Organic Chemistry: Alcohols, Carboxylic Acids, Esters, Polymers and Macromolecules

1. Which formula represents the alcohol with three carbon atoms?

A C3H6
B C3H7OH
C C3H8O2
D C3H7COOH

2. Which statement about ethanol is correct?

A It contains the –COOH functional group.
B It reacts with sodium carbonate to produce carbon dioxide.
C It can be oxidised to ethanoic acid.
D It is formed by addition polymerisation of ethene.

3. Which general formula represents saturated monohydric alcohols?

A CnH2n
B CnH2n+2
C CnH2n+1OH
D CnH2nCOOH

4. Which substance is the second member of the alcohol homologous series?

A methanol
B ethanol
C propanol
D ethanoic acid

5. Ethene reacts with steam to form ethanol.

Which conditions are used industrially?

A yeast, 35°C, no oxygen
B high temperature, high pressure, phosphoric acid catalyst
C room temperature, nickel catalyst, hydrogen gas
D ultraviolet light and chlorine

6. Which equation represents hydration of ethene?

A C2H4 + H2O → C2H5OH
B C2H6 + H2O → C2H5OH + H2
C C2H5OH + O2 → CH3COOH + H2O
D C2H4 → poly(ethene)

7. Which statement about fermentation is correct?

A glucose is converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide
B ethene reacts with steam to form ethanol
C ethanol is converted into glucose and oxygen
D carbon dioxide reacts with water to form ethanol

8. Which equation represents fermentation?

A C6H12O6 → 2C2H5OH + 2CO2
B C2H4 + H2O → C2H5OH
C C2H5OH + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O
D 2C2H5OH + 2Na → 2C2H5ONa + H2

9. Which condition is needed for fermentation?

A high pressure
B absence of oxygen
C platinum catalyst
D temperature above 200°C

10. Why is fermentation usually carried out at about 30–40°C?

A yeast enzymes work effectively and are not denatured
B ethanol boils only at this temperature
C glucose decomposes into carbon and hydrogen
D carbon dioxide becomes insoluble only above 40°C

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

11. Which statement correctly compares fermentation and hydration of ethene?

A fermentation is faster and produces pure ethanol directly
B hydration uses a renewable raw material, glucose
C fermentation uses renewable glucose but produces dilute ethanol
D hydration requires yeast and anaerobic conditions

12. Why is ethanol obtained from fermentation separated by fractional distillation?

A ethanol is insoluble in water
B ethanol and water have different boiling points
C ethanol is a solid at room temperature
D water reacts with ethanol to form ethene

13. Which reagent oxidises ethanol to ethanoic acid?

A acidified potassium manganate(VII)
B aqueous sodium chloride
C limewater
D bromine water only

14. During oxidation of ethanol to ethanoic acid, what colour change is seen with acidified potassium manganate(VII)?

A orange to green
B purple to colourless
C purple to brown/colourless
D blue to colourless

15. Which equation represents complete combustion of ethanol?

A C2H5OH + 2O2 → 2CO + 3H2O
B C2H5OH + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O
C C2H5OH + O2 → CH3COOH + H2O
D C2H5OH → C2H4 + H2O

16. Ethanol reacts with sodium.

Which gas is produced?

A oxygen
B hydrogen
C carbon dioxide
D chlorine

17. Which equation represents ethanol reacting with sodium?

A 2C2H5OH + 2Na → 2C2H5ONa + H2
B C2H5OH + NaOH → C2H5ONa + H2O
C C2H5OH + Na2CO3 → C2H5ONa + CO2
D C2H5OH + Na → C2H6 + NaOH

18. Which substance is formed when ethanol is dehydrated?

A ethene
B ethanoic acid
C ethyl ethanoate
D glucose

19. Which reagent/condition can convert ethanol into ethene?

A warm with concentrated sulfuric acid
B shake with bromine water
C add sodium carbonate
D add yeast at 35°C

20. Which statement about ethanol is correct?

A It decolourises bromine water because it contains C=C.
B It is a carboxylic acid.
C It burns to form carbon dioxide and water in excess oxygen.
D It reacts with carbonates to form carbon dioxide.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

21. Which formula represents ethanoic acid?

A C2H5OH
B CH3COOH
C HCOOCH3
D CH3CHO

22. Which functional group is present in carboxylic acids?

A –OH only
B –COOH
C C=C
D –COO–

23. Which statement about ethanoic acid is correct?

A It is a strong acid and completely ionises in water.
B It is a weak acid and partially ionises in water.
C It is neutral because it contains carbon and hydrogen.
D It is an alkali because it contains oxygen.

