Chemistry 9701 · AS & A Level · Carboxylic acids and derivatives

Carboxylic acids and derivatives — practice question

Ethanal, $\text{CH}_3\text{CHO}$, is used in the preparation of product R by means of a three-stage synthesis. $\text{CH}_3\text{CHO} \xrightarrow[\text{NaCN}]{\text{HCN}} \text{product P} \xrightarrow[\text{reflux}]{\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4\text{(aq)}} \text{product Q} \xrightarrow[\text{a few drops}]{\text{conc. }\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4} \text{product R}$ In the reaction, two molecules of Q combine to form one molecule of R and two molecules of water. Each molecule of R contains two ester functional groups. Sodium does not react with R. Determine the empirical formula of R.

  • A$\text{CHO}$
  • B$\text{C}_3\text{H}_4\text{O}_2$
  • C$\text{C}_3\text{H}_5\text{O}_2$
  • D$\text{C}_6\text{H}_{10}\text{O}_5$

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