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A-LevelChemistryIntroduction to organic chemistry9701/22 · Oct/Nov 2023 · Q413 Marks

Lactic acid, CH3CH(OH)COOH, and pyruvic acid, CH3COCOOH, both contain two functional groups. [Figure 4.1] (structures of lactic acid and pyruvic acid)

  1. (a)(i)Explain why lactic acid exists as optical isomers.[1]
  2. (a)(ii)Give the systematic name of lactic acid.[1]
  3. (a)(iii)Lactic acid forms hydrogen bonds with water. Complete Fig. 4.2 to show the formation of a hydrogen bond between one molecule of lactic acid and one molecule of water. Label the hydrogen bond. Show any relevant dipoles and lone pairs of electrons. [Figure 4.2][3]
  4. (b)(i)Two possible syntheses of pyruvic acid are shown in Fig. 4.3 and Fig. 4.4. Each synthesis has a total of three steps. [Figure 4.3] (synthesis from propene) [Figure 4.4] (synthesis from ethanal) Complete the diagram in Fig. 4.5 to show the mechanism for the reaction of propene with Br2. Include charges, dipoles, lone pairs of electrons and curly arrows, as appropriate. [Figure 4.5][3]
  5. (b)(ii)Write an equation for the oxidation of lactic acid to pyruvic acid, the third step of Fig. 4.4. Use [O] to represent one atom of oxygen from an oxidising agent. CH3CH(OH)COOH +[1]
  6. (b)(iii)Complete Table 4.1 to give details of the reagents and conditions used in each of the two syntheses shown in Fig. 4.3 and Fig. 4.4. [Table 4.1] synthesis from propene (shown in Fig. 4.3) | synthesis from ethanal (shown in Fig. 4.4) ---|--- first step | Br2 | reagents and conditions used | second step | | third step | |[4]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [1] (it has molecules that) contain a chiral carbon / centre OR are non-superimposable mirror images
  2. [1] 2-hydroxypropanoic acid
  3. [1] dashed (or distinctly labelled) bond between O and H in different molecules of H-O-H and propanoic acid
  4. [1] correct sequence of three partial charges over the H-bond Ηδ+ Οδ--Ηδ+ OR Οδ- Ηδ+—Οδ-
  5. [1] lone pair on O in line with H-bond
  6. [1] curly arrow from C=C bond to Brδ+ AND curly arrow from Brδ+—Brδ− bond to Brδ- AND Brδ+ closest to the double bond
  7. [1] correct intermediate
  8. [1] curly arrow from lone pair on Br¯ to C(+) of the intermediate
  9. [1] CH3CH(OH)COOH + [O] → CH3COCOOH + H2O
  10. [1] HCN&KCN OR NaCN with H2SO4
  11. [1] NaOH(aq) (1)
  12. [1] dilute / aqueous)HCl / H2SO4 (1)
  13. [1] acidified K2Cr2O7

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About this question

Topic
Introduction to organic chemistry, A-Level Chemistry (syllabus 9701). Structured question, 13 marks.
Source
A-Level Chemistry, Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 2 Variant 2, question 4.

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