Phenylethanone is an important chemical with many uses. phenylethanone [Figure of phenylethanone structure]
- (a)Phenylethanone can be synthesised using benzene as one of the starting materials. Identify the other reagents used and describe any essential reaction conditions.[2]
- (b)Phenylethanone is treated separately with three reagents. Complete the table, for each reagent, to give the structural formula of one organic product formed and the name of the mechanism involved. If there is no reaction you should write 'no reaction'.[5]
- (c)(i)Phenylethanone reacts with HCN in the presence of a small amount of NaCN. Name the mechanism of this reaction.[1]
- (c)(ii)Draw the mechanism of this reaction below. Include all relevant charges, dipoles, lone pairs and curly arrows. Your mechanism should show the catalytic role of CN⁻ ions.[4]
- (d)(i)Phenylethanone can be used as a starting material to make phenylethene in a two-step synthesis. [Figure showing phenylethanone -> D -> phenylethene] Draw the structure of compound D in the box.[1]
- (d)(ii)Identify a suitable reagent for step 1.[1]
- (d)(iii)Identify a suitable reagent for step 2.[1]
- (d)(iv)State the number of peaks in the C-13 NMR spectrum of phenylethene.[1]
- (d)(v)Suggest C-13 chemical shift ranges expected for the different types of carbon environment in phenylethanone.[2]
This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.
Mark scheme
Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.
- [2] M1: CH3COCl or ethanoyl chloride M2: AlCl3 catalyst
- [5] reagent: Cl₂ organic product: [Figure of phenylethanone with -CH₂Cl on side chain] name of mechanism: free radical substitution reagent: nitric / sulfuric acid organic product: [Figure of phenylethanone with -NO₂ at meta position] name of mechanism: electrophilic substitution reagent: Br₂ organic product: no reaction with Br₂ Award 1 mark for each correct entry to the table [5]
- [1] nucleophilic addition
- [4] M1 and M2: first structure – award one mark for two points correct, award two marks for four points correct. correct polarity shown on C=O bond curly arrow from double bond to O of the C=O lone pair shown on C of CN⁻ ion curly arrow from C (on CN⁻ ion) to C of C=O M3: middle structure correct intermediate AND curly arrow from lone pair on O⁻ to H⁺ or H of H₂O or HCN M4: third structure correct product AND either CN⁻ reformed (if HCN seen in step 2) OR curly arrow on H-CN bond towards CN in step 2
- [1] [Figure of 1-phenyl-1-ethanol, C₆H₅CH(OH)CH₃]
- [1] LiAlH₄ or NaBH₄
- [1] conc H₂SO₄ / conc H₃PO₄ / Al₂O₃
- [1] 6
- [2] • 25-50 • 110-160 • 190-220 Award 1 mark for two points, award 2 marks for three points
Write your answer and get it marked
On Oracle Prep you can write or photograph your own answer and have it marked by AI against this mark scheme, with feedback on what you missed.
Sign up free →