Skip to main content
A-LevelChemistryAnalytical techniquesMay/June 2023Paper 5 Q117 Marks

Three students are asked to prepare samples of benzoic acid, C6H5COOH, from the alkaline hydrolysis of methyl benzoate, C6H5COOCH3. Sodium benzoate, C6H5COONa, is the salt formed, which is then acidified with hydrochloric acid to form C6H5COOH. C6H5COOCH3(l) + NaOH(aq) → C6H5COONa(aq) + CH3OH(l) C6H5COONa(aq) + HCl(aq) → C6H5COOH(s) + NaCl(aq) The students use the following method. step 1 Put 1.242 g of liquid methyl benzoate into a 50cm³ round-bottomed flask. step 2 Prepare 100.0cm³ of 1.00 moldm⁻³ aqueous sodium hydroxide, NaOH(aq). step 3 Add 10cm³, an excess, of the prepared NaOH(aq) to the round-bottomed flask. step 4 Add some anti-bumping granules to the round-bottomed flask. step 5 Fit a condenser to make reflux apparatus. Reflux the reaction mixture for 20 minutes. step 6 Allow the reaction mixture to cool and carefully pour the liquid into a beaker. step 7 Acidify the liquid with dilute hydrochloric acid. step 8 Filter the mixture formed in step 7. step 9 Purify the benzoic acid by recrystallisation from hot water. Filter, dry and record the mass of pure benzoic acid obtained.

✓ Correct Answer

The correct answer is . This question tests the candidate's understanding of analytical techniques within the Chemistrysyllabus. The examiner's mark scheme requires...

📋 Examiner Report & Trap Analysis

Common mistake: 62% of candidates selected the distractor because they confused... The examiner specifically designed this question to test whether students can differentiate between... To secure full marks, candidates must demonstrate...

🔒

Unlock the Examiner's Answer

Sign up for free to reveal the correct answer, the official mark scheme breakdown, and the examiner trap analysis for this question.

Sign Up Free to Unlock →

Join thousands of Cambridge students already using Oracle Prep

About This A-Level Chemistry Question

This structured question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Chemistry (9701) May/June 2023 examination, Paper 5 Variant 2. It tests the topic of Analytical techniques and is worth 17 marks.

Oracle Prep provides AI-powered practice for all Cambridge O-Level and A-Level subjects. Our platform includes topic predictions with 87.7% accuracy, AI essay grading, and a comprehensive question bank spanning 25 years of past papers.

© 2026 Oracle Prep — The AI-Powered Cambridge Exam Engine