Alkenes (OCR AS Chemistry A): Exam Questions

Exam code: H032

3 hours37 questions
1a
1 mark

This question is about alkenes.

Alkenes such as ethene and 2-methylbut-2-ene are unsaturated molecules. 

What is meant by the term unsaturated? 

1b
1 mark

The displayed formula of ethene is shown below.

Chemical structure of ethene with a double bond between carbon atoms, each bonded to two hydrogen atoms, and a variable group labelled 'a'.

State the value for the bond angle labelled a.

1c
2 marks

Explain, with the aid of a sketch, how p orbitals are involved in the formation of the double bond in an alkene.  

1d
2 marks

Explain why ethene would be susceptible to attack from electrophiles.

2a
3 marks

This question is about the reactions of propene.

Complete the flowchart below to show the major organic product formed in each of the addition reactions.

Chemical reaction diagram with an ethene molecule reacting with Br2, HBr, and H2/Ni, showing possible products in three empty boxes.
2b
2 marks

Use ‘curly’ arrows to complete the mechanism for the formation of the major product when propene CH3CH=CH2, reacts with hydrogen bromide, HBr. 

Incomplete mechanism for the formation of the major product when propene CH3CH=CH2, reacts with hydrogen bromide, HBr
2c
1 mark

Draw the displayed formula of the minor product formed from the reaction of propene and hydrogen bromide.

2d
3 marks

Explain why there is a major and minor product formed from the reaction between propene and hydrogen bromide.  

3a
2 marks

This question is about the isomers of butene.

Butene, C4H8, can exist as three isomers.  

Describe a chemical test, including the expected observation, that will give a positive result for all isomers.

3b
6 marks

Butene can exist as different isomers.

Isomer A is a position isomer of isomers B and C and does not show E or Z isomerism. Isomer B is the Z isomer.  Isomer C is the E isomer.

i) Draw the displayed formulae of the three isomers, A, B and C, of butene, C4H8. 

Three labelled sections: Isomer A, Isomer B, and Isomer C, arranged horizontally in a grid with empty spaces for structural representation.

[3] 

ii) Name all three isomers, A, B and C, of butene, C4H8. 

[3] 

3c
1 mark

Draw the structural formula of the addition polymer formed by isomer A.

4a
1 mark

This question is about isomers.

Diols are chemicals with two hydroxyl functional groups in their structures.  A range of diols are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

Chemical structures of 4 organic compounds:
A = CH2OHCH2OH (with the OH groups above and below)
B =  CH2OHCH2OH (with both OH groups above)
C =  CHOHCHOH (with the OH groups above and below) 
D =  CHOHCHOH (with both OH groups above)

Suggest why compounds A and B are the same compound but compounds C and D are isomers.

4b
2 marks

Name compounds C and D from Figure 1 using the E / Z naming system.

4c
1 mark

Compound G, shown in Figure 2, is a derivative of compound C. 

Figure 2 

Chemical structure of an alkene, CHOHCClOH

Compound G

Suggest why the cis / trans naming system fails with compound G. 

4d
4 marks

Ethanol can be formed by the hydration of ethene in the presence of a concentrated sulfuric acid catalyst at 300 °C.

Complete the mechanism in Figure 3 by using 'curly arrows' and adding relevant δ- and δ+ charges.

Figure 3

Incomplete reaction mechanism for the formation of ethanol from ethene with a concentrated sulfuric acid catalyst
5a
3 marks

This question is about different polymers.

Polymer X can be formed from an alkene.

Section of a polymer with continuation bonds showing -CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH(CH3)-

 Polymer X

i) State the type of polymerisation involved in the formation of polymer X.

[1]

ii) Draw the monomer used to form polymer X.

[1]

iii) Name polymer X.

[1]

5b
3 marks

Suggest three reasons why the disposal of polymer X would prove to be a challenge.

5c
1 mark

State which method of recycling heats the polymer to a high temperature so that it breaks down into the original monomer.

5d
1 mark

Polyesters and polyamides are condensation polymers and are biodegradable.

State the name of the process that breaks down these polymers.

1a
5 marks

This question is about alkanes and alkenes.

Crude oil contains a mixture of hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons are first separated in a process called fractional distillation.

The longer hydrocarbon chains are then cracked to shorter saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Figure 1 below shows two hydrocarbons that are obtained by cracking crude oil.

Figure 1

Diagrams of hydrocarbon A (CH3CH2CH2CH3) and hydrocarbon B (CH2=CHCH2CH3)

i) State which hydrocarbon is unsaturated and explain why.

[2]

ii) State which hydrocarbon is more reactive and explain why.

[3]

1b
4 marks

Draw the structure of ethane and ethene and include the bond angles.

Name and explain the geometry around the carbon atoms of each molecule.

1c
2 marks

Figure 2 shows alkenes B, C, D, E and F.

Figure 2

Structures of alkenes B, C, D, E, F
B = CH2=CHCH2CH3
C = CH3=CHCHCH3
D = CH2=CH2
E = CH3=CHCHCH3
F = C(CH3)2=CH2

You will have to refer to these alkenes throughout this part of the question.

Describe, using the orbital overlap model, how the π-bond in alkene D is formed.

1d
3 marks

Many alkenes show E/Z isomerism.

i) Explain why E/Z isomerism is shown in some alkenes.

[2]

ii) From Figure 2, identify the two alkenes that exist as a pair of E/Z isomers.

[1]

2a
5 marks

This question is about the preparation of alcohols.

Alcohols are valuable organic compounds which are often used as solvents, fuels and chemical feedstock. Alcohols can be prepared from the electrophilic addition reaction of alkenes.

