Carbonyl compounds: past paper questions
Real questions on carbonyl compounds
The newest 13 of 13 written questions, plus 41 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9701/22 · October/November 2025 · Q4c(ii)[1]
Construct an equation to represent reaction 3. Use [O] to represent an atom of oxygen from the oxidising agent.
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · October/November 2025 · Q8d(ii)[4]
Complete the mechanism in Fig. 8.2 for the reaction of RCOBr with H 2 O. (ii) Include all relevant lone pairs of electrons, curly arrows, charges and dipoles. Draw the structure of the intermediate. intermediate O C R products Br O H H
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · October/November 2025 · Q9a[2]
Explain why amides are much weaker bases than amines.
See it on the paper → - 9701/21 · May/June 2025 · Q6a[1]
State the functional group in ethanal, propanal and propanone.
See it on the paper → - 9701/21 · May/June 2025 · Q6b[2]
State a reagent and the relevant observation that confirm that F, G and H have the same functional group. reagent
See it on the paper → - 9701/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4d(ii)[1]
Name the homologous series that F belongs to.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · May/June 2022 · Q9b(iii)[1]
The reaction between cyclohexylamine and an excess of CH 3 COCl forms compound M. Compound M has the molecular formula C 10 H 17 NO 2 . Suggest and draw the structure of M. [Total: 9]
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · October/November 2021 · Q9b(i)[1]
Name the functional group formed in stage 2.
See it on the paper → - 9701/22 · February/March 2021 · Q4b[2]
Hydroxyethanal reacts separately with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH) and with Tollens’ reagent. State what you would observe in each reaction. reaction with 2,4-DNPH reaction with Tollens’ reagent
See it on the paper → - 9701/21 · May/June 2020 · Q5c(i)[1]
Name an organic functional group which reacts with a nucleophile in an addition reaction.
See it on the paper → - 9701/21 · October/November 2019 · Q4c(vii)[3]
X contains a carbonyl group. X reacts with HCN, in the presence of a small amount of NaCN, to form (C 2 H 5 ) 2 C(OH)CN as shown. X + HCN (C 2 H 5 ) 2 C(OH)CN Draw the mechanism of the reaction of X with HCN. ● ● raw the structure of X and the intermediate. D Include all charges, partial charges, lone pairs and c...
See it on the paper → - 9701/21 · October/November 2019 · Q4c(viii)[1]
State the role of NaCN in the reaction in (c)(vii). [Total: 22]
See it on the paper → - 9701/21 · May/June 2019 · Q4d(i)[1]
Identify all of the compound(s), A–D, that contain a carbonyl group.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
This was generally well answered. Some candidates incorrectly suggested the CH3CO− group would substitute for an H atom in the cyclohexyl ring.
— Examiner report, May/June 2022, 9701/42 Q9(b)(iii) (Cambridge)
This mechanism was generally poorly answered. The structure of X, (C2H5)2C=O, with the correct polarity on the C=O group was the most common mark credited. Many candidates incorrectly showed arrows originating from the C atom, of the C=O group, rather than the middle of the π bond, or arrows not specifically from a lone pair of electrons. Many intermediate structures correctly showed a negative ch...
— Examiner report, October/November 2019, 9701/21 Q4(c)(vii) (Cambridge)
The catalytic role of the presence of a small amount of NaCN in this reaction was generally well recognised.
— Examiner report, October/November 2019, 9701/21 Q4(c)(viii) (Cambridge)
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