would be true if the ratio of [acid] to [salt] were to
increase or decrease by a factor of 10.
8 A As there are four different groups around the C=C, the cis/trans method of naming
geometric isomers cannot be used, so options C and D are incorrect. The group on the
right-hand carbon of the C=C that has the higher priority is the C2H5 group; that with the
higher priority on the left-hand carbon is the CH2OH group. These are on opposite sides
of the double bond, so the compound is an E-isomer.
9 D The compound has two different chiral centres, as shown by the asterisks * on the carbon
atoms in the formula:
H H

H3C C C COOH

OH CH3

The four isomers are ++, −−, +− and −+. The last two are different because the four
groups around the first chiral carbon atom are different from the four groups around the
second chiral carbon atom.
10 C This reaction requires a catalyst of cyanide ions. The formula of a cyanide ion is usually
written as CN−. However, the charge is on the carbon atom, which has a lone pair of
electrons. In the first step, the lone pair attacks the δ+ carbon atom in propanone,
forming a new carbon–carbon bond.
11 D For hydrogen bonding to occur there must be a δ+ hydrogen atom in one molecule and
a δ− oxygen atom in the other molecule. Propanal has a δ− oxygen (caused by the consid-
erable difference in electronegativities of the carbon and the oxygen in the C=O group)
and there are δ+ hydrogen atoms in the water. This means that hydrogen bonding will
occur. Neither propanone nor propanal has a hydrogen atom that is sufficiently δ+ for
hydrogen bonding, so there are no hydrogen bonds between propanone molecules
(option A), between propanal molecules (option B) or between propanal and propanone
molecules (option C).
12 B A carboxylic acid can be converted to an acid chloride by reaction with phosphorus
pentachloride, PCl5, not by reaction with hydrogen chloride. Thus options C and D are
incorrect. The conversion of an acid chloride to an amide is carried out by reaction with
ammonia. Thus, option A is incorrect.

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 Unit 4 Multiple-choice questions

13 A Hexane-1,6-dioic acid has six carbon atoms (including the carboxylic acid carbon atoms),
so options B and D are incorrect as they both have eight carbon atoms in the dioic acid
parts of their chains. The polyester forms by loss of an OH from one monomer and an H
from the other, so the repeat unit has only four oxygen atoms. This means that options C
and D are incorrect because they have five oxygen atoms in their repeat units.
14 B Peaks in an NMR spectrum are caused by protons in different chemical environments.
The protons of the CH3 group are in a different environment from those in the CH2 group,
so there are two peaks in the spectra of both molecules. This discounts option D. The
peaks will be split by spin–spin coupling according to the (n + 1) rule, where n is the
number of neighbouring hydrogen atoms. This means that the peak due to the CH3
group will be split into three and that of the CH2 into four, so option C is incorrect. The
different halogen atoms will cause a different δ value (chemical shift), so option A is
incorrect and B is correct.
15 B Bromine has a relative atomic mass of 80. However, there are no atoms of mass 80 units,
as bromine consists of two isotopes of masses 79 and 81 in equal proportions. Thus it will
not have a molecular ion of mass (2 × 12) + 5 + 80 = 109 (option A). The molecular masses
of CH3CH279Br and CH3CH281Br are 108 and 110, so there will be peaks at m/e 108 and 110
(the correct response B). There will also be peaks due to loss of CH3 at 108 − 15 = 93 and
110 − 15 = 95, but no peak at 109 − 15 = 94, so option C is incorrect. There will be peaks at
m/e = 79 and 81 due to 79Br+ and 81Br+, but no peak at m/e = 80 because there is no 80Br
isotope. Therefore, option D is incorrect.

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 Unit 4 Rates, equilibria and further organic chemistry

Unit 4:
Structured questions
Responses to questions with longer answers may have an examiner’s comment preceded by the
icon  e . Some of the comments highlight common errors made by candidates who produce
work of C-grade standard or lower.
Question parts marked with an asterisk* test ‘Quality of Written Communication’ (QWC).
It is worth reading through the whole question before attempting to answer it.

Question 16
a What is meant by:
(i) order of reaction (1 mark)
(ii) rate of reaction (1 mark)
b 1-bromopropane and sodium hydroxide react to form propan-1-ol and sodium bromide.
The rate of this reaction was measured using different concentrations of hydroxide ions and
1-bromopropane. The results are shown in the table below.

[1-bromopropane]/ Initial rate of

Experiment [OH−]/mol dm−3 mol dm−3 reaction/mol dm−3 s−1
1 0.25 0.25 1.4 × 10−4
2 0.125 0.25 7.0 × 10−5
3 0.50 0.125 1.4 × 10−4

*(i) Deduce the order of reaction with respect to hydroxide ions and to
1-bromopropane. Justify your answer. (4 marks)
(ii) Write the rate equation for this reaction. (1 mark)
(iii) Calculate the value of the rate constant. (2 marks)
(iv) Write a mechanism for this reaction that is consistent with your answer to (ii). (3 marks)
*c In terms of collision theory, explain how the rate of this exothermic reaction would
alter with an increase in temperature. (4 marks)
Total: 16 marks

Answers to Question 16
a (i) The sum of the powers to which the concentrations of the reactants are raised in the
experimentally determined rate equation .


e Do not say that it is the sum of the individual orders, unless you also define individual order.

(ii) The rate of change of concentration of a reactant or of a product with respect to

time .


e The answer ‘It is the amount by which the concentration has changed divided by the time for
that change’ is also acceptable.

b (i) Consider experiments 1 and 2. When [OH–] is halved and [1-bromopropane] is

kept constant, the rate also halves. Therefore, the order with respect to hydroxide
ions is 1 .

Edexcel A2 Chemistry Questions and Answers © Philip Allan Updates 13

 Unit 4 Structured questions

Consider experiments 1 and 3. When [OH–] is doubled and [1-bromopropane] is

halved, the rate does not alter. Since the rate should double because of the doubling of
[OH–] , the halving of [1-bromopropane] must have caused the rate to halve ,
cancelling out the increase due to the rise in [OH–]. Therefore, the reaction is first
order  with respect to 1-bromopropane.


e You must make it clear which two experiments you are comparing.