24. Ethanoic acid reacts with sodium carbonate.

Which products form?

A sodium ethanoate, water and carbon dioxide
B sodium ethoxide, water and oxygen
C sodium ethanoate and hydrogen only
D ethanol, carbon dioxide and sodium hydroxide

25. Which equation represents ethanoic acid reacting with sodium carbonate?

A 2CH3COOH + Na2CO3 → 2CH3COONa + H2O + CO2
B CH3COOH + Na2CO3 → CH3COONa + H2O
C CH3COOH + NaOH → CH3COONa + CO2
D CH3COOH + Na → CH3COONa + CO2

26. Which salt is formed when ethanoic acid reacts with magnesium?

A magnesium ethoxide
B magnesium ethanoate
C magnesium carbonate
D magnesium ethanol

27. Which gas is produced when ethanoic acid reacts with magnesium?

A hydrogen
B carbon dioxide
C oxygen
D methane

28. Which compound reacts with ethanoic acid to form ethyl ethanoate?

A methane
B ethanol
C ethene
D ethane

29. Which conditions are used to form an ester from ethanol and ethanoic acid?

A warm with concentrated sulfuric acid
B add aqueous sodium hydroxide only
C add bromine water in the dark
D use yeast and no oxygen

30. Which products form when ethanol reacts with ethanoic acid?

A ethyl ethanoate and water
B methyl ethanoate and water
C ethyl methanoate and hydrogen
D ethene and carbon dioxide

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

31. Which ester is formed from methanol and ethanoic acid?

A methyl ethanoate
B ethyl methanoate
C ethyl ethanoate
D methyl propanoate

32. Which ester is formed from ethanol and propanoic acid?

A propyl ethanoate
B ethyl propanoate
C methyl propanoate
D propyl methanoate

33. Which pair of reactants forms methyl propanoate?

A methanol and propanoic acid
B ethanol and propanoic acid
C propanol and methanoic acid
D methanol and ethanoic acid

34. Which statement about esters is correct?

A They often have fruity smells.
B They always turn blue litmus red strongly.
C They are salts formed by neutralisation only.
D They contain the –COOH functional group.

35. Which structure represents ethyl ethanoate?

A CH3COOCH2CH3
B CH3CH2COOCH3
C HCOOCH2CH3
D CH3CH2OH

36. Which ester has formula HCOOCH2CH3?

A methyl methanoate
B ethyl methanoate
C methyl ethanoate
D ethyl ethanoate

37. Which statement about esterification is correct?

A It is a reaction between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid.
B It is a reaction between two alkanes.
C It is addition of bromine to an alkene.
D It is combustion of an alcohol.

38. Which statement about poly(ethene) is correct?

A It is formed by condensation polymerisation.
B It is formed from ethene monomers by addition polymerisation.
C It contains ester links.
D It is a natural protein.

39. Which monomer forms poly(propene)?

A ethene
B propene
C propane
D ethanol

40. Which polymer has repeating unit –CH2–CH2–?

A poly(ethene)
B poly(propene)
C nylon
D Terylene

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

41. Which statement about addition polymerisation is correct?

A small molecules such as water are eliminated
B monomers must contain C=C bonds
C the polymer has a lower relative molecular mass than the monomer
D monomers must be carboxylic acids

42. Which monomer forms the polymer with repeating unit –CH2–CH(CH3)–?

A ethene
B propene
C chloroethene
D butane

43. Which polymer is formed from chloroethene, CH2=CHCl?

A poly(chloroethene) / PVC
B poly(ethene)
C nylon
D starch

44. Which repeating unit comes from tetrafluoroethene, CF2=CF2?

A –CF2–CF2–
B –CH2–CH2–
C –CF2–CH2–
D –COO–CF2–

45. Which statement about condensation polymerisation is correct?

A Only one monomer molecule is used and no other product forms.
B A small molecule such as water is eliminated when monomers join.
C It requires alkene monomers only.
D It always forms poly(ethene).

