CAIE A Level Chemistry 9701 · Organic synthesis
A student plans to prepare a diamide from a diacid. The diacid has the formula and the amine is . The student proposes the following two-step route:
Step 1: the diacid is warmed with an excess of ethanol and a few drops of concentrated . Step 2: the product of Step 1 is warmed with an excess of .
Describe the type of reaction in each step, the reagents and conditions used, and the structures of the organic products formed in each step.
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.
Describe means: Say what happens or what something is like, in order and with detail. You are not being asked why. If there is data, quote it: name the trend, then give figures with units at the points where it changes.
Written by Markquill to follow the Cambridge International syllabus. Markquill is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge International.