A LevelChemistryCIETopic Questions33. Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives (AL)33.1 Carboxylic Acids (AL)

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First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

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Carboxylic Acids (AL) (CIE A Level Chemistry)

Topic Questions

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1a1 mark

Benzoic acid can be formed from the oxidation of methylbenzene. 

Draw the displayed formula of benzoic acid.

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1b5 marks
i)
State the reagents and conditions needed to oxidise methylbenzene to benzoic acid. 

[3]

ii)
Give two observations that could be made during this reaction.

[2]

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1c1 mark

Write an equation to show that benzoic acid acts as a weak acid. 

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1a3 marks

Describe and explain the relative acidities of benzoic acid, phenylmethanol and 4-methylphenol shown in Fig. 1.1. 

img-2558

Fig. 1.1

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1b5 marks

The ester 4-methylphenyl benzoate is used in the manufacture of perfumes and can be formed in two steps from two of the compounds shown in Fig. 1.1 in part (a).

i)
Draw the skeletal formula of 4-methylphenyl benzoate.
 
[1]
 
ii)
Suggest the two-step route for the synthesis of 4-methylphenyl benzoate. Include reagents and conditions for each step and the structure of the intermediate compound. 
 
step 1 .........................................................
 
step 2 .........................................................
 
[4]

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1c2 marks

State the reagents and conditions required to form benzoic acid from methylbenzene.

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1a3 marks

Benzoic acid can be formed from methylbenzene. 

This process occurs in two stages. 

methylbenzene       rightwards arrow with Step space 1 on top   potassium benzoate    rightwards arrow with Step space 2 on top  benzoic acid        

 

i)
Draw the displayed formula for methylbenzene.
[1]
ii)
Draw the displayed formula for benzoic acid.
[1]

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1b3 marks
i)
Name the reaction that takes place in step 1.  
[1]
ii)
Describe the conditions and reagents needed for step 1 and 2 of this reaction.

step 1: ............................................................


step 2: ...........................................................
[2]

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1c2 marks

Describe the observations that could be made during step 1.

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1d3 marks

Describe and explain the relative acidities of benzoic acid and phenol. 

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2a1 mark

Fig. 2.1 shows three different molecules.

screenshot-2024-03-22-093327

Fig. 2.1 

Propan-1-ol can react with sodium metal. 

Write an equation for this reaction. 

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2b3 marks
i)
Give the order of the relative acidities of the propanoic acid, propan-1-ol and phenol, stating the least acidic first. 
[1]
ii)
Explain your answer to part (b)(i). 
[2]

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2c2 marks

Another carboxylic acid, methanoic acid is similar to propanoic acid in terms of its acidity. 

i)
Name a reagent which could be used to distinguish between these two acids.
[1]
ii)
Name the acid which gives a positive result in this test and describe the observations that would be made.
[1]

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3a1 mark

The acyl chloride, ethanedioyl dichloride is shown in Fig. 3.1.

This can be synthesised from compound X in a single step. 

screenshot-2024-03-20-115413

Fig. 3.1

Suggest the identify of compound X. 

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3b1 mark

State the reagents and conditions needed to convert X into ClCOCOCl.

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3c3 marks

A different acyl chloride was used to synthesize ethyl butanoate. 

i)
Draw the displayed formula of the acyl chloride  
[1]
ii)
Name the mechanism by which ethyl butanoate is formed.
[1]
iii)
Name the second produce formed in this reaction. 
[1]

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