(ii) rate = k[OH–][1-bromopropane] 

rate 1.4 × 10–4
(iii) k = = = 0.0022 mol–1 dm3 s–1 
[OH–][1-bromopropane] 0.25 × 0.25 
concentration × (time)–1

e The units of k can be calculated as
( concentration)2
= (concentration)–1 × (time)–1

(iv) The rate equation is first order with repect to both reactants, so the mechanism is SN2.
It is attacked by the nucleophilic OH– ion involving a transition state:
–
H H H

–
H O C Br → H O C Br → H O C H

H5C2 H H5C2 H
C2H5


e The curly arrow should start from the lone pair of electrons on the oxygen atom of the
OH– ion and go towards the δ+ carbon atom. A second curly arrow must be drawn from the
σ C–Br bond to the δ− bromine atom. The transition state must show a negative charge.

c An increase in temperature causes the molecules to gain kinetic energy . As a result,

more of the colliding molecules have energy ≥ the activation energy , so a greater
proportion of the collisions result in reaction  (i.e. more of the collisions are successful).
Hence the rate of reaction increases .


e For the third mark, do not say that ‘There will be more successful collisions’. The total number
of successful collisions is independent of the temperature because the reaction will still go to
completion, but over a longer time, at a lower temperature.

Question 17
Hydrogen can be made by reacting steam with coke at high temperature:
C(s) + H2O(g)  CO(g) + H2(g) ΔH = +131 kJ mol−1
a The reaction was allowed to reach equilibrium at a temperature T and at a pressure
of 1.2 atm. It was found that 10% of the steam was converted into carbon monoxide
and hydrogen.
(i) Write the expression for Kp. (1 mark)
(ii) Calculate the value of Kp at this temperature (to two significant figures).
Include the units in your answer. (6 marks)
*b State and explain the effect on the equilibrium constant, Kp, and hence on the equilibrium
yield of hydrogen of:
(i) increasing the pressure to 2.4 atm (4 marks)
(ii) increasing the temperature (3 marks)
c Suggest why a temperature of 2000°C is not used. (1 mark)
Total: 15 marks

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 Unit 4 Structured questions

Answers to Question 17
p(CO)p(H2)
a (i) Kp = 
p(H2O)


e A value for carbon (coke) is not included because it is a solid.

(ii)

H2O(g) CO(g) H2(g)

Initial moles 1 0 0
Equilibrium moles 1 − 0.10 = 0.90 0.10 0.10 
Mole fraction 0.90/1.10 = 0.818 0.10/1.10 = 0.0909 0.10/1.1 = 0.0909 
Partial pressure/atm 0.818 × 1.2 = 0.982 0.0909 × 1.2 = 0.109 0.0909 × 1.2 = 0.109 
p(CO)p(H2) 0.109 atm × 0.109 atm
Kp = = = 0.012 atm (2 s.f.) 
p(H2O) 0.982 atm


e The route is:
% → equilibrium moles → mole fraction → partial pressure → value for Kp → units of Kp.

b (i) Increasing the pressure has no effect on the value of Kp ; only temperature change
affects this. However, the partial pressure term increases by a factor of two and so is
no longer equal to the unaltered Kp . The system is now not at equilibrium and reacts
by moving to the left until the partial pressure term once again equals Kp . Thus the
equilibrium yield of hydrogen is decreased .
(ii) Increasing the temperature will cause the value of Kp to increase, as the reaction is
endothermic . The partial pressure term is now smaller than Kp, so the system is not
in equilibrium  and reacts to make more hydrogen and carbon monoxide until the
partial pressure term equals the new larger value of Kp .
c This temperature would result in greater conversion to hydrogen, but would be
uneconomic as water is cheap and such a high temperature is expensive to maintain .

Question 18
a Propanoic acid, CH3CH2COOH, is a weak acid that reacts reversibly with water:
CH3CH2COOH(aq) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + CH3CH2COO−(aq)
When an aqueous solution of propanoic acid is mixed with solid sodium propanoate, a
buffer solution is formed.
(i) Write the expression for the acid dissociation constant, Ka, of propanoic acid. (1 mark)
(ii) Define a buffer solution. (2 marks)
(iii) Calculate the mass of sodium propanoate that has to be added to 100 cm3 of a
0.600 mol dm−3 solution of propanoic acid to make a buffer solution of pH 5.06
at 25°C. (The acid dissociation constant of propanoic acid = 1.31 × 10−5 mol dm−3
at 25°C; molar mass of sodium propanoate = 96.0 g mol−1.) (4 marks)
*(iv) Explain why a solution of propanoic acid alone is not a buffer solution. (3 marks)
b Under suitable conditions, both propanoic acid and propanoyl chloride react with
methanol to form an ester.
(i) Name the ester produced. (1 mark)

Edexcel A2 Chemistry Questions and Answers © Philip Allan Updates 15

 Unit 4 Structured questions

(ii) Write equations for the formation of this ester from:

 propanoic acid
 propanoyl chloride (2 marks)
(iii) Which method gives a better yield of ester. Explain your answer. (1 mark)
c Vegetable oils can be converted into biodiesel by a transesterification reaction.
Give one example of this. (2 marks)
d Ethane-1,2-diol and benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid form a polyester. Write the
structural formula of the repeat unit of this polymer showing all double bonds. (2 marks)
Total: 18 marks
Answers to Question 18
[H3O+][CH3CH2COO−]
a (i) Ka = 
[CH3CH2COOH]
(ii) A buffer solution is one that maintains a nearly constant pH  when small amounts of
acid or alkali are added .
(iii) [H3O+] = 10−pH = 10−5.06 = 8.710 × 10−6 mol dm−3 
Ka[CH3CH2COOH] 1.31 × 10−5 × 0.600
[CH3CH2COO−] = = = 0.9024 mol dm−3 
[H3O+] 8.710 × 10−6
moles of salt = concentration × volume = 0.9024 mol dm–3 × 0.100 dm3 = 0.09024 mol
mass of salt needed = moles × molar mass = 0.09024 × 96.0 = 8.66 g 
(iv) The crucial point about a buffer is that the ratio [acid]:[salt] must not alter significantly
when small amounts of acid or alkali are added. This can only happen if the acid and
salt are present in similar amounts. Propanoic acid is a weak acid and so a solution has
a significant [CH3CH2COOH] but a tiny [CH3CH2COO−] . When OH− ions are added
they react with propanoic acid molecules. This causes [CH3CH2COO−] to rise signifi-
cantly, which alters the [acid]:[salt] ratio and affects the pH . When H+ ions are added,
they react with some of the few CH3CH2COO− ions present, making [CH3CH2COO−]
even smaller. This alters the [acid]:[salt] ratio and causes the pH to change  .
b (i) Methyl propanoate 
(ii) With propanoic acid:
CH3CH2COOH + CH3OH  CH3CH2COOCH3 + H2O 
With propanoyl chloride:
CH3CH2COCl + CH3OH → CH3CH2COOCH3 + HCl 
(iii) The reaction with propanoyl chloride because it is not a reversible reaction whereas
the reaction with propanoic acid is reversible .
c The transesterification reaction involved is when the ester of propane-1,2,3-triol and
unsaturated long-chain fatty acids reacts with an alcohol such as methanol. This produces
three methyl esters of the unsaturated acids, which are used as biodiesel , and a by-
product of propane-1,2,3-triol.
CH2OOCR CH2OH

