DP Chemistry (last assessment 2024)

Test builder »

Question 22M.2.hl.TZ1.d(iii)

Select a Test
Date May 2022 Marks available [Maximum mark: 3] Reference code 22M.2.hl.TZ1.d(iii)
Level hl Paper 2 Time zone TZ1
Command term Draw, Explain Question number d(iii) Adapted from N/A
d(iii).
[Maximum mark: 3]
22M.2.hl.TZ1.d(iii)

Organomagnesium compounds can react with carbonyl compounds. One overall equation is:

Iodomethane is used to prepare CH3MgI. It can also be converted into methanol:

CH3I + HO → CH3OH + I

Explain the mechanism of the reaction using curly arrows to represent the movement of electron pairs.

[3]

Markscheme

curly arrow going from lone pair/negative charge on O in -OH to C ✔

curly arrow showing I leaving ✔

representation of transition state showing negative charge, square brackets and partial bonds ✔

 

Accept OH- with or without the lone pair.

Do not allow curly arrows originating on H, rather than the -, in OH-.

Accept curly arrows in the transition state.

Do not penalize if HO and I are not at 180°.

Do not award M3 if OH–C bond is represented.

Award [2 max] if SN1 mechanism shown.

Examiners report

Mechanism for SN2 not done well. Often the negative charge on OH was missing, the curly arrow was not going from lone pair/negative charge on O in -OH to C, or the curly arrow showing I leaving placed incorrectly and specially the negative charge was missing in the transition state. Formation of a carbocation intermediate indicating SN1 mechanism could score a maximum of 2 marks.