SCSA Chemistry Properties and structure of organic materials
5 sample questions with marking guides and sample answers
Which of the following will decolourise a solution of bromine water?
1.0 mol L solution
1.0 mol L KCl solution
Classify the type of reaction represented in the following equation:
addition
oxidation
combustion
condensation
Freon-11 is a colourless chlorofluorocarbon that boils at 23.77 °C. Prior to the knowledge of the ozone-depleting potential of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other possible harmful effects on the environment, it was used as a refrigerant.
The following data was used to determine that Freon-11 is trichlorofluoromethane, with a molecular formula of .
A Freon-11 sample of 4.121 g was combusted in excess oxygen. All the carbon in the compound was converted to carbon dioxide and in a separate process, all its chlorine was converted into hydrochloric acid. The carbon dioxide produced had a mass of 1.320 g and the hydrochloric acid formed, required 85.70 mL of 1.050 mol L of ammonia solution for complete neutralisation.
Another sample of the Freon-11 with a mass of 3.721 g occupied a volume of 0.6068 L at a pressure of 120.00 kPa and temperature of 50.6 °C.
Using the same data, use calculations and reasoning to demonstrate that this is the correct molecular formula.
Nonanoic acid, , has a number of industrial uses, including as a herbicide.
It can be synthesised in three steps.
Step 1: Coupling of two buta-1,3-diene molecules to give the unsaturated ester as shown in the equation below.
Step 2: Conversion of the unsaturated ester to a saturated ester as shown in the equation below.
Step 3: The ester, methylnonanoate, produced in Step 2 is reacted with water to produce the nonanoic acid as shown in the equation below.
A commercial brand of herbicide uses nonanoic acid at a concentration of 525 g L. The manufacturer of this herbicide produces L per day. If the overall process is 72% efficient, calculate the mass of buta-1,3-diene needed each day. Express your final answer to the appropriate number of significant figures.
The molar mass of nonanoic acid, is 158.234 g mol
The molar mass of buta-1,3-diene, is 54.088 g mol
The reaction in Step 3 is carried out using an excess of water. Reasons for this include:
i. it increases the rate of production and yield of nonanoic acid
ii. the methanol will readily dissolve in the water while the nonanoic acid will not. This allows these two compounds to be separated from each other.
Explain why using excess water will increase the rate of production of nonanoic acid and the yield of nonanoic acid.
Explain the difference in solubility of nonanoic acid and methanol in water.
Ethanol can be produced either from plant materials or from petrochemical sources.
When ethanol is produced from plant sources, the material is ground up. The starches and cellulose in the material are then converted into sugars. Yeast or zymase is mixed with the sugars at 25 to 37 °C and a pH of between 3 and 5 at atmospheric pressure. The products of the fermentation process are ethanol and carbon dioxide.
Ethanol can also be produced by the endothermic hydration of ethene. This is carried out at 250 to 300 °C and 6000 to 7000 kPa in the presence of an acid catalyst.
Justify the conditions used for fermentation.
Write an equation for the fermentation process, using as the sugar. Use condensed structures in your equation.
Write an equation for the hydration of ethene. Use condensed structures in your equation.
Justify the temperature and pressure used for the hydration of ethene.
State three reasons why the fermentation process to produce ethanol is more common than the hydration of ethene.