CHOOCR’ + 3CH3OH → RCOOCH3 + R’COOCH3 + R’’COOCH3 + CHOH

CH2OOCR’’ CH2OH

d
( O CH2 CH2 O C C
)
O O


e Ester linkage ; rest of repeat unit with ‘continuation’ bonds .The repeat unit of a polyester
will have four oxygen atoms.

Edexcel A2 Chemistry Questions and Answers © Philip Allan Updates 16

 Unit 4 Structured questions

Question 19
Propanone and propanal are isomers with molecular formula C3H6O.
a Write the equation for the reaction of propanone with
2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. (2 marks)
b Write the formula of the organic product of the reaction of propanal with:
(i) Fehling’s solution (1 mark)
(ii) lithium aluminium hydride in dry ether followed by the addition of dilute
hydrochloric acid (1 mark)
c (i) Both propanone and propanal react with hydrogen cyanide, HCN, in the
presence of a catalyst of cyanide ions. Draw the mechanism of the reaction
with propanal. (3 marks)
*(ii) Explain why this reaction is very slow at both high and low pH. (2 marks)
Total: 9 marks

Answers to Question 19
a NO2 NO2
H3C H3C

C O + H2N NH NO2 → C N NH NO2 + H2O

H3C H3C


e C=N linkage ; rest of molecule 

b (i) CH3CH2COO− 


e Fehling’s solution is alkaline and oxidises propanal to give the anion of propanoic acid, but not
the acid itself.

(ii) CH3CH2CH2OH 
c (i) Step 1
CH3
H3C

C O C
O–
H3C CN H3C CN
both arrows

Step 2
CH3 CH3

C C
O– H CN OH + –CN

H3C CN H3C CN
both arrows

(ii) At a high pH (very alkaline), the OH− ions react with the HCN. As the [HCN] is now
very small, the rate of step 2 is almost zero . At a low pH (very acid), the H+ ions
protonate any CN− ions. As the [CN−] is now very small, the rate of step 1 is almost
zero .

Edexcel A2 Chemistry Questions and Answers © Philip Allan Updates 17

 Unit 4 Rates, equilibria and further organic chemistry

Unit 4:
Data question
Question 20
a Consider the reaction:
CaSO4(s) → CaO(s) + SO3(g)
Use the data booklet to calculate:
(i) ΔS°system (2 marks)
(ii) ΔH for the reaction and hence ΔSsurr at 500°C (3 marks)
(iii) Use your answers to (i) and (ii) to calculate ΔStotal at 500oC
and hence the
value of the equilibrium constant, K, at this temperature. (R = 8.31 J K−1 mol−1). (3 marks)
(iv) Calculate the value of the equilibrium constant at 1000°C. (1 mark)
b  The lattice energy of calcium sulfate, CaSO4 , is −2677 kJ mol−1.
 The hydration enthalpy of the Ca2+(g) ion is −1650 kJ mol−1; the hydration enthalpy of the
SO3(g) ion is −1045 kJ mol−1.
Draw a Hess’s law diagram for the dissolving of calcium sulfate in water and
calculate its enthalpy of solution. (4 marks)
*c Which of strontium sulfate and barium sulfate is more soluble? Justify your answer using
the data below to calculate the difference in ΔStotal.
 ΔH° −1
solutionSrSO4(s) = −9 kJ mol
 ΔH° −1
solutionBaSO4(s) = +19 kJ mol
 S° Sr2+(aq) = −33 J K−1 mol−1
 S° Ba2+(aq) = +10 J K−1 mol−1 (5 marks)
Total: 18 marks

Answers to Question 20
a (i) ΔSsystem = S(CaO) + S(SO3) − S(CaSO4)
= +40 + 256 −(+107) = +189 J K−1 mol−1 
(ii) ΔH = ΔHf CaO + ΔHf SO3 − ΔHf CaSO4 = (−635) + (−396) − (−1434) = +403 kJ mol−1 
−ΔH (+403 000) J mol−1
ΔSsurr = =− = −521 J K−1 mol−1 
T 773 K


e You need to look up the values of the standard entropies of these three substances in the data
booklet for (i) and the standard enthalpies of formation for (ii). Remember to use values for
SO3(g) not SO3(s).