46. Which linkage is found in polyesters?

A –COO–
B –CONH–
C C=C
D –O–O–

47. Which linkage is found in polyamides/proteins?

A –COO–
B –CONH–
C –COOH only
D –CH=CH–

48. Which pair of monomers can form a polyester?

A a dicarboxylic acid and a diol
B an alkene and hydrogen
C a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid
D glucose and ethanol only

49. Which pair of monomers can form a polyamide?

A a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine
B an alkene and water
C ethanol and ethanoic acid only
D ethene and propene only

50. Which statement about macromolecules is correct?

A They are always simple molecules with low boiling points.
B They are very large molecules made from many smaller units.
C They can only be made naturally and never synthetically.
D They never contain covalent bonds.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

1. B

A wrong: C3H6 is an alkene/cycloalkane formula, not an alcohol formula.
B right: C3H7OH is propanol, the alcohol with three carbon atoms.
C wrong: C3H8O2 has two oxygen atoms, not a simple monohydric alcohol.
D wrong: C3H7COOH is a carboxylic acid with four carbon atoms.

2. C

A wrong: –COOH is the carboxylic acid functional group.
B wrong: Ethanol does not react with sodium carbonate to produce carbon dioxide.
C right: Ethanol can be oxidised to ethanoic acid.
D wrong: Ethanol is not formed by addition polymerisation.

3. C

A wrong: CnH2n is the general formula for alkenes.
B wrong: CnH2n+2 is for alkanes.
C right: Saturated monohydric alcohols have general formula CnH2n+1OH.
D wrong: CnH2nCOOH is not the alcohol general formula.

4. B

A wrong: Methanol is the first member.
B right: Ethanol is the second alcohol.
C wrong: Propanol is the third member.
D wrong: Ethanoic acid is a carboxylic acid.

5. B

A wrong: Yeast and 35°C are fermentation conditions.
B right: Ethene hydration uses high temperature, high pressure and phosphoric acid catalyst.
C wrong: Nickel and hydrogen are used for hydrogenation.
D wrong: UV light and chlorine are used for substitution of alkanes.

6. A

A right: Ethene reacts with steam/water to form ethanol.
B wrong: Ethane does not hydrate like ethene.
C wrong: This is oxidation of ethanol.
D wrong: This is polymerisation of ethene.

7. A

A right: Fermentation converts glucose into ethanol and carbon dioxide.
B wrong: This describes hydration of ethene.
C wrong: Fermentation does not convert ethanol into glucose.
D wrong: Carbon dioxide and water do not form ethanol this way.

8. A

A right: C6H12O6 → 2C2H5OH + 2CO2.
B wrong: This is hydration of ethene.
C wrong: This is complete combustion of ethanol.
D wrong: This is ethanol reacting with sodium.

9. B

A wrong: Fermentation does not need high pressure.
B right: Fermentation needs anaerobic conditions, meaning absence of oxygen.
C wrong: Yeast enzymes are used, not platinum catalyst.
D wrong: High temperature denatures yeast enzymes.

10. A

A right: Around 30–40°C lets yeast enzymes work well without denaturing.
B wrong: Ethanol boils at about 78°C, not 30–40°C.
C wrong: Glucose does not decompose into carbon and hydrogen.
D wrong: This is not about carbon dioxide solubility only.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

11. C

A wrong: Fermentation is slower and produces dilute ethanol.
B wrong: Hydration uses ethene, usually from crude oil, not renewable glucose.
C right: Fermentation uses renewable glucose but gives dilute ethanol that needs separation.
D wrong: Hydration does not require yeast or anaerobic conditions.

12. B

A wrong: Ethanol is soluble in water.
B right: Ethanol and water have different boiling points, so fractional distillation separates them.
C wrong: Ethanol is a liquid at room temperature.
D wrong: Water does not react with ethanol to form ethene during separation.

13. A

A right: Acidified potassium manganate(VII) oxidises ethanol to ethanoic acid.
B wrong: Sodium chloride does not oxidise ethanol.
C wrong: Limewater tests carbon dioxide.
D wrong: Bromine water tests unsaturation.

14. B

A wrong: Orange to green is acidified potassium dichromate(VI).
B right: Acidified potassium manganate(VII) changes from purple to colourless.
C wrong: Brown is more associated with non-acidified manganate(VII) conditions, not the standard acidified test.
D wrong: Blue to colourless is not this test.

15. B

A wrong: This forms carbon monoxide, so it is incomplete combustion.
B right: C2H5OH + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O.
C wrong: This represents oxidation to ethanoic acid, not complete combustion.
D wrong: This is dehydration.

