SCSA Chemistry Properties and structure of organic materials

5 sample questions with marking guides and sample answers

Q6
2025
SCSA
1 mark
Q6
1 mark

Which of the following will decolourise a solution of bromine water?

A

1.0 mol L1^{-1} Fe(NO3)3Fe(NO_3)_3 solution

B

1.0 mol L1^{-1} KCl solution

C

CH3CH2CH2CH2CHOCH_3CH_2CH_2CH_2CHO

D

CH3CH2CHCHCH3CH_3CH_2CHCHCH_3

Q20
2024
SCSA
1 mark
Q20
1 mark

Classify the type of reaction represented in the following equation:

CH2CH2(g)+HCl(g)CH2ClCH3(l)CH_2CH_2(g) + HCl(g) \rightarrow CH_2ClCH_3(l)

A

addition

B

oxidation

C

combustion

D

condensation

Q39
2025
SCSA
14 marks
Q39
14 marks

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 CCl3FCCl_3F.

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 L1^{-1} 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.

Q37
2025
SCSA
16 marks
Q37

Nonanoic acid, CH3(CH2)7COOHCH_3(CH_2)_7COOH, 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.

2H2C=CHCH=CH2()+CO(g)+CH3OH()H2C=CH(CH2)3CH=CHCH2COOCH3()2 H_2C=CHCH=CH_2(\ell) + CO(g) + CH_3OH(\ell) \leftrightharpoons H_2C=CH(CH_2)_3CH=CHCH_2COOCH_3(\ell)

Step 2: Conversion of the unsaturated ester to a saturated ester as shown in the equation below.

H2C=CH(CH2)3CH=CHCH2COOCH3()+2H2(g)CH3(CH2)7COOCH3()H_2C=CH(CH_2)_3CH=CHCH_2COOCH_3(\ell) + 2 H_2(g) \leftrightharpoons CH_3(CH_2)_7COOCH_3(\ell)

Step 3: The ester, methylnonanoate, produced in Step 2 is reacted with water to produce the nonanoic acid as shown in the equation below.

CH3(CH2)7COOCH3()+H2O()CH3(CH2)7COOH()+CH3OH(aq)CH_3(CH_2)_7COOCH_3(\ell) + H_2O(\ell) \leftrightharpoons CH_3(CH_2)_7COOH(\ell) + CH_3OH(aq)

Q37a
7 marks

A commercial brand of herbicide uses nonanoic acid at a concentration of 525 g L1^{-1}. The manufacturer of this herbicide produces 5.0×1035.0 \times 10^3 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, CH3(CH2)7COOHCH_3(CH_2)_7COOH is 158.234 g mol1^{-1}
The molar mass of buta-1,3-diene, H2C=CHCH=CH2H_2C=CHCH=CH_2 is 54.088 g mol1^{-1}

Q37b
3 marks

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.

Q37c
6 marks

Explain the difference in solubility of nonanoic acid and methanol in water.

Q39
2023
SCSA
15 marks
Q39

Ethanol can be produced either from plant materials or from petrochemical sources.

Q39a

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.

Q39b

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.

Q39a (i)
2 marks

Justify the conditions used for fermentation.

Q39a (ii)
2 marks

Write an equation for the fermentation process, using C6H12O6C_6H_{12}O_6 as the sugar. Use condensed structures in your equation.

Q39b (i)
3 marks

Write an equation for the hydration of ethene. Use condensed structures in your equation.

Q39b (ii)
5 marks

Justify the temperature and pressure used for the hydration of ethene.

Q39c
3 marks

State three reasons why the fermentation process to produce ethanol is more common than the hydration of ethene.

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