(iii) ΔStotal = ΔSsystem + ΔSsurr

= +189 + (−521) = −332 J K−1 mol−1 
ΔStotal = RT ln K
ΔStotal –332
ln K = = = −0.0517 
RT 8.31 × 773
K = e–0.0517 = 0.950 

Edexcel A2 Chemistry Questions and Answers © Philip Allan Updates 18

 Unit 4 Data question

–403000
(iv) ΔSsurr = = −317
1273
ΔStotal = +189 − 317 = −128
–128
ln K = = −0.0121
8.31 × 1273
K = 0.988 
b ————→ Ca2+(g) + SO42−(g)
– lattice energy | ↓
ΔHhydr Ca2+
↓
ΔHhydr SO42−
CaSO4(s) + aq → Ca2+(aq) + SO42−(aq)


e Cycle ; labels 

ΔHsolution = −lattice energy + sum of hydration energies of ions 

= −(−2677) + (−1650) + (−1045) = −18 kJ mol−1 
c The value of ΔHsolution for barium sulfate is more endothermic by 28 kJ mol−1 . This
means that ΔSsurr becomes 28 000/298 = 94 J K−1 mol−1 more negative . The value of
ΔSsystem of barium sulfate is 43 J K−1 mol−1 more positive . As ΔStotal = ΔSsystem + ΔSsurr ,
the value of ΔStotal for barium sulfate is 94 – 43 = 51 J K−1 mol−1 less than that of strontium
sulfate . As ΔStotal is 51 J K−1 mol−1 less positive, barium sulfate will be less soluble  than
strontium sulfate.

Edexcel A2 Chemistry Questions and Answers © Philip Allan Updates 19

 Unit 5 Transition metals, arenes and organic nitrogen chemistry

Unit 5:
Multiple choice questions
Each question or incomplete statement is followed by four suggested answers, A, B, C or D. Select
the best answer in each case. The answers are given, with some commentary, after Question 15.
1 When the standard electrode potential of zinc is measured, a reference electrode is needed
because:
A the potential between a metal and its solution cannot be measured directly
B a standard hydrogen electrode has a potential of zero
C zinc is the cathode
D a pressure of 1 atm must be used
2 If the standard electrode potential of a cell, E°cell , is +0.10 V, the reaction:
A is not thermodynamically feasible, as the value of E°cell is too small
B will always take place
C will take place under standard conditions, if the activation energy is not too high
D will have a negative value of ΔStotal
3 Which of the following can act as a bidentate ligand?
A NH2NH2
B NH2(CH2)2NH2
C ClCH2Cl
D Cl(CH2)2Cl
4 Which of the following is the electronic configuration of a stable coloured transition metal
ion?
A [Ar] 3d10 4s1
B [Ar] 3d10 4s0
C [Ar] 3d6 4s1
D [Ar] 3d6 4s0
5 When solid hydrated copper sulfate, CuSO4.5H2O, is heated it produces steam and white
anhydrous copper sulfate, CuSO4. This compound is white because:
A copper has an electron configuration of [Ar] 3d10 4s1
B the copper ion in CuSO4 has a full d-shell
C the copper ion no longer has any ligands and so the d-orbitals are not split
D the copper ions are reduced to Cu+ ions
6 An isomer of C5H8O gave a yellow precipitate with iodine and alkali, decolorised bromine
water and gave a yellow precipitate with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. The isomer is
A CH2=C=CHCH(OH)CH3
B CH3CH=CHCH2CHO
C CH2=CHCH2COCH3
D CH2=CHCOCH2CH3
7 The electrophile in the Friedel–Crafts reaction between benzene and ethanoyl chloride is:
+
A CH3CO
+
B CH3CO –
+ δ−
C CH3COCl–
δ+ δ−
D CH3C O

Edexcel A2 Chemistry Questions and Answers © Philip Allan Updates 20

 Unit 5 Multiple-choice questions

8 When phenol reacts with bromine water, the product(s) are:

OH
A
Br Br

Br

B OH
Br Br
+ 3HBr

Br

C OH

Br

D OH

+ HBr

Br

9 Which of the following is not an amide?

A CH3CONH2
B CH3CONHC2H5
C C6H5CONH2
D CH3COCH2NH2
10 Which statement about amines, for example ethylamine, is not true?
A They react with bases.
B They are soluble in water.
C They react with acid chlorides.
D They form complex cations with hydrated copper(II) ions.
11 What are the reagents and conditions for the following two-step synthesis?
step 1 step 2
nitrobenzene → phenylamine → benzenediazonium chloride
Step 1 Step 2
A Tin and concentrated Sodium nitrite and hydrochloric
hydrochloric acid acid below 0°C
B Iron and concentrated Sodium nitrite and hydrochloric
hydrochloric acid acid between 0°C and 10°C
C Concentrated Sodium nitrite and hydrochloric
hydrochloric acid acid above 10°C
D Hot acidified potassium Sodium nitrite and hydrochloric
dichromate(VI) acid heated under reflux
12 A polyamide such as Kevlar®:
A is water soluble because of hydrogen bonds between the –NH groups and water
B is made from an amine such as ethylamine and a dicarboxylic acid such as
benzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid
C is a solid with hydrogen bonding between strands
D is biodegradable

Edexcel A2 Chemistry Questions and Answers © Philip Allan Updates 21

 Unit 5 Multiple-choice questions

13 Poly(ethenol) is:
A made by polymerising ethenol at room temperature
B made by polymerising ethenol using a Ziegler–Natta catalyst
C made by a hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate with dilute acid
D insoluble in water because it cannot form enough hydrogen bonds with water
molecules.
14 Which of the following compounds has an unsplit peak (a singlet) in its NMR spectrum?
A CH3CHO
B (CH3)3CH
C (CH3)2CHCHO
D CH3COCH2CH3
15 Heating under reflux is used if the reaction is slow at room temperature and:
A the product has a low boiling temperature
B one of the reactants has a low boiling temperature
C the reactants and products have similar boiling temperatures
D the reactants and product form separate layers