16. B

A wrong: Oxygen is not produced.
B right: Alcohols react with sodium to produce hydrogen gas.
C wrong: Carbon dioxide is produced by acids with carbonates or combustion.
D wrong: Chlorine is not produced.

17. A

A right: 2C2H5OH + 2Na → 2C2H5ONa + H2.
B wrong: Ethanol does not react with sodium hydroxide like this at O Level.
C wrong: Ethanol does not react with sodium carbonate to form carbon dioxide.
D wrong: Products are incorrect.

18. A

A right: Dehydration removes water from ethanol to form ethene.
B wrong: Ethanoic acid forms by oxidation.
C wrong: Ethyl ethanoate forms by esterification.
D wrong: Glucose forms ethanol by fermentation, not the reverse.

19. A

A right: Warm concentrated sulfuric acid dehydrates ethanol to ethene.
B wrong: Bromine water tests alkenes.
C wrong: Sodium carbonate reacts with acids, not ethanol.
D wrong: Yeast ferments glucose to ethanol.

20. C

A wrong: Ethanol has no C=C bond.
B wrong: Ethanol is an alcohol, not a carboxylic acid.
C right: Ethanol burns completely in excess oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water.
D wrong: Ethanol does not react with carbonates to form carbon dioxide.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

21. B

A wrong: C2H5OH is ethanol.
B right: CH3COOH is ethanoic acid.
C wrong: HCOOCH3 is methyl methanoate, an ester.
D wrong: CH3CHO is ethanal.

22. B

A wrong: –OH alone is the alcohol functional group.
B right: Carboxylic acids contain the –COOH functional group.
C wrong: C=C is found in alkenes.
D wrong: –COO– is the ester linkage.

23. B

A wrong: Ethanoic acid is not a strong acid.
B right: Ethanoic acid is weak and partially ionises in water.
C wrong: It is acidic because of the –COOH group.
D wrong: It is not an alkali.

24. A

A right: Acid + carbonate → salt + water + carbon dioxide, so sodium ethanoate, water and carbon dioxide form.
B wrong: Sodium ethoxide forms from ethanol with sodium, not ethanoic acid with carbonate.
C wrong: Carbon dioxide and water also form.
D wrong: Products are incorrect.

25. A

A right: 2CH3COOH + Na2CO3 → 2CH3COONa + H2O + CO2.
B wrong: Not balanced and missing carbon dioxide.
C wrong: Sodium hydroxide gives water, not carbon dioxide.
D wrong: Sodium metal gives hydrogen, not carbon dioxide.

26. B

A wrong: Ethoxide comes from ethanol.
B right: Ethanoic acid + magnesium forms magnesium ethanoate.
C wrong: Magnesium carbonate is not formed.
D wrong: “Magnesium ethanol” is not a salt.

27. A

A right: Acid + metal → salt + hydrogen.
B wrong: Carbon dioxide forms from acid + carbonate.
C wrong: Oxygen is not formed.
D wrong: Methane is not formed.

28. B

A wrong: Methane does not esterify with ethanoic acid.
B right: Ethanol reacts with ethanoic acid to form ethyl ethanoate.
C wrong: Ethene is an alkene, not the alcohol needed.
D wrong: Ethane is an alkane and unreactive here.

29. A

A right: Esterification uses an alcohol and carboxylic acid warmed with concentrated sulfuric acid.
B wrong: Sodium hydroxide does not make the ester.
C wrong: Bromine water tests alkenes.
D wrong: Yeast and no oxygen are fermentation conditions.

30. A

A right: Ethanol + ethanoic acid → ethyl ethanoate + water.
B wrong: Methyl ethanoate needs methanol.
C wrong: Ethyl methanoate needs methanoic acid.
D wrong: Ethene and carbon dioxide are not esterification products.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

31. A

A right: Methanol gives the methyl part; ethanoic acid gives ethanoate, so methyl ethanoate forms.
B wrong: Ethyl methanoate needs ethanol and methanoic acid.
C wrong: Ethyl ethanoate needs ethanol.
D wrong: Methyl propanoate needs propanoic acid.

32. B

A wrong: Propyl ethanoate needs propanol and ethanoic acid.
B right: Ethanol + propanoic acid forms ethyl propanoate.
C wrong: Methyl propanoate needs methanol.
D wrong: Propyl methanoate needs propanol and methanoic acid.

