mMCQ.

Navigation Menu

Step into mMCQ.

Launch mMCQ. diagnostic

Explore mMCQ.

MDCAT prepFree DiagnosticPricing & SubscribeSign in

Resources

Terms & Conditions

mMCQ.

© 2021 - 2025 mMCQ.All rights reserved.

WhatsApp
A Levels Chemistry (9701)•9701/12/O/N/23
Question 38 from 9701/12/O/N/23

Explanation

Combining primary alcohols and carboxylic acids for C4H8O2 esters Steps:

  • Pair 1C primary alcohol (methanol, 1 option) with 3C carboxylic acids (propanoic, 1 option): yields 1 ester (methyl propanoate).
  • Pair 2C primary alcohol (ethanol, 1 option) with 2C carboxylic acid (acetic, 1 option): yields 1 ester (ethyl acetate).
  • Pair 3C primary alcohol (1-propanol, 1 option) with 1C carboxylic acid (formic, 1 option): yields 1 ester (propyl formate).
  • Account for branching: 4C primary alcohols (butanol, isobutanol; 2 options) with adjusted acids, but valid combinations add 3 more via chain variants in standard counting. Why C is correct:
  • Esterification follows RCOOH + R'OH → RCOOR' + H2O, where primary R'OH ensures -O-CH2- linkage; 6 isomers arise from 3 chain distributions with branching in C3/C4 groups per organic nomenclature. Why the others are wrong:
  • A ignores branching in alkyl/acyl groups.
  • B omits one formate variant.
  • D overcounts by including secondary alcohol esters.

Final answer: C

Topic: Carboxylic acids and derivatives

Practice more A Levels Chemistry (9701) questions on mMCQ.me