AS Level · Chemistry 9701 · Organic chemistry

Hydroxy compounds: AS Level Chemistry questions with answers

Free Hydroxy compounds questions for AS Level Chemistry (9701), part of Organic chemistry. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.

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Hydroxy compounds practice questions

Question 1Multiple choice · 1 markA* challenge

Three alcohols are heated separately with acidified potassium dichromate(VI).
Which row is correct?

butan-1-olbutan-2-ol2-methylpropan-2-ol
Abutanoic acid (under reflux)no reactionbutanone
Bbutanonebutanalno reaction
Cbutanoic acid (under reflux)butanoneno reaction
Dbutanal onlybutanoic acidbutanone
Show answer

Answer: C

Question 2Multiple choice · 1 mark

What is formed when propan-2-ol is heated with acidified potassium dichromate(VI)?

  1. A propene
  2. B propanoic acid
  3. C propanone
  4. D propanal
Show answer

Answer: C

Question 3Multiple choice · 1 mark

Which term is described by this statement?
“An alcohol whose –OH carbon is bonded to only one other carbon.”

  1. A hydrogen bond
  2. B standard electrode potential
  3. C polyester
  4. D primary alcohol
Show answer

Answer: D

Question 4Structured · 3 marksA* challenge

Alcohols react with sodium.

(a)

Write an equation for the reaction of ethanol with sodium.

[1]
(b)

Describe a test to show that a compound contains the CH₃CH(OH)– group.

[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)2C₂H₅OH + 2Na → 2C₂H₅ONa + H₂
2C₂H₅OH + 2Na → 2C₂H₅ONa + H₂ B1
1
(b)alkaline iodine, yellow precipitate
warm with alkaline aqueous iodine B1
yellow precipitate (CHI₃) B1
2
Question 5Structured · 4 marks

Alcohols can be oxidised.

(a)

State the reagents and conditions for oxidising a primary alcohol to an aldehyde.

[2]
(b)

Explain why tertiary alcohols are not oxidised.

[1]
(c)

State the colour change observed.

[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)acidified K₂Cr₂O₇; distil
acidified potassium dichromate(VI) B1
heat and distil off the aldehyde as it forms B1
2
(b)no H on C bearing OH
no hydrogen atom on the carbon bonded to the OH group B1
1
(c)orange to green
orange to green B1
1
Question 6Structured · 7 marksA* challenge

The three alcohols butan-1-ol, butan-2-ol and 2-methylpropan-2-ol are isomers of C₄H₁₀O.

(a)

Classify each alcohol as primary, secondary or tertiary.

[1]
(b)

Describe what is seen when each is warmed with acidified potassium dichromate(VI).

[2]
(c)

State the organic products from butan-1-ol when the mixture is distilled immediately and when it is heated under reflux.

[2]
(d)

Butan-2-ol is dehydrated by heating with concentrated phosphoric acid. Explain why three alkenes are formed.

[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)1°, 2°, 3°
primary, secondary, tertiary respectively B1
1
(b)1° and 2° orange → green; 3° stays orange
butan-1-ol and butan-2-ol: orange to green B1
2-methylpropan-2-ol: stays orange B1
2
(c)butanal; butanoic acid
distil: butanal B1
reflux: butanoic acid B1
2
(d)but-1-ene and cis/trans but-2-ene
H can be lost from C1 or C3, giving but-1-ene or but-2-ene M1
but-2-ene exists as cis and trans isomers M1
2

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Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in