33. A

A right: Methanol provides methyl; propanoic acid provides propanoate.
B wrong: Ethanol would form ethyl propanoate.
C wrong: Propanol and methanoic acid form propyl methanoate.
D wrong: Methanol and ethanoic acid form methyl ethanoate.

34. A

A right: Esters often have fruity smells.
B wrong: Esters are not strong acids.
C wrong: Esters are not salts formed by neutralisation only.
D wrong: Esters contain –COO–, not –COOH.

35. A

A right: CH3COOCH2CH3 is ethyl ethanoate.
B wrong: CH3CH2COOCH3 is methyl propanoate.
C wrong: HCOOCH2CH3 is ethyl methanoate.
D wrong: CH3CH2OH is ethanol.

36. B

A wrong: Methyl methanoate is HCOOCH3.
B right: HCOOCH2CH3 is ethyl methanoate.
C wrong: Methyl ethanoate is CH3COOCH3.
D wrong: Ethyl ethanoate is CH3COOCH2CH3.

37. A

A right: Esterification is alcohol + carboxylic acid → ester + water.
B wrong: Two alkanes do not form an ester.
C wrong: Bromine addition is an alkene reaction.
D wrong: Combustion is burning.

38. B

A wrong: Poly(ethene) forms by addition polymerisation.
B right: Ethene monomers join by addition polymerisation to form poly(ethene).
C wrong: Poly(ethene) does not contain ester links.
D wrong: Poly(ethene) is a synthetic addition polymer, not a protein.

39. B

A wrong: Ethene forms poly(ethene).
B right: Propene forms poly(propene).
C wrong: Propane is saturated and cannot addition-polymerise.
D wrong: Ethanol is not the monomer for poly(propene).

40. A

A right: Poly(ethene) has repeating unit –CH2–CH2–.
B wrong: Poly(propene) has –CH2–CH(CH3)–.
C wrong: Nylon is a polyamide.
D wrong: Terylene is a polyester.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

41. B

A wrong: No small molecule is eliminated in addition polymerisation.
B right: Addition polymerisation needs unsaturated monomers with C=C bonds.
C wrong: Polymers have much higher relative molecular masses than monomers.
D wrong: Carboxylic acids are used in condensation polymers, not addition polymerisation.

42. B

A wrong: Ethene gives –CH2–CH2–.
B right: Propene gives –CH2–CH(CH3)–.
C wrong: Chloroethene gives –CH2–CHCl–.
D wrong: Butane is saturated and does not addition-polymerise.

43. A

A right: Chloroethene forms poly(chloroethene), also called PVC.
B wrong: Poly(ethene) forms from ethene.
C wrong: Nylon is a condensation polymer.
D wrong: Starch is a natural carbohydrate polymer.

44. A

A right: CF2=CF2 opens its double bond to form repeating unit –CF2–CF2–.
B wrong: This is from ethene.
C wrong: This would need mixed H/F monomer.
D wrong: Ester linkage is not involved.

45. B

A wrong: Condensation polymerisation usually involves two functional groups and eliminates a small molecule.
B right: A small molecule such as water is eliminated when monomers join.
C wrong: Alkene monomers are used in addition polymerisation.
D wrong: Poly(ethene) forms by addition polymerisation.

46. A

A right: Polyesters contain ester links, –COO–.
B wrong: –CONH– is an amide link.
C wrong: C=C is an alkene double bond.
D wrong: –O–O– is not the polyester linkage.

47. B

A wrong: –COO– is an ester linkage.
B right: Polyamides and proteins contain amide links, –CONH–.
C wrong: –COOH is a carboxylic acid group, not the polymer linkage.
D wrong: –CH=CH– is not an amide/protein linkage.

48. A

A right: A dicarboxylic acid and a diol can form a polyester.
B wrong: Alkene and hydrogen form an alkane by hydrogenation.
C wrong: Diamine + dicarboxylic acid forms a polyamide.
D wrong: Glucose and ethanol are not the standard polyester monomer pair.

49. A

A right: A dicarboxylic acid and a diamine form a polyamide.
B wrong: Alkene and water form alcohol by hydration.
C wrong: Ethanol and ethanoic acid form a simple ester, not a polyamide.
D wrong: Ethene and propene form addition polymers, not polyamides.

50. B

A wrong: Macromolecules are not simple small molecules.
B right: Macromolecules are very large molecules made from many smaller units.
C wrong: They can be natural or synthetic.
D wrong: They contain covalent bonds.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.