Menthol and menthone, which are the principal components of oil of peppermint, may be produced synthetically from thymol by the route shown below.
(a)[2]
State the reaction type for
• reaction I,
• reaction II.
(b)[6]
Suggest one test for each of the three compounds that would produce a positive result with the named compound but a negative result with the other two compounds.
thymol: test and observation.
menthol: test and observation.
menthone: test and observation.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 8-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “Reaction I involves reduction or hydrogenation” …