Answers
1 A Zinc ions go into solution and the electrons remain on the zinc rod, thus setting up a
potential difference. However, this cannot be measured directly as any connection to a
voltmeter using a metal wire dipping into the solution would alter the potential. A salt
bridge has to be used which is then connected to a reference electrode. Options B and D
are true statements but neither is the reason why a reference electrode has to be used.
Option C is incorrect, as the zinc becomes oxidised and is, therefore, the anode.
2 C It is a common misunderstanding that the cell potential has to be above a value, such
as > +0.03 V or > +0.3 V. As long as the cell potential is positive, the reaction is thermo-
dynamically feasible. Therefore, option A is incorrect. Option B is incorrect because the
reaction may not happen for kinetic reasons. Option D is incorrect because a positive
value for the cell potential means that ΔStotal is also positive.
3 B Hydrazine, NH2NH2 , has a lone pair of electrons on each nitrogen atom. If it formed a
bidentate ligand, this would involve a triangle of the two nitrogen atoms and the metal
ion. Such a triangular shape would cause too much strain in the bonds. Therefore, option
A is incorrect. Option B is correct because 1,2-diaminoethane has two lone pairs of
electrons, one on each nitrogen atom, and it forms a five-membered ring with the metal
ion and this is stable. A covalently bound chlorine atom is not a ligand (although chlorine
ions can be), so options C and D are incorrect.
4 D This is the electronic configuration of a Fe2+ ion. Option A is the configuration of a
copper atom — note that the question asks about a transition metal ion. Option B is the
configuration of Zn2+ or Cu+. Zinc is not a transition metal, as its ion does not have an
unpaired d-electron and copper(I) ions are not coloured. Option C is the configuration for
a Fe+ ion, which does not exist.
5 C Hydrated copper sulfate has four water ligands. When it is heated, these are lost. As there
are now no ligands, there is no splitting of the d-orbitals.
Option A is a true statement about a copper atom, but is irrelevant to this question.
Option B is incorrect as the copper ion in CuSO4 is 2+ and has the electron configuration
[Ar] 3d9. Option D is incorrect because hydrated copper(II) sulfate is not reduced on
heating.

Edexcel A2 Chemistry Questions and Answers © Philip Allan Updates 22

 Unit 5 Multiple-choice questions

6 C The iodoform reaction tests for a CH3C=O or a CH3CH(OH) group. Bromine water tests for
a C=C group and Brady’s reagent for a C=O group. The question is best attempted by
putting a  or  for each reaction.
Iodoform reaction Bromine water Brady’s reagent
A   
B   
C   
D   
7 A The Cl is removed along with the σ-bond electrons, leaving the positive charge on the
carbonyl carbon atom. Options B, C and D are simply incorrect.
8 B Phenol and bromine react in a substitution reaction, so there must be two products.
Thus options A and C are incorrect. The oxygen atom activates the benzene ring and
three bromine atoms substitute into the ring in the 2, 4 and 6 positions. Thus B is correct.
9 D An amide has a nitrogen atom attached to the carbon of a C=O group. Option A has a
C=ONH2 group and is ethanamide. Option B is a substituted amide having a C=ONH
group and is N-ethylethanamide. Option C is also an amide — benzamide. In option D,
the C=O and NH2 groups are separated by a CH2 group. Therefore, this compound is a
ketone and an amine; it is not an amide. Thus D is the correct answer to this negative
question.
10 A Amines are bases and not acids. Therefore, they do not react with other bases, so option
A is false and is the correct answer to this negative question. Amines are soluble in water,
as they can form hydrogen bonds with H2O molecules. They react with acid chlorides to
form substituted amides. An amine molecule has a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen
atom which can act as a ligand with transition metal ions such as copper(II) ions.
Therefore, options B, C and D are all true statements.
11 B The correct reagents for the reduction of nitrobenzene are either tin or iron plus concen-
trated hydrochloric acid. So, for step 1, options A and B are correct and options C (no
reducing agent) and D (dichromate(VI) ions are an oxidising agent) are incorrect. For step
2, the temperature must not be above 10°C (another reason why option C is wrong)
because this would cause the diazonium ions to decompose; it must be above 0°C or the
reaction will be too slow. Therefore, option A is incorrect. Only option B has the correct
reagents and conditions.
12 C Kevlar® is a polyamide and so forms strong hydrogen bonds between strands with the
δ+ hydrogen of the –NH forming a hydrogen bond with the lone pair of the δ – oxygen
atom in a C=O group in another strand. In addition, the benzene rings form van der Waals
attractions between strands, making Kevlar® stronger than other polyamides. Option A is
incorrect because the benzene rings are hydrophobic and the interstrand hydrogen
bonding is so strong that Kevlar is not water-soluble. The monomers of a polyamide must
have two functional groups. Ethylamine has only one functional group, so it cannot form
polymers. Therefore, option B is incorrect. Kevlar is not a natural polymer and so is not
biodegradable. Therefore, option D is also incorrect.
13 C Ethenol, CH2=CHOH, does not exist. Attempts to make it produce ethanal, CH3CHO,
so options A and B are incorrect. Poly(ethenol) is water-soluble, so option D is wrong.
It is manufactured either by transesterification with methanol or by the hydrolysis of
polyvinyl acetate, (H2CCH(OOCCH3))n so C is the correct answer.
14 D A singlet can be due to the hydrogen of an OH group, or to the hydrogen atoms on a
carbon atom that does not have an adjacent carbon atom with a hydrogen atom
attached. Thus all alcohols and carboxylic acids have a singlet, as do methyl ketones,

Edexcel A2 Chemistry Questions and Answers © Philip Allan Updates 23

 Unit 5 Multiple-choice questions

which have a CH3CO group, thus the methyl hydrogen atoms have no neighbouring
hydrogen atoms to cause splitting. The CH3 hydrogen atoms in butanone (D) (on the left
as written in the question) have a C=O group as their neighbour and so this peak will not
be split. Ethanal (A) has two peaks, one split into four and the other into two.
Methylpropane (B) has two peaks, one split into ten and the other into two.
Methylpropanal (C) has three peaks, one split into seven and two split into two.
15 B Be careful here: it is the reactant not the product that must be prevented from boiling
off, so option A is incorrect The responses in C and D have nothing whatsoever to do
with heating under reflux.

Edexcel A2 Chemistry Questions and Answers © Philip Allan Updates 24

 Unit 5 Transition metals, arenes and organic nitrogen chemistry

Unit 5:
Structured questions
Responses to questions with longer answers may have an examiner’s comment preceded by the
icon  e . Some of the comments highlight common errors made by candidates who produce
work of C-grade standard or lower.
Question parts marked with an asterisk* test ‘Quality of Written Communication’ (QWC).
It is worth reading through the whole question before attempting to answer it.

Question 16
a Ethanamide, CH3CONH2, can be prepared in the laboratory from ethanol. Outline how this
could be carried out, stating the reagents and conditions needed and identifying all inter-
mediate compounds formed. (6 marks)
b Tylenol is a secondary amide and a phenol.
CH3
O C

NH

OH

It is used as a painkiller in the USA.

