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Question 7

An industrial chemical company has supplies of but-2-ene and butan-2-ol. The company considers using these two processes:

  • process 1: converting but-2-ene to butan-2-ol
  • process 2: converting butan-2-ol to but-2-ene

A chemical equation for process 1 is:

C4H8+H2O→C4H10O \text{C}_4\text{H}_8 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{C}_4\text{H}_{10}\text{O} C4​H8​+H2​O→C4​H10​O
a.

Which condition does the chemical company use in process 1?

  • A: a temperature of 20 ∘C20\text{ }^\circ\text{C}20 ∘C
  • B: a concentrated phosphoric acid catalyst
  • C: atmospheric pressure of 100 kPa100\text{ kPa}100 kPa
  • D: nickel catalyst with hydrogen gas
[1]
b.

The equation for process 1 shows the molecular formulae of but-2-ene and butan-2-ol. Describe the displayed formulae of but-2-ene and butan-2-ol.

[2]
c.

Why is it correct to describe butan-2-ol as saturated, but incorrect to describe it as a hydrocarbon?

[2]
d.

A scientist working for the chemical company makes the following predictions that could affect processes 1 and 2 in the future:

  • crude oil fractions will be less available and more expensive
  • plant biomass will be more easily fermented to produce butan-2-ol from sugars.

Suggest how each of these predictions would affect the two processes.

[2]
Markscheme

Alkenes Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Chemistry
  3. /Alkenes

9 exam-style questions on Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry Alkenes. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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