A LevelChemistryCambridge (CIE)Exam Questions18. Carboxylic Acids & DerivativesEsters

Esters (Cambridge (CIE) A Level Chemistry): Exam Questions

Exam code: 9701

1 hour18 questions

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Esters

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1
1 mark

How many isomeric esters, including stereoisomers, can be synthesised from the reaction of methanoic acid with an alcohol of formula C4H10O?

  • 3

  • 4

  • 5

  • 6

Choose your answer

2
1 mark

The structure of ester E is shown in the diagram below.

Structural formula of 3-methylbutan-1-yl ethanoate (ester E)

E is hydrolysed in the presence of hydrochloric acid.

Which are the products of this hydrolysis?

  • CH3CO2H and (CH3)2CHCH2CH2CHO

  • CH3CO2H and (CH3)2CHCH2CH2OH

  • CH3COCl and (CH3)2CHCH2CH2OH

  • CH3CHO and (CH3)2CHCH2CH2OH

Choose your answer

3
1 mark

The ester shown is responsible for the odour of bananas.

Structural formula of 3-methylbutan-1-yl ethanoate, the ester responsible for the odour of bananas

Which pair of compounds reacts to form this ester?

  • Structural formulae of reactant pair A: a branched-chain carboxylic acid and an unbranched alcohol
  • Structural formulae of reactant pair B: a branched-chain carboxylic acid and an unbranched alcohol
  • Structural formulae of reactant pair C: ethanoic acid and 3-methylbutan-1-ol
  • Structural formulae of reactant pair D: ethanoic acid and an alcohol with the methyl group on the incorrect carbon

Choose your answer

1
1 mark

Cetyl palmitate is a waxy solid and has the molecular formula C15H31CO2C16H33.

Which products are formed when cetyl palmitate is heated under reflux with an excess of aqueous sodium hydroxide?

  • C15H31CO2Na and C16H33OH

  • C15H31CO2Na and C16H33ONa

  • C15H31OH and C16H33CO2Na

  • C15H31ONa and C16H33CO2Na

Choose your answer

2
1 mark

The diagram shows the structure of ethanedioic acid.

Structural formula of ethanedioic acid: HOOC−COOH

Ethanedioic acid reacts with ethanol in the presence of a few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid to form a diester. The molecular formula of the diester is C6H10O4.

What is the structural formula of the diester?

  • CH3CH2CO2CO2CH2CH3

  • CH3CH2OCOCO2CH2CH3

  • CH3CH2O2CO2CCH2CH3

  • CH3CO2CH2CH2OCOCH3

Choose your answer

3
1 mark

Lactic acid is a naturally occurring molecule.

Structural formula of lactic acid (2-hydroxypropanoic acid), showing a hydroxyl group and a carboxylic acid group

What is a property of lactic acid?

  • It rapidly decolourises aqueous bromine.

  • Two molecules can react together in strong acid.

  • It reduces Fehling’s reagent.

  • It is insoluble in water.

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4
1 mark

How many ester compounds have the molecular formula C4H8O2?

  • 2

  • 3

  • 4

  • 5

Choose your answer

5
1 mark

Compound Q has the formula CH3CH2CO2CH3.

Which row correctly shows the name of compound Q and how its boiling point compares with that of butanoic acid?

Name of Q

Boiling point compared to butanoic acid

A

Methyl propanoate

Lower

B

Propyl methanoate

Lower

C

Methyl propanoate

Higher

D

Propyl methanoate

Higher

    Choose your answer

    1
    1 mark

    In the presence of an H+ catalyst, compound X reacts with ethanoic acid to produce the compound below.

    Displayed structural formula of the ester product, showing CH3-C(=O)-CH2-CH2-O-C(=O)-CH3: a 3-oxobutyl chain linked to an ethanoyl group via an ester bond

    What is the molecular formula of compound X?

    • C4H8O

    • C4H8O2

    • C2H6O2

    • C2H6O3

    Choose your answer

    2
    1 mark

    During a lesson, a teacher heated ethyl propanoate under reflux with aqueous sodium hydroxide. The mixture was then acidified, and the two organic products are then separated, purified and weighed.

    Out of the total mass of products obtained, what is the percentage by mass of each product?

    • 50.0 % and 50.0 %

    • 57.7 % and 42.3 %

    • 61.7 % and 38.3 %

    • 67.6 % and 32.4 %

    Choose your answer

    3
    1 mark

    30 g of an alcohol and 30 g of a carboxylic acid are heated under reflux together to produce 33.2 g of propyl butanoate.

    What is the yield of the ester?

    • 25 %

    • 38 %

    • 50 %

    • 75 %

    Choose your answer

    4
    1 mark

    Which statement correctly describes the hydrolysis of an ester?

    • Heating an ester with dilute acid under reflux produces a sodium carboxylate and an alcohol

    • Heating an ester with dilute alkali under reflux produces a carboxylic acid and an alcohol

    • Heating an ester with dilute acid under reflux produces a carboxylic acid and an alcohol in a reversible reaction.

    • Heating an ester with dilute alkali under reflux produces a carboxylic acid and an alcohol in a reversible reaction.

    Choose your answer