CAIE A Level Chemistry 9701 · Organic synthesis

Organic synthesis: compare question

Compare5 marksStandard

A student prepares compound X, $\ce{CH3COCH2CH2CO2CH3}$ , a keto-ester. The student treats X with aqueous sodium hydroxide, then with dilute hydrochloric acid, and obtains compound Y. In a separate experiment, the student treats X with warm aqueous bromine and observes that the bromine is decolourised.

Compare the reactions of X with aqueous sodium hydroxide and with warm aqueous bromine. In your answer, identify the functional groups present in X, state the type of reaction occurring in each case, and name the reagent(s) and condition(s) needed for each reaction.

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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.

Organic synthesis: compare question

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