Characteristic organic reactions: past paper questions
Real questions on characteristic organic reactions
The newest 20 of 249 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9701/41 · May/June 2026 · Q7b(iii)[1]
The first stage of the mechanism for the reaction in Figure 7.2 involves the formation of ion J. Complete the mechanism in Figure 7.3 to show the formation of J by adding dipoles and curly arrows, as appropriate. J H + H O O + Figure 7.3
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · May/June 2026 · Q7b(iv)[3]
The next stage of the mechanism involves the reaction between J and phenol to form intermediate K. A proton is then lost from K to produce G. Complete Figure 7.4 to show these stages of the mechanism. Include relevant curly arrows and charges. intermediate K OH G OH + H + H O + OH Figure 7.4
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · May/June 2026 · Q7b(v)[2]
Benzene is mixed with propanone in the presence of H + (aq). Predict whether benzene reacts with propanone more readily, as readily or less readily than phenol does under the same conditions. Explain your answer. Benzene reacts with propanone than phenol does. explanation
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · May/June 2026 · Q7c(i)[2]
Complete the equation for this reaction in Figure 7.5. H G OH + 2 Br 2 + OH Figure 7.5
See it on the paper → - 9701/23 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(ii)[2]
Suggest a suitable reagent for reaction 2.
See it on the paper → - 9701/23 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(iv)[1]
C 2 H 5 CH 2 OH can be directly converted to C 3 H 6 . Suggest the reagent and conditions for this conversion.
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · October/November 2025 · Q8b(ii)[2]
Suggest reagents and conditions for reactions 1 and 2 in Fig. 8.1. reaction
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · October/November 2025 · Q8c[3]
Separate samples of C 6 H 5 Br and C 6 H 5 CH 2 Br are added to warm AgNO 3 (aq). State the expected observations, if any. Explain your answer. C 6 H 5 Br with AgNO 3 (aq) C 6 H 5 CH 2 Br with AgNO 3 (aq) explanation
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · October/November 2025 · Q8d(i)[1]
Name the mechanism of this reaction.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2025 · Q9c[3]
In step 1 of Fig. 9.1 benzene reacts with + CH 3 . Complete Fig. 9.2 to show the mechanism for this reaction, including: • • the movement of electron pairs using curly arrows the structure of the intermediate involved. intermediate + + CH CH 3
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2025 · Q9d[2]
Describe the reagents and conditions required for step 2 of Fig. 9.1.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2025 · Q9e[1]
Identify the reagents required for step 3 of Fig. 9.1. Compound W is the product of this step.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2025 · Q9f[1]
Name compound W.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2025 · Q9g[1]
The reagents commonly used for step 4 will not reduce the –COOH group. Identify the reagents and conditions required for step 4 of Fig. 9.1.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2025 · Q9h[2]
Benzene can also be used as a starting material to make compound Y. compound Y NH 2 COOH Describe how the route described in Fig. 9.1 (repeated below) can be changed to give compound Y instead of compound X. Explain your answer. benzene NO 2 step 1 step 2 CH 3 W X NO 2 NH 2 step 3 CH 3 step 4 COOH COOH Fig. 9.
See it on the paper → - 9701/43 · October/November 2025 · Q7b[2]
Fig. 7.1 shows the reaction of methylbenzene and ethanedioic acid with KMnO 4 . Predict the major carbon-containing product for each of these reactions. methylbenzene hot alkaline KMnO 4 hot acidified KMnO 4 HO O OH ethanedioic acid O
See it on the paper → - 9701/43 · 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 → - 9701/21 · May/June 2025 · Q6c(ii)[1]
Identify the yellow precipitate produced when alkaline I 2 (aq) is added to separate samples of F and G.
See it on the paper → - 9701/22 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(i)[1]
Define addition reaction.
See it on the paper → - 9701/22 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(ii)[4]
Complete Fig. 3.1 to show the mechanism for the addition reaction between C 3 H 6 and HBr to produce 2‑bromopropane. Include charges, dipoles, lone pairs of electrons and curly arrows, as appropriate. H 3 C H C CH 3 C H H H H CH 3 Br Br C
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What examiners said
Full credit for the hydrolysis reaction was rarely awarded. The two organic products are methanol, CH3OH, and the diacid. That both the –CN and –CO2CH3 groups will undergo hydrolysis was not recognised by many candidates. The –CN group was frequently left unhydrolysed and the product methanol was not given as the second organic product.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9701/21 Q2(c) (Cambridge)
Some candidates identified A as steam or H2O(g), other candidates were less precise and identified A as water. A common incorrect answer was NaOH.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9701/22 Q3(c)(i) (Cambridge)
Description of this esterification reaction as a condensation reaction was relatively well known. Incorrect answers included hydrolysis and oxidation.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9701/22 Q3(c)(iii) (Cambridge)
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