CAIE A Level Chemistry 9701 · Carboxylic acids and derivatives
A student has a sample of butanoic acid. In one experiment, the acid is warmed with an excess of lithium tetrahydridoaluminate(III) () in dry ether, followed by addition of water. In a second experiment, the acid is added to an excess of aqueous sodium carbonate. Compare these two reactions of butanoic acid. In your answer, name the organic product of each reaction, state the type of reaction taking place, and describe one observable change in each case.
5 marks, so the mark scheme is looking for about 5 separate creditworthy points. Making the same point twice in different words earns it once.
Compare means: Give similarities or differences between two things, and say which side each point belongs to. Write each point as a pair, for example: A is X, whereas B is Y. Two separate descriptions rarely earn the marks.
Written by Markquill to follow the Cambridge International syllabus. Markquill is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge International.