Cyclohexene (boiling point = 83 °C) can be prepared by the dehydration of cyclohexanol (boiling point = 161 °C) using concentrated phosphoric acid - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 3
Question 3
Cyclohexene (boiling point = 83 °C) can be prepared by the dehydration of cyclohexanol (boiling point = 161 °C) using concentrated phosphoric acid.
A student prepar... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Cyclohexene (boiling point = 83 °C) can be prepared by the dehydration of cyclohexanol (boiling point = 161 °C) using concentrated phosphoric acid - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 3
Step 1
Calculate the percentage yield of cyclohexene.
96%
114 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
To calculate the percentage yield, we first determine the number of moles of cyclohexanol used:
Describe a test-tube reaction, on the product, to show that the cyclohexanol had been dehydrated.
99%
104 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
To show that cyclohexanol has been dehydrated, add bromine water to a test tube containing cyclohexene.
Observation: The reddish-brown color of bromine water will be decolorized, indicating the presence of alkenes.
Step 3
Suggest why sodium carbonate solution was used to wash the distillate.
96%
101 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Sodium carbonate solution was used to wash the distillate to neutralize any remaining acid from the phosphoric acid, as well as to remove any water-soluble impurities.
Step 4
Explain why it is important to open the tap of the separating funnel periodically.
98%
120 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Opening the tap periodically is important to release any pressure build-up that may occur due to the evolution of gases, preventing accidents and ensuring safe operation.
Step 5
Give a property of anhydrous calcium chloride, other than its ability to absorb water, that makes it suitable as a drying agent in this preparation.
97%
117 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Anhydrous calcium chloride is hygroscopic, meaning it has the ability to attract moisture from the surrounding environment, which aids in the drying process.
Step 6
Describe the apparatus used to remove the drying agent by filtration under reduced pressure.
97%
121 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
The apparatus consists of a Buchner funnel attached to a vacuum flask. The mixture containing the cyclohexene and the drying agent is poured into the funnel, where the liquid passes through the filter paper, and the drying agent is left behind. A vacuum pump is used to create reduced pressure, enhancing the efficiency of the filtration.
Step 7
Explain why cyclohexene has a shorter retention time than cyclohexanol.
96%
114 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Cyclohexene has a shorter retention time than cyclohexanol because it is less polar than cyclohexanol, allowing it to elute faster through the stationary phase of silica gel during column chromatography.
Step 8
Explain how an infrared spectrum would confirm that the cyclohexene obtained from the chromatography did not contain any cyclohexanol.
99%
104 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
The infrared spectrum of the cyclohexene would exhibit characteristic peaks corresponding to C=C stretching vibrations, while cyclohexanol would show an O-H stretching peak. The absence of the O-H peak in the spectrum would confirm that the sample did not contain cyclohexanol.