Hydrocarbons: past paper questions
Real questions on hydrocarbons
The newest 20 of 25 written questions, plus 85 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9701/21 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[2]
Cyclopentane, C 5 H 10 , has four cyclic structural isomers. One of these isomers is C, shown in Fig. 3.1. Complete Fig. 3.1 to show two other cyclic structural isomers of C 5 H 10 . cyclopentane C
See it on the paper → - 9701/23 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[2]
Cyclopentane, C 5 H 10 , has four cyclic structural isomers. One of these isomers is C, shown in Fig. 3.1. Complete Fig. 3.1 to show two other cyclic structural isomers of C 5 H 10 . cyclopentane C
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2025 · Q7b(i)[1]
Identify the two compounds that give a positive result with alkaline I 2 (aq). and
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2025 · Q7b(ii)[2]
Describe the observations when one of the compounds you have identified in (b)(i) is treated with alkaline I 2 (aq) and give the structural formulae of the two carbon-containing products of this reaction. observations two carbon-containing products P CH 3 (CH 2 ) 3 CHO Q CH 3 CH 2 CH(CH 3 )CHO R (CH 3 ) 2 CHCH 2 CHO S...
See it on the paper → - 9701/22 · February/March 2025 · Q1c(i)[1]
State what is meant by unsaturated.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · February/March 2025 · Q6c(iii)[4]
Aromatic compound X gives a yellow precipitate when it reacts with alkaline I 2 (aq). Use the information in (c) to suggest a structure for X. Explain your reasoning. X, C 8 H 8 O Table 6.2 environment of carbon atom carbon-13 NMR chemical shift range δ / ppm alkyl CH 3 –, CH 2 –, –CH<, >C< 0–50 next to alkene/arene –C...
See it on the paper → - 9701/43 · October/November 2024 · Q8b(i)[1]
Name the two products formed when phenol reacts with an excess of Br 2 (aq). and (b) (i)
See it on the paper → - 9701/43 · October/November 2024 · Q8b(ii)[1]
Draw the structures of the two isomeric organic products, with M r = 139, that are formed when phenol reacts with HNO 3 (aq) at room temperature.
See it on the paper → - 9701/22 · May/June 2024 · Q4e(ii)[3]
Describe the essential feature of an unbranched hydrocarbon that causes its molecules to show stereoisomerism. Explain how this feature leads to stereoisomerism. ,
See it on the paper → - 9701/23 · October/November 2022 · Q4c[1]
Draw the structure of the cis isomer of C2.
See it on the paper → - 9701/21 · May/June 2021 · Q5a(i)[1]
What is meant by the term hydrocarbon?
See it on the paper → - 9701/21 · May/June 2021 · Q5a(ii)[1]
Name the raw material that is used to produce a sample of naphtha.
See it on the paper → - 9701/21 · May/June 2021 · Q5b(i)[1]
Name the process that describes this reaction.
See it on the paper → - 9701/21 · May/June 2021 · Q5b(ii)[1]
Deduce the structure of W. Draw its structure below.
See it on the paper → - 9701/21 · May/June 2021 · Q5c(ii)[1]
Identify a reagent which could be used to show that X contains a C=C. Include relevant observations.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2020 · Q7c(i)[1]
Write an equation for this reaction. You may use structural or displayed formulae.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2020 · Q7c(ii)[1]
Name the organic product of this reaction.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2020 · Q7c(iii)[1]
Describe two observations that can be seen when phenylamine reacts with Br 2 (aq). observation observation
See it on the paper → - 9701/51 · October/November 2020 · Q2c(iii)[1]
Suggest the identity of the alkane gas. Explain your suggestion.
See it on the paper → - 9701/23 · May/June 2020 · Q4c(i)[1]
Draw the structural formula of A.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
There were some very good answers seen. Candidates needed to carefully consider all the information given in 6(c) to draw a correct structure of X. They were told X was an aromatic compound and there was a positive triiodomethane test. This suggested CH 3CO─ bonded to the benzene ring. The loss of the two NMR signals in D 2O solvent suggested there were also two ─OH groups attached to the ring. Th...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9701/42 Q6(c)(iii) (Cambridge)
The structures for the cis isomer of hex-2-ene (C2), were generally correctly drawn.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 9701/23 Q4(c) (Cambridge)
Many candidates’ responses showed a lack of understanding of the term raw material.
— Examiner report, May/June 2021, 9701/21 Q5(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
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