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A-LevelChemistryHydroxy compounds9701/41 · Oct/Nov 2020 · Q711 Marks

Phenol, C6H5OH, is a weak acid.

  1. (a)Phenol can be made from phenylamine, C6H5NH2. Give the reagents and conditions for this reaction.[2]
  2. (b)Phenol reacts with dilute aqueous nitric acid under room conditions to give a mixture of two isomeric products with molecular formula C6H5NO3. Use the Data Booklet to draw the structural formulae of these two products in the boxes and name each product. [Figure shows two empty boxes labelled 'name'][2]
  3. (c)(i)Phenol reacts with an excess of aqueous bromine. Draw and name the organic product of this reaction in the box. [Figure shows an empty box labelled 'name'][2]
  4. (c)(ii)Describe two visual observations that can be made when phenol reacts with an excess of aqueous bromine.[1]
  5. (d)Write an equation for a neutralisation reaction in which phenol behaves as an acid.[1]
  6. (e)Water, phenol and ethanol can all behave as acids. Place these three compounds in order of acidity, starting with the most acidic. Explain your answer.[3]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [1] M1: HNO2 OR NaNO2 + HCl
  2. [1] M2: T ≥ 10 °C / warm AND water
  3. [1] (b) Structure for 2-nitrophenol
  4. [1] (b) Name: 2-nitrophenol
  5. [1] (b) Structure for 4-nitrophenol
  6. [1] (b) Name: 4-nitrophenol
  7. [1] (c)(i) Structure for 2,4,6-tribromophenol
  8. [1] (c)(i) Name: 2,4,6-tribromophenol
  9. [1] bromine is decolourised AND white precipitate is formed BOTH
  10. [1] C6H5OH + NaOH → C6H5ONa + H2O ALLOW any equation for phenol acting as an acid
  11. [1] phenol>water>ethanol
  12. [1] (explanation) (phenol:) lone pair on oxygen is delocalised into the benzene ring
  13. [1] (explanation) (ethanol:) positive inductive effect / electron donating effect of alkyl / ethyl group
  14. [1] (explanation) correct statement about stabilisation of anion/ conjugate base OR weakening of O-H bonds once in the context of phenol / ethanol
  15. [1] (explanation) correct statement about ease of proton/H+ donation in the context of phenol / ethanol (Two correct statements = 1 mark)

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About this question

Topic
Hydroxy compounds, A-Level Chemistry (syllabus 9701). Structured question, 11 marks.
Source
A-Level Chemistry, Oct/Nov 2020 Paper 4 Variant 1, question 7.

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