Fig. 4.1 shows how propane, C₃H₈, can be converted to propanoic acid, CH₃CH₂COOH. [Figure 4.1]
- (a)(i)Reaction 1 in Fig. 4.1 takes place in the presence of sunlight. C₃H₈ + Cl₂ → CH₃CH₂CH₂Cl + HCl The reaction takes place via initiation, propagation and termination steps. Name the mechanism shown by reaction 1.[1]
- (a)(ii)Complete the mechanism for reaction 1. Construct equations to describe the steps of the mechanism. initiation Cl₂ → 2Cl• propagation 1 propagation 2 termination ........................................................................................ → CH₃CH₂CH₂Cl[3]
- (a)(iii)Reaction 1 is initiated by the bond fission of Cl₂. State the type of bond fission shown in the initiation step.[1]
- (a)(iv)Compound Q is a by-product of reaction 1. [Structure of Q] Name Q.[1]
- (a)(v)The molecular formula of Q is C₃H₆Cl₂. Identify the types of structural isomerism and stereoisomerism that a molecule with molecular formula C₃H₆Cl₂ can show. type of structural isomerism ................................................................ type of stereoisomerism ................................................................[2]
- (b)State the reagent and solvent required for reaction 2.[1]
- (c)(i)Reaction 3 takes place when CH₃CH₂CH₂OH is heated under reflux with acidified potassium dichromate(VI) solution. State the colour change that takes place in the reaction mixture.[1]
- (c)(ii)Construct an equation to represent reaction 3. Use [O] to represent an atom of oxygen from the oxidising agent.[1]
- (d)(i)CH₃CH₂COOH reacts with an unsaturated alcohol R to form unsaturated ester S. State the type of reaction that forms S.[1]
- (d)(ii)The infrared spectrum of S is shown in Fig. 4.2. [Figure 4.2] Three absorptions in the infrared spectrum in Fig. 4.2 confirm that S is an ester and is unsaturated. • Write 1, 2 or 3 on Fig. 4.2 against each of these three absorptions. • Complete Table 4.1 to show which bond is responsible for each absorption that you have identified in Fig. 4.2. [Table 4.1][3]
- (d)(iii)The mass spectrum of S shows the following peaks. [Table 4.3] Use Table 4.3 to calculate the number of carbon atoms in S. number of carbon atoms in S = ............................................................[1]
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Mark scheme
Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.
- [1] free-radical substitution
- [3] M1 C₃H₈ + Cl• → CH₃CH₂CH₂• + HCl OR C₃H₈ + Cl• → C₃H₇• + HCl M2 CH₃CH₂CH₂• + Cl₂ → CH₃CH₂CH₂Cl + Cl• OR C₃H₇• + Cl₂ → C₃H₇Cl + Cl• etc M3 CH₃CH₂CH₂• + Cl• → CH₃CH₂CH₂Cl OR C₃H₇• + Cl• → CH₃CH₂CH₂Cl
- [1] homolytic
- [1] 1,2-dichloropropane
- [2] M1 (type of structural isomerism) positional M2 (type of stereoisomerism) optical
- [1] sodium hydroxide AND water
- [1] orange to green
- [1] CH₃CH₂CH₂OH + 2[O] → CH₃CH₂COOH + H₂O
- [1] condensation
- [3] M1 absorption labelled at approx. 1750 cm⁻¹ identified as C=O M2 absorption labelled at approx. 1650 cm⁻¹ identified as C=C M3 absorption labelled at approx. 1170 cm⁻¹ identified as C–O
- [1] (0.31 / 4.7 × 100 / 1.1) = 6 carbon atoms
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