HSC Chemistry Module 7: Organic Chemistry

Practice Questions

Nomenclature
Question 1

Name the following organic compounds with the correct IUPAC nomenclature. (4
marks)

(L1.1: investigate the nomenclature of organic chemicals, up to C8, using IUPAC

conventions, including simple methyl and ethyl branched chains, including:
(ACSCH127)

– alkanes

– alkenes

– alkynes

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 – alcohols (primary, secondary and tertiary)

– aldehydes and ketones

– carboxylic acids

– amines and amides

– halogenated organic compounds)

Question 2

Explain the difference between chain, position and functional group isomers.
Include examples for each type of isomer. (6 marks)

(L1.2 explore and distinguish the different types of structural isomers, including
saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, including:

– chain isomers

– position isomers

– functional group isomers)

Hydrocarbons
Question 3

Write the molecular and structural formulas for the following organic compounds
and label their functional groups: (3 marks)

1. 2-bromo-2-methylbutane
2. 1-iodo-3-methyl-2-butene
3. 5-chloro-4-methyl-2-pentyne

(L2.1:construct models, identify the functional group, and write structural and
molecular formulae for homologous series of organic chemical compounds, up to
C8

– alkanes

– alkenes

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 – alkynes)

Question 4

“Shorter alcohols have higher boiling points”. Is this statement true? Explain your
answer with reference to structure and intermolecular bonds. (3 marks)

(L2.2: conduct an investigation to compare the properties of organic chemical

compounds within a homologous series, and explain these differences in terms of
bonding)

Question 5

Draw and compare the shape of the organic compounds: Ethane, ethene and
ethyne. (3 marks)

(L2.3: analyse the shape of molecules formed between carbon atoms when a
single, double or triple bond is formed between them)

Question 6

Explain the trends in boiling points shown in the graph. (4 marks)

(L2.4: explain the properties within and between the homologous series of alkanes
with reference to the intermolecular and intramolecular bonding present)

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Question 7

Name one functional group that requires a safety procedure for disposal. Describe
the procedure and why it is necessary. (2 marks)

(L2.5: describe the procedures required to safely handle and dispose of organic
substances)

Question 8

Most hydrocarbons are extracted from the Earth are nonrenewable. Assess the
impact of extracting and using hydrocarbons on the environment, economy and
society. (7 marks)

(L2.6:examine the environmental, economic and sociocultural implications of

obtaining and using hydrocarbons from the Earth)

Hydrocarbons
Question 9

Draw structural formulas for the following reactions and name their respective
products. (3 marks)

1. 3-Hexene and hydrogen gas

2. 2-Butyne and excess bromide gas
3. 4-octene and water

(L3.1: investigate, write equations and construct models to represent the reactions
of unsaturated hydrocarbons when added to a range of chemicals, including but not
limited to:

– hydrogen (H2)

– halogens (X2)

– hydrogen halides (HX)

– water (H2O))

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Question 10

Draw structural formulas for the following reactions and name their respective
products. (2 marks)

1. Pentane and chloride gas

2. Decane and hydrogen bromide

(L3.2: investigate, write equations and construct models to represent the reactions
of saturated hydrocarbons when substituted with halogens)

Alcohols
Question 11

Rank primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols from lowest to highest boiling point.
Explain your ranking system with reference to its structure. (3 marks)

(L4.1: investigate the structural formulae, properties and functional group including:

– primary

– secondary

– tertiary alcohols

Question 12

Explain how the intramolecular bonding within alcohols contribute to its

intermolecular bonding between alcohol molecules. (3 marks)

(L4.2: explain the properties within and between the homologous series of alcohols
with reference to the intermolecular and intramolecular bonding present)

Question 13

A student performed a first-hand investigation to determine the quantitative

relationship between heat of combustion and molar mass of alkanols. The student

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 did this by burning different alkanols to heat water as shown in the diagram below.
The calculated heats of combustion for four of the alkanols are given in the table.

a) On the grid below, graph both the calculated and the theoretical heat of
combustion against the molar mass of the alkanols.

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 b) Discuss the validity of the student's investigation.

(L4.3: conduct a practical investigation to measure and reliably compare the

enthalpy of combustion for a range of alcohols)

Question 14

Write balanced chemical and structural equations for the reactions of the following
substances. (4 marks)

1. Magnesium and oxygen

2. Dehydration of cellulose
3. Pentane and hydrogen chloride
4. Two step oxidation of butane

(L4.4: write equations, state conditions and predict products to represent the
reactions of alcohols, including but not limited to (ACSCH128, ACSCH136):

– combustion

– dehydration

– substitution with HX

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 – oxidation)

Question 15

In class, you have performed an experiment to investigate the process of

fermentation. Outline the procedure you have used with a balanced equation of the
reaction. (4 marks)

(L4.5: investigate the production of alcohols, including:

– substitution reactions of halogenated organic compounds

– fermentation)

Question 16

Draw and name the products following the oxidation of the listed alcohols (4 marks)

(L4.6: Investigate the products of the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols)

Question 17

Assess the advantages and disadvantages between non-renewable fuels and

ethanol. (6 marks)

(L4.7: compare and contrast fuels from organic sources to biofuels, including
ethanol)

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Reactions of Organic Acids and Bases
Question 18

Explain how the structural difference between amines and amides contribute to their
different properties. Include examples with structural formulae. (3 marks)

(L5.1: investigate the structural formulae, properties and functional group including:

– primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols

– aldehydes and ketones (ACSCH127)

– amines and amides

– carboxylic acids)

Question 19

Rank amines, amides and carboxylic acid from lowest to highest boiling point.
Account for this trend with reference to its respective intermolecular and
intramolecular bonding. ( 5 marks)

(L5.2: explain the properties within and between the homologous series of
carboxylic acids amines and amides with reference to the intermolecular and
intramolecular bonding present)

Question 20

Describe the procedure you have used in a school laboratory to produce a named
ester. Include the structural formula for the production of that named ester. (6
marks)

(L5.3: investigate the production, in a school laboratory, of simple esters)

Question 21

Which organic compounds are characterized as organic acids? Which organic

compounds are characterized as organic bases? (3 marks)

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 (L5.4: investigate the differences between an organic acid and organic base)

Question 22

What is the structural difference between anionic and cationic detergents? Use their
structure to account for their unique uses. (4 marks)

(L5.5: investigate the structure and action of soaps and detergents)

Question 23

Construct a flow chart that depicts the conversion of propane to ethyl propanoate.
(3 marks)

(L5.6: Draft and construct flow charts to show reaction pathways for chemical
synthesis, including those that involve more than one step)

Polymers
Question 24

With reference to their structural composition, account for the unique properties and
uses of polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE). (6 marks)

(L6.1: model and compare the structure, properties and uses of addition polymers
of ethylene and related monomers, for example:

– polyethylene (PE)

– polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

– polystyrene (PS)

– polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE))

Question 25

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 Compare the production of nylon and polyesters through structural diagrams.
Account for how the structure of these polymers contribute to its properties and
therefore, uses. (5 marks)

(L6.2: model and compare the structure, properties and uses of condensation
polymers, for example:

– nylon

– polyesters)

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