IGCSE Chemistry Organic chemistry topical questions

Name the homologous series to which each compound belongs.

1. (a)C₂H₆[1]
2. (b)C₃H₆[1]
3. (c)C₂H₅OH[1]

Natural gas is a fossil fuel burned in power stations and homes.

1. (a)State what is meant by the term hydrocarbon.[1]
2. (b)Name the main constituent of natural gas.[1]

Methane, CH₄, and ethene, C₂H₄, are both hydrocarbons.

1. (a)State which of the two is saturated.[1]
2. (b)Give a reason for your answer to part (a).[1]
3. (c)Name the homologous series of ethene.[1]

Crude petroleum is heated at the base of a fractionating column.

1. (a)Name the process that separates the petroleum.[1]
2. (b)Explain why the hydrocarbons separate into fractions.[2]
3. (c)State how the viscosity of the fractions changes from the bottom to the top of the column.[1]

Decane, C₁₀H₂₂, can be broken down into smaller molecules in an industrial process.

1. (a)Name the process and state two conditions used.[3]
2. (b)One possible product set is C₈H₁₈ and C₂H₄. State the homologous series of C₂H₄.[1]

Chlorine gas is mixed with methane in bright sunlight. (Supplement)

1. (a)Name the type of reaction that takes place.[1]
2. (b)State what provides the energy for the reaction.[1]
3. (c)Name the two products of the reaction in which one chlorine atom replaces one hydrogen atom.[2]

Orange-brown aqueous bromine is shaken separately with samples of methane, ethene and but-1-ene.

1. (a)State what is observed with the methane sample.[1]
2. (b)State what is observed with the ethene and but-1-ene samples, and explain the reason common to both.[2]
3. (c)Ethene is reacted with hydrogen in the presence of a nickel catalyst. Name the product.[1]

A chemical company produces ethanol by two different routes.

1. (a)State the temperature, pressure and catalyst used when ethanol is made from ethene and steam.[2]
2. (b)State two advantages of making ethanol by fermentation rather than from ethene.[2]
3. (c)State one disadvantage of the fermentation route.[1]

Polymer chemistry underpins both carrier bags and clothing.

1. (a)Name the monomer of poly(ethene) and describe its repeat unit.[2]
2. (b)State two differences between addition and condensation polymerisation.[2]
3. (c)Name the natural condensation polymer made from amino acid monomers.[1]

Ethanol is warmed with ethanoic acid in the presence of a few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid. A sweet-smelling liquid collects. (Supplement)

1. (a)Name the sweet-smelling product and state its homologous series.[2]
2. (b)Write the word equation for the reaction.[1]
3. (c)State the role of the concentrated sulfuric acid.[1]
4. (d)State one use of compounds of this family.[1]