DP Chemistry (last assessment 2024)
Question 19M.3.hl.TZ2.25a
| Date | May 2019 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 2] | Reference code | 19M.3.hl.TZ2.25a |
| Level | hl | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ2 |
| Command term | Examine | Question number | a | Adapted from | N/A |
a.
[Maximum mark: 2]
19M.3.hl.TZ2.25a
Taxol is a drug that was once obtained from yew trees and is now produced using chiral auxiliaries.
(a)
Examine the synthesis of taxol in terms of green chemistry criteria.
[2]
Markscheme
Any two of:
produced by genetically engineered/modified bacteria/E. coli
OR
sustainable because synthesized and not obtained from yew trees [✔]
chiral auxiliaries «isolated and» reused [✔]
one enantiomer produced [✔]
toxicity/recycling of solvents/materials used [✔]
overall yield/atom economy/waste generated [✔]
Examiners report
The synthesis of taxol in terms of green chemistry criteria invited varied responses. While some candidates were precise in their answers but others lost focus and wrote something about green chemistry.