Predict the organic product of its reaction with:
(i) bromine water (1 mark)
(ii) aqueous sodium hydroxide at room temperature (1 mark)
c An organic compound Z contains only carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen. When 1.00 g
of Z was burnt, 1.48 g of carbon dioxide, 0.71 g of water and 0.52 g of nitrogen dioxide, NO2,
were produced.
(i) Calculate the percentage by mass of the elements in Z. (2 marks)
(ii) Use your answer to (i) to show that Z has the empirical formula C3H7O2N. (2 marks)
d The molecular formula of compound Z is the same as its empirical formula. Compound Z
melts at a high temperature, is soluble in water and reacts with both acids and alkalis. When
heated with ninhydrin, a dark colour is produced. Z has a chiral centre.
(i) Draw the structural formula of Z. (2 marks)
*(ii) Explain why compound Z has a high melting temperature and why it is soluble in
water. (4 marks)
(iii) Write ionic equations to show the reactions of compound Z with H+(aq) ions and
with OH−(aq) ions. (2 marks)
Total: 20 marks

Answers to question 16
a Step 1: C2H5OH → CH3COOH  (ethanoic acid)
Reagents: acidified potassium dichromate  (H+/Cr2O72−)
Conditions: heat under reflux 

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 Unit 5 Structured questions

Step 2: CH3COOH → CH3COCl  (ethanoyl chloride)

Reagent: phosphorus pentachloride  (PCl5)
Step 3: CH3COCl → CH3CONH2
Reagent: ammonia solution  (NH3)


e Alternative reagents for step 2 are PCl3 or SOCl2.
b (i) CH3
O C

NH

Br Br

OH


e Tylenol is a phenol. It reacts with bromine water to form a white precipitate.
(ii) CH3
O C

NH

Br Br

O– Na+


e As Tylenol is a phenol, it reacts as an acid with aqueous sodium hydroxide. The amide group
is not hydrolysed at room temperature.
c (i) ⎩ ⎩
mass of carbon = 1.48 × 12.0 /44.0 = 0.404 g % carbon = 40.4%
⎨
mass of hydrogen = 0.71 × 2.0/18.0 = 0.789 g ⎧  % hydrogen = 7.89% ⎨
mass of nitrogen = 0.52 × 14.0/46.0 = 0.158 g % nitrogen = 15.8% 
% oxygen = 100 – 40.4 –
⎧
7.89 – 15.8 = 35.91%


e Note that to obtain the mass of hydrogen, the mass of water has to be multiplied by 2, because
there are two hydrogen atoms in each water molecule. In this example the percentage is
100 times the mass because the initial mass of Z was 1.00 g.
(ii) Element % Divide by Ar Divide by smallest
Carbon 40.4 40.4/12.0 = 3.37
⎩ 3.37/1.13 = 3.0
Hydrogen 7.89 7.89/1.0 = 7.89 ⎨ 7.89/1.13 = 7.0

Nitrogen 15.8 15.8/14.0 = 1.13 ⎧ 1.13/1.13 = 1.0
Oxygen 35.91 35.91/16.0 = 2.24 2.24/1.13 = 2.0
This is consistent with an empirical formula of C3H7O2N .
d (i) The formula is:
CH3 CH3

+
H2N C COOH or H3N C COO–

H H


e There is 1 mark for either an H2N/H3N+ group or a COOH/COO− group and 1 mark for the
remainder. The chiral centre is shown with an asterisk.

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 Unit 5 Structured questions


e Ninhydrin reacts with amino acids to form a dark coloration. This is how the positions of
different amino acids are identified in thin-layer chromatography.
(ii) Compound Z has a high melting temperature because it forms a zwitterion,
3 3 
+H NCH(CH )COO− . There are strong ionic forces of attraction between different

zwitterions. This means that a lot of energy is required to separate zwitterions and
therefore the melting temperature is high .
It is soluble in water because hydrogen bonds form between the COO− groups and the
δ+ hydrogen atoms in water  and between the +H3N groups and the lone pairs of
electrons on the δ− oxygen atoms in water .
(iii) Either H2NCH(CH3)COOH + H+ → +H3NCH(CH3)COOH or
+H
3NCH(CH3)COO
− + H+ → +H
3NCH(CH3)COOH 
and
either H2NCH(CH3)COOH + OH− → H2NCH(CH3)COO− + H2O or
+H
3NCH(CH3)COO
− + OH− → H2NCH(CH3)COO− + H2O 

Question 17
a Cr3+(aq) + e− Cr2+(aq) E° = −0.41 V
Cr2O72−(aq) + 14H+(aq) + 6e− 2Cr3+(aq) + 7H2O(l) E° = +1.33 V
S(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2e− H2S(aq) E° = +0.14 V
(i) Hydrogen sulfide, H2S, reduces dichromate(VI) ions in acid solution. Is the product Cr3+
ions or Cr2+ ions? Justify your answer, calculating the E°cell values for possible reductions.
(4 marks)
(ii) Write the ionic equation for the reaction that takes place between hydrogen sulfide
and dichromate(VI) ions in acid solution. (2 marks)
(iii) Define disproportionation. (1 mark)
*(iv) Explain in terms of E° values, whether Cr3+(aq) ions will disproportionate. (2 marks)
b The water from volcanic hot springs often contains significant amounts of the poisonous
gas hydrogen sulfide. The amount present can be measured by titration against a standard
solution of acidified potassium manganate(VII).
5H2S + 2MnO4− + 6H+ → 2Mn2+ + 5S + 8H2O
A portion of hot spring water of volume 250 cm3 was taken and 50.0 cm3 portions were
titrated against acidified 0.0100 mol dm−3 potassium manganate(VII) solution. The mean
titre was 7.55 cm3. Calculate the volume of hydrogen sulfide dissolved in the 250 cm3
sample of hot spring water. (1 mol of gas, under the conditions of the experiment, has a
volume of 24 000 cm3) (4 marks)
Total: 13 marks
Answers to Question 17
a (i) Reduction to Cr3+:
The third equation has to be reversed and multiplied by 3:
Cr2O72−(aq) + 14H+(aq) + 6e− 2Cr3+(aq) + 7H2O(l) E° = +1.33 V
3H2S(aq) 6H+(aq) + 3S(s) + 6e− E° = −(+0.14 V) = −0.14 V
The value of Ec°ell is (+1.33) + (−0.14) = +1.19 V 
This is positive, so hydrogen sulfide will reduce chromium(VI) ions to chromium(III)
ions .


e Remember that when a redox half-equation is reversed, the sign of E° must be altered; when
it is multiplied by a number, the E° value is unaltered.

