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A-LevelChemistryHydrocarbons9701/42 · Oct/Nov 2025 · Q914 Marks

Compound X is made from benzene by the route shown in Fig. 9.1. [Figure 9.1]

  1. (a)Describe the bonding in benzene, C6H6. Your answer should include: • the hybridisation of the six carbon atoms • the types of bond between the carbon atoms • the orbitals that overlap to produce the bonds between the carbon atoms • the type of bond between the carbon atoms and the hydrogen atoms • the orbitals that overlap to produce the bonds between the carbon atoms and the hydrogen atoms.[3]
  2. (b)Describe the reagents and conditions required for step 1 in Fig. 9.1.[1]
  3. (c)In step 1 of Fig. 9.1 benzene reacts with +CH3. Complete Fig. 9.2 to show the mechanism for this reaction, including: • the movement of electron pairs using curly arrows • the structure of the intermediate involved. [Figure 9.2][3]
  4. (d)Describe the reagents and conditions required for step 2 of Fig. 9.1.[2]
  5. (e)Identify the reagents required for step 3 of Fig. 9.1. Compound W is the product of this step.[1]
  6. (f)Name compound W.[1]
  7. (g)The reagents commonly used for step 4 will not reduce the –COOH group. Identify the reagents and conditions required for step 4 of Fig. 9.1.[1]
  8. (h)Benzene can also be used as a starting material to make compound Y. [compound Y structure] Describe how the route described in Fig. 9.1 (repeated below) can be changed to give compound Y instead of compound X. Explain your answer. [Figure 9.1 repeated][2]

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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. [1] • all C atoms are sp² hybridised
  2. [1] • bonds between C atoms are σ and π
  3. [1] • C-C σ bonds are formed by overlap of sp² hybrid orbitals
  4. [1] • C-C π bonds are formed by overlap of p orbitals
  5. [1] • bonds between C and H atoms are σ
  6. [1] • C-H bonds are formed by overlap of sp2 hybrid orbitals and s orbitals
  7. [3] Any two [1], any four [2], all six [3]
  8. [1] CH3Cl and AlCl3
  9. [1] M1: curly arrow from within hexagon towards +C
  10. [1] M2: intermediate, usual rules for horseshoe and + charge
  11. [1] M3: curly arrow from C–H bond into ring AND H+ product
  12. [1] M1: HNO3 AND H2SO4
  13. [1] M2: concentrated AND 25 °C < T < 60 °C
  14. [1] alkaline KMnO4
  15. [1] 4-nitrobenzoic acid
  16. [1] (hot) concentrated HCl and Sn
  17. [1] M1: perform step 3 before step 2 OR perform step 2 before step 1
  18. [1] M2: COOH is 3-directing OR NO2 is 3-directing

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About this question

Topic
Hydrocarbons, A-Level Chemistry (syllabus 9701). Structured question, 14 marks.
Source
A-Level Chemistry, Oct/Nov 2025 Paper 4 Variant 2, question 9.

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