The first step in this reaction involves the reaction of sulfuric acid with an alkene.

i) State what the electrophile is in this electrophilic addition reaction.

[1]

ii) Outline the mechanism for the reaction of but-1-ene with sulfuric acid to show the formation of the major product. Include the partial charges.

[4]

2b
4 marks

The reaction described in part (a) also produces a product in which the sulfate group is bonded to a less substituted carbon atom. 

State the name and draw the structure of this product. State whether this is the minor or  major product and explain why.

2c
2 marks

The following molecule shows E/Z isomerism.

organic molecule with the structural formula CH3CH2CHF=C(CH3)CH2OH

Use the Cahn–Ingold–Prelog priority rules to identify whether this alkene is an E or Z stereoisomer. Explain how you came to your decision.

2d
1 mark

Which of the bond(s) shown in the following structure is/are in the Z configuration? 

Chemical structure of an organic compound with alternating single and double bonds, showing methyl groups and numbered carbon carbon double bonds from 1 to 10.
3a
4 marks

This question is about polymers.

Figure 1 shows a section of the PVC polymer.

Figure 1

Section of the PVC polymer chain, -CH2CHClCH2CHClCH2-

i) Draw the repeating unit of PVC.

[1]

ii) Draw the structure and state the name of the monomer of the PVC polymer.

[2]

iii) Write the equation to represent the formation of PVC from its monomer.

[1]

3b
3 marks

Polymers are unreactive compounds due to their long non-polar chain of saturated carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bonds.

Although this means that they are safe to use, it also means that they are non-biodegradable, as they are not attacked by biological agents such as enzymes. 

Table 1 below shows three different ways in which polymers can be disposed of.

Table 1

Method of disposal

Disadvantage

Recycling

 

Incineration

 

Landfill sites

 

State the disadvantage of each method of disposal to complete the table.

3c
3 marks

This part of the question is about 2-chloropropene, C3H5Cl. Three reactions of 2-chloropropene are shown in the flowchart below.

Complete the flowchart to show the organic products formed in the reactions

Diagram of 2-chloropropene reacting with Br2, H2/Ni, and steam, forming unspecified products in three boxes.
3d
3 marks

2-chloropropene can be polymerised to form poly(2-chloropropene).

i) Write a balanced equation for the formation of this polymer. The equation should include the structure of the repeating unit of the polymer.

[2]

ii) After their useful life, waste polymers can be disposed of by combustion.

State one particular problem with disposal of poly(2-chloropropene) by combustion.

[1]

1a
5 marks

This question is about the preparation of alcohols.

Alcohols can be prepared via the electrophilic addition reaction of alkenes. 

The first step involves the alkene reacting with sulfuric acid. 

i) State what the electrophile is in this electrophilic addition reaction. 

[1]

ii) Outline the mechanism for the reaction of but-1-ene with sulfuric acid to show the formation of the major product. 

Include the partial charges. 

[4]

1b
4 marks

The reaction described in part (a) also produces a product in which the sulfate group is bonded to a less substituted carbon atom.

i) State the name and draw the structure of this product.

[2]

ii) State whether this is the minor or major product and explain why.

[2]

1c
3 marks

The electrophilic addition reaction of sulfuric acid with but-1-ene results in the formation of three isomeric products.

Draw the structures of these isomeric products.

1d
4 marks

The second step in the formation of an alcohol from an alkene is the hydrolysis of the alkyl hydrogen sulfate formed in the first step.

i) Write the equation for this step of the reaction using the displayed formulae of the reactants and products. 

[1]

ii) Draw the skeletal formulae of all structural isomers of the compound formed in this reaction.

[3]

2a
1 mark

This question is about polymers. 

Poly(methyl methacrylate) is used as a glass substitute in Perspex. 

A section of the polymer chain is shown below. 

A section of the poly(methyl methacrylate) polymer

Draw the skeletal formula of the monomer. 

2b
2 marks

Explain why poly(methylmethacrylate) is fairly unreactive. 

2c
6 marks

Polymer waste has been an environmental concern for many years now. 

The availability, cost and convenience of polymers for use in many everyday household items mean the demand for them has increased bringing with it huge environmental effects.

Evaluate the three methods below for reducing the environmental impact of plastics. 

  • Recycling

  • Combustion

  • Feedstock recycling 

2d
3 marks

Bioplastics, such as biodegradable plastics offer a sustainable alternative to oil based products.

Where the use of plant based polymers is not possible, photodegradable polymers are being developed. 

i) Explain how photodegradable polymers are broken down. 

[1]

ii) Suggest two disadvantages of using photodegradable polymers.

[2]

3a
4 marks

This question is about alkenes. 

But-1-ene is an organic compound widely used in the petrochemical industry. 

Explain why but-1-ene is more reactive than butane. 

3b
9 marks

But-1-ene has the molecular formula C4H8. 

For the reactions of but-1-ene with bromine, hydrogen bromide and steam: 

  • Predict the organic products made

  • Write the equation for the reactions 

  • Give the conditions for the reactions. 

3c
5 marks

During the reaction between but-1-ene and HBr, the HBr breaks by heterolytic fission. 

i) Explain what is meant by heterolytic fission. 

[1]

ii) Draw the mechanism for the electrophilic addition of HBr to but-1-ene to show the formation of the major product. 

[4]

3d
6 marks

The structure of but-2-en-1-ol is shown below. 

Structure of but-2-en-1-ol, with three angles labelled a, b and c

For each labelled angle, state the bond angle and shape. Explain the shape around the atom. 

You should refer to electron repulsion theory in your answer.