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 Unit 5 Structured questions


e The equations need not be written here, but it is safer to do so.The alternative is to realise that
the Cr2O72−/Cr3+ equation is the right way round but the S/H2S equation has to be reversed.
Therefore the value of:
E°cell = (the value of Cr2O72−/Cr3+ half-equation) − (the value of S/H2S half-equation)
= +1.33 −(+0.14) = +1.19 V
Reduction to Cr2+:
The first equation has to be multiplied by 2 and the third equation reversed:
2Cr3+(aq) + 2e− → 2Cr2+(aq) E° = −0.41 V
H2S(aq) → 2H+(aq) + S(s) + 2e− E° = −(+0.14 V) = −0.14 V
The value of Ec°ell is −0.41 + (−0.14) = −0.55 V 
This is negative so hydrogen sulfide will reduce chromium(VI) ions to chromium(III)
ions but no further .
(ii) The overall equation is obtained by adding:
Cr2O72−(aq) + 14H+(aq) + 6e− → 2Cr3+(aq) + 7H2O(l)
3H2S(aq) → 6H+(aq) + 3S(s) + 6e− 
Cr2O72−(aq) + 8H+(aq) + 3H2S → 2Cr3+(aq) + 7H2O(l) + 3S(s) 


e You must remember to cancel the H+ ions: 14H+ on the left-hand side and 6H+ on the right-
hand side cancel to leave 8H+ on the left.

(iii) Disproportionation is when an element in a single species is simultaneously oxidised

and reduced .
(iv) The disproportionation reaction would involve Cr3+ ions being reduced to Cr2+ ions
(first equation in the data) and Cr3+ ions being oxidised to Cr2O72− ions (the second
equation reversed).
The Ec°ell for this is (E° for the first half-equation) − (E° for the second half-equation):
Ec°ell = (−0.41) − (+1.33) = −1.74 V. This value is negative and so disproportionation of
Cr3+ ions does not occur .
b amount (moles) of MnO4− = concentration × volume
= 0.0100 mol dm−3 × 0.00755 dm3 = 7.55 × 10−5 mol 
amount (moles) of H2S in 50 cm3 = 5/2 × 7.55 × 10−5 = 1.8875 × 10−4 mol 
amount (moles) in 250 cm3 = 250/50 × 1.8875 × 10−4 = 9.4375 × 10−4 mol 
volume of hydrogen sulfide dissolved = 9.4375 × 10−4 × 24 000 = 22.7 cm3 

Question 18
a Explain, with the aid of an equation, why hydrated chromium(III) ions in solution
are acidic. (2 marks)
b State what you would see when aqueous sodium hydroxide is added steadily until
in excess to a solution of hydrated chromium(III) ions. Give the equations for the
reactions. (4 marks)
*c EDTA reacts with hydrated chromium(III) ions to form a polydentate complex ion in an
exothermic reaction:
EDTA4−(aq) + [Cr(H2O)6]3+(aq) → [Cr(EDTA)]−(aq) + 6H2O(l)
Explain why ΔSsystem is positive for this reaction. (2 marks)
*d The EDTA complex ion is coloured. Explain why it is coloured. (3 marks)
Total: 11 marks
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 Unit 5 Structured questions

Answers to question 18
a The hydrated ions are reversibly deprotonated by water forming H3O+ ions which make
the solution acidic .
[Cr(H2O)6]3+(aq) + H2O(l)  [Cr(H2O)5OH]2+(aq) + H3O+(aq) 
b At first a dirty green precipitate  is formed.
[Cr(H2O)6]3+(aq) + 3OH−(aq) → [Cr(H2O)3(OH)3](s) + 3H2O(l) 
This then dissolves in excess sodium hydroxide to form a green solution .
[Cr(H2O)3(OH)3](s) + 3OH−(aq) → [Cr(OH)6]3− + 3H2O(l) 
c The reaction with EDTA involves two particles reacting to form seven particles, all in the
aqueous phase . This is a significant increase in disorder and so ΔSsystem is positive .
d The six pairs of electrons forming the bonds between EDTA and the Cr3+ ion cause the
d-orbitals in the chromium ion to split into two levels . When white light is shone onto
the complex, some of the frequencies are absorbed  and an electron is promoted from
the lower level of the split d-orbitals to a higher level . This causes the ion to have the
complementary colour to that of the wavelength absorbed.

Question 19
Arenes, such as benzene and its derivatives nitrobenzene and phenol, react with electrophiles.
a Nitrobenzene can be prepared from benzene. Give the reagents and conditions
and write the equation for this reaction. Why must the temperature be controlled? (5 marks)
b Benzene also reacts with ethanoyl chloride in a Friedel–Crafts reaction. Give the
mechanism for this reaction, including the production of the electrophile. (4 marks)
c Phenol reacts with bromine water.
(i) Write the equation for this reaction (1 mark)
(ii) Explain why this reaction does not need a catalyst and is much faster than
the reaction of bromine with benzene. (3 marks)
Total: 13 marks

Answers to Question 19
a The reagents are concentrated nitric acid  and concentrated sulfuric acid . The
conditions are heat to 50°C . At a higher temperature some dinitrobenzene will be
produced and at a lower temperature the reaction will be too slow .
The equation is:
NO2
+ HNO3 → + H2O

b Formation of electrophile
+
CH3COCl + AlCl3 → CH3C =O + AlCl4– 
O
Step 1
C CH3
+
CH3C O → + H

O O
Step 2
C CH3 C CH3
+ H AlCl4– → + HCl + AlCl3

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 Unit 5 Structured questions

c (i) OH OH

Br Br
+ 3Br2 → + 3HBr

Br

(ii) The lone pair of electrons (the 2pz electrons) on the oxygen atom in phenol becomes
partly delocalised into the benzene ring π-bond . This increases the electron density
in the ring and makes it more susceptible to electrophilic attack , and so has a lower
activation energy, making the reaction faster .

