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Oxidation of alcohols test with answers for A Level chemistry (free PDF download)

Quick answer: Primary alcohols are oxidised to aldehydes and then carboxylic acids, secondary alcohols to ketones, and tertiary alcohols resist oxidation; acidified dichromate turns from orange to green. This Chemistry 11-12 test on oxidation of alcohols has 8 questions worth 20 marks, to do in 45 minutes: oxidising butan-2-ol, reflux or distillation and tollens’ reagent. The mark scheme is on a separate page; free printable PDF.

Oxidation of alcohols test with answers for A Level chemistry (free PDF download)

This 45 minute test is worth 20 points and covers oxidation of alcohols, tests for carbonyls, nucleophilic addition and a yield calculation. Write balanced equations where asked and use the correct names for colours and products.

Level: Chemistry grades 11-12 (A Level · IB · Class 11-12) · Curriculum: A Level 3.3.5

Time: 45 minutes · 8 questions · Total: 20 marks · Calculator allowed

Question 1 Oxidising butan-2-ol (3 marks)

Butan-2-ol is heated under reflux with acidified potassium dichromate(VI).
  1. Classify the alcohol. (1 mark)
  2. Name the organic product. (1 mark)
  3. State the colour change. (1 mark)

Question 2 Reflux or distillation (2 marks)

Propan-1-ol is oxidised.
  1. Name the product formed by distillation and by reflux with excess oxidant. (1 mark)
  2. Explain why distillation is needed for the first product. (1 mark)

Question 3 Tollens’ reagent (3 marks)

  1. State what is seen when warm Tollens’ reagent is added to ethanal and to propanone. (2 marks)
  2. State what happens to the silver ions. (1 mark)

Question 4 Propanone and HCN (3 marks)

Propanone reacts with HCN.
Propanone reacts with cyanide ions and acid to give a product shown as a question markCH₃COCH₃+ CN⁻ (then H⁺)?HCN
Reaction for the mechanism question: draw the product of propanone with HCN.
  1. Name the type of mechanism. (1 mark)
  2. Give the formula and name of the product. (1 mark)
  3. Explain why the product has no optical activity. (1 mark)

Question 5 Yield calculation (3 marks)

4.60 g of ethanol (M = 46.0 g/mol) is oxidised to ethanoic acid (M = 60.0 g/mol).
  1. Calculate the theoretical mass of acid. (2 marks)
  2. Calculate the actual mass if the yield is 80 %. (1 mark)

Question 6 Racemic product (2 marks)

The addition of HCN to ethanal gives a racemic mixture.
  1. Explain what a racemic mixture is. (1 mark)
  2. Explain why it forms here. (1 mark)

Question 7 Boiling points (2 marks)

Propan-1-ol boils at 97 °C and propanal at 49 °C.
  1. Name the strongest intermolecular force in propan-1-ol. (1 mark)
  2. Explain the lower boiling point of propanal. (1 mark)

Question 8 Identify by tests (2 marks)

A compound of formula C₃H₆O gives an orange precipitate with 2,4-DNPH and no change with Fehling’s solution.
  1. Name the compound. (1 mark)
  2. Explain your reasoning. (1 mark)

See the oxidation of alcohols test answers and mark scheme

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