Eduqas A Level Chemistry

Eduqas A Level Chemistry OA2.2 Aldehydes and Ketones Exam Questions

Free Eduqas A Level Chemistry exam questions on OA2.2 Aldehydes and Ketones, with mark schemes. Covers oxidation, reduction, nucleophilic addition and tests for carbonyl compounds.

OA2.2 Aldehydes and Ketones exam questions

1 question pack of real past exam questions with its mark scheme. Answer every question without notes, then mark your answers line by line against the mark scheme.

OA2.2 Aldehydes and KetonesQuestions and mark scheme
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About Eduqas A Level Chemistry OA2.2 Aldehydes and Ketones

This topic covers carbonyl chemistry.

What you need to know

  • Oxidation Aldehydes oxidise to carboxylic acids; ketones do not.
  • Reduction NaBH₄ reduces aldehydes to primary alcohols and ketones to secondary alcohols.
  • Nucleophilic addition HCN adds to form hydroxynitriles, with a mechanism.
  • Tests 2,4-DNPH for carbonyls; Tollens' and Fehling's to distinguish aldehydes.

Common mistakes in OA2.2 Aldehydes and Ketones

  • Saying ketones give a silver mirror.
  • Drawing the nucleophile attacking oxygen.
  • Forgetting HCN addition can form a racemic mixture.

Try three OA2.2 Aldehydes and Ketones exam-style questions

1. State the observation for an aldehyde with Tollens' reagent. (1 mark)

Show the mark scheme answer

A silver mirror forms.

2. Name the reagent that reduces carbonyls to alcohols. (1 mark)

Show the mark scheme answer

Sodium tetrahydridoborate (NaBH₄).

3. Explain why HCN addition to ethanal gives a racemic mixture. (2 marks)

Show the mark scheme answer

The carbonyl group is planar (1), so the nucleophile attacks equally from either side (1).

OA2.2 Aldehydes and Ketones FAQs

What does Aldehydes and Ketones cover?

Oxidation, reduction, nucleophilic addition and tests.

Which practical links here?

Identifying carbonyl compounds with 2,4-DNPH and Tollens' reagent.

How is 2,4-DNPH used?

It forms an orange precipitate; its melting point identifies the compound.