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 Unit 5 Transition metals, arenes and organic nitrogen chemistry

Unit 5:
Contemporary context question
Question 20
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic radiation is important in chemistry in a number of ways.
Radio waves of frequency around 100–400 MHz are used in NMR spectroscopy. The substance
under investigation is placed in a very strong magnetic field. This causes the energy levels of
spinning hydrogen nuclei to split into two. The peaks in the NMR spectrum measure the
difference between these two levels, which varies according to the exact environment of the
hydrogen nuclei. The peaks are also split by the hydrogen atoms on neighbouring carbon atoms;
the splitting follows the (n + 1) rule.
Microwaves have a higher frequency. This radiation is only absorbed by polar molecules. The
molecules then rotate faster gaining rotational energy. On collision with another molecule, this
energy is converted into kinetic energy, in the form of heat. Use of this is made in the pharma-
ceutical industry where microwaves are used to heat up reaction mixtures.
Infrared spectroscopy uses radiation of a higher frequency still. It detects the presence of
functional groups and can be used to identify unknown compounds. When infrared radiation is
absorbed by a molecule, one or more of its bonds bend or stretch. Absorption only takes place if
the stretching or bending causes a change in dipole moment.
UV light is the highest frequency radiation normally used in chemistry. It causes bonds in a
molecule to break homolytically, forming free radicals. When a mixture of chlorine and methane
is exposed to a short pulse of UV radiation, chlorine radicals are produced. These then take part
in a chain reaction, the first step being the removal of a hydrogen atom from methane to form
hydrogen chloride and a methyl radical.
a Place the four types of electromagnetic radiation discussed in the passage in order
of decreasing frequency. (1 mark)
*b Explain why the air inside a microwave oven does not heat up when a cup of water
is being heated in the oven. (1 mark)
*c (i) State and explain the difference between the high-resolution NMR spectra of
ethanol, CH3CH2OH, and ethanamide, CH3CONH2. (5 marks)
(ii) The infrared spectra of ethanol and ethanamide compounds are shown below
as spectrum X and spectrum Y.
100
Transmittance/%

IR Spectrum X

50

0
4000 3000 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber/cm–1

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 Unit 5 Data question

100

Transmittance/%
IR Spectrum Y

50

0
4000 3000 2000 1500 1000
Wavenumber/cm–1

Identify the spectrum of ethanamide, giving reasons. (You should consult the
Edexcel data booklet, the Edexcel A2 Chemistry textbook which this online
resource accompanies or another source of data.) (3 marks)
d When chlorine gas is bubbled into liquid methylbenzene, C6H5CH3, in the presence of
UV radiation, a free radical substitution reaction takes place. One of the products is
chloromethylbenzene, C6H5CH2Cl. The mechanism of this reaction is similar to that
between methane and chlorine.
(i) Write the mechanism of the reaction between chlorine gas and methylbenzene,
showing the initiation step and two propagation steps. (3 marks)
(ii) Some 1,2-diphenylethane, C6H5CH2CH2C6H5 is formed in this reaction. Explain
how this is evidence for the mechanism that you have written in (i). (2 marks)
*(iii) Suggest how a pure dry sample of chloromethylbenzene could be extracted from the
reaction mixture.

Boiling Solubility
Density/g cm−3 temperature/°C in water
Chloromethylbenzene 1.1 179 Insoluble
Methylbenzene 0.87 111 Insoluble
(5 marks)
Total: 20 marks

Answers to Question 20
a UV > IR > microwaves > radio waves 
b The air consists, mostly, of oxygen and nitrogen. These are non-polar molecules and so do
not absorb microwaves .
c (i) Ethanol has the formula CH3CH2OH and has hydrogen nuclei in three chemical envi-
ronments. Its NMR spectrum has three different peaks in the ratio 3:2:1 . The peak
due to the hydrogen atoms in the CH3 group is split into three and those due to the
hydrogen atoms in the CH2 group are split into four . The peak due to the hydrogen
in the OH group is not split .
Ethanamide has the formula CH3CONH2 and has hydrogen nuclei in two chemical
environments. Its spectrum has two peaks in the ratio 3:2  and neither of the peaks
is split .


e Do not forget to describe for both molecules the number of peaks, their relative heights and
the extent of splitting due to spin coupling (n + 1) rule.The peaks in the ethanamide spectrum

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 Unit 5 Data question

are not split, because there is no hydrogen atom on the carbon atoms adjacent to the CH3 and
NH2 groups.

(ii) Both spectra have a broad peak at around 3350 cm−1. These are caused by the O–H
bond in ethanol and the N–H bond in ethanamide . Spectrum X has a strong peak
at 1680 cm–1. This is typical of the C=O bond in amides (1700 to 1630 cm−1) , so
spectrum X is that of ethanamide and spectrum Y is that of ethanol .
d (i) Initiation step:
UV
Cl2 → 2Cl• 
Propagation steps:
Cl• + C6H5CH3 → C6H5CH2• + HCl 
C6H5CH2• + Cl2 → C6H5CH2Cl + Cl• 
(ii) The 1,2-diphenylethane is formed by two C6H5CH2• radicals joining together in a
chain termination step 
C6H5CH2• + C6H5CH2• → C6H5CH2CH2C6H5 
(iii) The reaction mixture will contain some hydrogen chloride, unreacted methylbenzene
and some polysubstituted methylbenzene. The following procedure should be used to
obtain pure chloromethylbenzene:
 Wash the reaction mixture with water and then with sodium carbonate (or sodium
hydrogencarbonate) solution  in a separating funnel, collecting the lower organic
layer  each time.


e This removes hydrogen chloride, which is a reaction product impurity.
 Dry the organic layer with anhydrous calcium chloride .
 Filter off the calcium chloride and distil  the clear dried organic layer. Discard any
unreacted methylbenzene that distils over at around 111°C and collect the fraction
that boils over between 177°C and 181°C .


e The polysubstituted methylbenzenes have a higher boiling temperature and are left behind
in the distillation flask.

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