CAIE A Level Chemistry 9701 · Organic synthesis
A student plans to prepare the ester propyl propanoate by refluxing propan-1-ol with propanoic acid and a few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid. Instead of propan-1-ol, the student uses propan-2-ol, a secondary alcohol, under the same conditions.
Describe the by-products that are likely to form when propan-2-ol is used, and explain how each by-product arises.
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.
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