organic chemistry paper 2

Question 1

what are the conditions needed to oxidise ethanol to ethanoic acid in a lab?

Answer 1

• potassium dichromate (oxidising agent)
• sulfuric acid

the colour change is orange to green

Question 2

explain the proccess of microbial oxidation

Answer 2

some organisms use oxygen in the air to oxidise alcohols

Question 3

how can ethanol be produced?

Answer 3

• ethene + steam
• fermentation

Question 4

describe the conditions to react ethene with steam

Answer 4

• 300 degrees
• pressure 60-70 atm
• phosphoric acid catalyst

Question 5

explain why ethene and steam is an addition reaction

Answer 5

water is added to the molecule

Question 6

what are the advantages of producing ethanol from ethene?

Answer 6

• cheap
• produces pure ethanol

Question 7

What is a disadvantage of producing ethene from steam?

Answer 7

crude oil is a non-renewable source so will soon become very expensive

Question 8

explain how ethanol can be produced by fermentation

Answer 8

sugar e.g. glucose is converted to ethanol using yeat due to enzymes they use

Question 9

explain the conditions required to produce ethanol by fermentation

Answer 9

• 30 degrees - if too hot the yeast denatures and the reaction stops
• anaerobic conditions otherwise ethanoic acid will be produced

Question 10

what are some advantages of producing ethanol via fermentation?

Answer 10

• lower energy cost
• sugar cane is a renewable source

Question 11

what are some disadvantages of producing ethanol via fermentation?

Answer 11

• ethanol produced is impure so more expensive
• slower proccess

Question 12

give 2 uses of ethanol

Answer 12

• fuels
• solvents e.g. in perfume

Question 13

what is produced when a carboxylic acid reacts with a metal carbonate?

Answer 13

salt + water + carbon dioxide

Question 14

what is produced when a carboxylic acid reacts with a metal?

Answer 14

salt + hydrogen

Question 15

i.e. which food

where is ethanoic acid found?

Answer 15

vinegar

Question 16

How is an ester produced?

Answer 16

alcohol + carboxylic acid

Question 17

explain how to name an ester

Answer 17

the first part e.g. ethyl is from the alcohol used and the second part (anoate) is from the carboxylic acid used

Question 18

explain why esters are used in perfumes

Answer 18

they are volatile and have pleasant smells

Question 19

explain why addition polymers are difficult to dispose of

Answer 19

• they are inert are the carbon-carbon bonds are difficult to break
• meaning that it takes a long time for them to biodegrade so take up space in landfills
• when burned they release toxic gases that are harmful to humans

Question 20

explain why polyesters are condensation polymers

Answer 20

for each new bond in the polymer that forms, a molecule of water is lost

Question 21

which monomers are needed to produce a condensation polymer?

Answer 21

dicarboxylic acids are diol monomers

the ‘di’ signifies two functional groups

Question 22

give an example of a diol

Answer 22

ethanediol

Question 23

give an example of a dicarboxylic acid

Answer 23

ethanedioic acid

Question 24

give an example of a polyester

Answer 24

poly(ethyl ethanoate)

Question 25

what property of polyesters reduces their pollutant effect on the environment?

Answer 25

they are biodegradable