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A2 Unit 5
CHEMISTRY

Revision
Booklet
Redox Equilibria
Transition Metals
Organic Chemistry

Arenes,
Nitrogen compounds
and Synthesis

Revised March 2014

Command words used in Chemistry Exams

State

Recall and write a fact.

Define

All the words in bold in the question must be defined, with the exception in
definitions of enthalpy changes, the term enthalpy need not be defined.

Identify

Either the name or the formula is acceptable.

Calculate

Use the numbers given.

Show your working, unless it is a simple one-step calculation.

Explain

The answer must contain the theoretical basis for the answer which
must be presented in a logical order.

Justify your
answer

You must include the theoretical basis for the answer.

Discuss

This term will be used in more open-ended questions.

There will probably be more marking points than marks, so there will be a variety of
ways in which full marks can be obtained.

Analyse

Use the data given.

Compare

You must comment on both substances being compared.

Evaluate

Discuss the pros and cons in an experiment / process.

Deduce

The answer must be worked out based either on data supplied in

the question or in one or more previous answers in the question.

Suggest

You are not expected to know the answer, but to be able to work it out
based on their knowledge and understanding of material you have been taught.

Comment critically on
This term will most likely be used when you are being stretched and challenged.
The answer must be detailed to achieve full marks.
There will also be some easier marks, accessible for the average candidate.

5.1 Redox Chemistry

What is meant by the term redox?
Use the following half equations to write a balanced equation for the reaction between MnO4- and Fe2+.
MnO4- + 8H+ + 5eMn2+ + 4H2O
2+
3+
Fe
Fe + e-

Describe the titration used to find the concentration of Iodine in a solution.

Include a balanced equation.

Using redox reactions

Mg2+(aq) + 2eZn2+(aq) + 2eCu2+(aq) + 2eFe2+(aq) + 2eSn2+(aq) + 2eO2(g) + 2H2O(l) + 4eBr2(aq)
+ 2eCl2(aq)
+ 2eMnO4-(aq) + 5e- + 8H+(aq)

Mg(s)
E = -2.37V
Zn(s)
E = -0.76V
Cu(s)
E = +0.34V
Fe(s)
E = -0.44V
Sn(s)
E = -0.14V
4 OH-(aq)
E = +0.40V
2Br-(aq)
E = +1.09V
2Cl (aq)
E = +1.36V
Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l) E = +1.51V

The standard electrode potential for Cu2+(aq)/Cu(s) is +0.34V.

What do you understand by this?

What is a standard electrode and why is one needed in order to measure electrode potentials?

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Calculate Ecell for cells made from the following standard half cells:
i) Mg2+(aq)/Mg(s) with Zn2+(aq)/Zn(s)
ii) Zn2+(aq)/Zn(s) with Cu2+(aq)/Cu(s)
iii)

Br2(aq)/2Br-(aq) with Cl2(aq)/2Cl-(aq)

The equation for the first stage of rusting is: 2Fe(s) + O2(g) + 2H2O(l) 2Fe(OH)2(s). Calculate
the E and show the reaction is feasible.

Use the E values to explain why zinc is used in preference to tin for preventing corrosion of steel
car bodies.

The Ecell value for Mg2+(aq)/Mg(s) with Ag+(aq)/Ag(s) is 3.18V (Mg electrode -ve).
What is E for Ag+(aq)/Ag(s)?

You can make Cl2 by the oxidation of Cl-. What oxidising agent, from the list above, is capable of
doing this? Write an equation for the reaction.

How can E values be used to predict the likely spontaneity of redox reactions?

What two limitations are there to the predictions made using E values?

How is E cell related to Stot?

How is E cell related to the equilibrium constant?

Briefly describe two useful applications of electrode potentials.

5.2 Transition Metals

What is a transition metal?

Give three characteristics transition metals.

Why do transition metals share similar properties?

Draw out electrons in boxes and use the s p d notation to represent the electron configuration of
the following atoms and ions.
(a) Sc

(b) Sc3+

(c) Fe2+

(d) Fe3+

Suggest why Fe2+ ions are readily oxidised to Fe3+ ions but Mn2+ ions are not readily oxidised to
Mn3+ ions.

Why is Zn2+ colourless?

Describe the bonding a complex ion.

Give an example of: a monodentate, a bidentate and a polydentate ligand.

Draw, give the shape and name the following complexes:

(a) [Fe(H2O)6]3-

(b) [Cu(NH3)4(H2O)2]2+

(c) [CrCl4]-

(d) [CuCl2]-

(e) [Pt(NH3)2Cl2]

Explain why the complexes above, apart from [CuCl2]- , are coloured.

Explain why the complexes above have different colours.

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Give an example of a ligand exchange reaction involving [CuCl4]2-.
What observations that would be made druing the reaction.

Give an example of a deprotonation reaction involving Cr(H2O)63+.

What observations that would be made druing the reaction.

Why is Cr(H2O)63+ more acidic than Cr(H2O)62+?

Describe the reaction between Cu(H2O)62+ and NH3.

Use the following half equations to explain why copper(I) compounds are very unstable.
Cu2+ + eCu+ + e-

Cu+
Cu

Eo = +0.15V
Eo = +0.52V

What colour are the following species?

Cr(OH)3(s)

Cr(H2O)67+

Ni(OH)2(s)

Fe(OH)2(s)

Fe(OH)2(s)

Mn(OH)2(s)

Zn(OH)2(s)

Describe a use for [Pt(NH3)2Cl2]

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1. Ammonium vanadate(V), NH4VO3 reacts with dilute sulphuric acid to form a solution
containing yellow VO2+ ions.
a. Write an ionic equation for the reaction of the anion in NH4VO3 with dilute sulphuric acid.
b. Is the reaction in (a) a redox reaction? Justify your answer.
c. Addition of zinc to the solution containing VO2+ ions causes the colour to change from
yellow to green then to blue, followed by green again and finally violet. State the formulae
of the ions responsible for each of these colour changes.
First green colour:
Second green colour:
Violet colour:
2. A few drops of NH3 is added to [Ni(H2O)6]2+ and a green precipitate forms. More NH3 is
added, the precipitate redissolves and a blue solution forms.
a. What type of bonds are present in the [Ni(H2O)6]2+ ion?
b. Write an equation to show the formation of the green precipitate.
c. Explain why the first reaction is deprotonation.
d. Name the type of reaction occurring in the second step.
e. Give an equation for the reaction in the second step.
f. Explain why to [Ni(H2O)6]2+ is coloured.
3. Brass is a widely used alloy that contains copper and zinc. There are many varieties of
brass with different compositions. In the volumetric analysis of the composition of brass, the
first step is to react a weighed sample of the alloy with nitric acid. This gives a greenishblue solution. Use the following standard electrode potentials for the question:
Zn2+ + 2e- Zn
E = -0.76V
Cu2+ + 2e- Cu
E = +0.34V
+
NO3 + 2H + e- NO2 + H2OE = +0.81V
a. Use the information above to calculate the standard electrode potential for the
reaction between zinc and nitric acid derive the equation.
b. Suggest why zinc does not produce hydrogen with nitric acid.
c. If the greenish-blue solution is diluted with water it turns light blue and contains
hydrated copper (II) ions. Name the lights blue complex ion and name its shape.
d. If concentrated hydrochloric acid is added to a portion of the light blue solution
it turns green. State the type of reaction that occurs and give an equation for the
reaction type.
e. The light blue solution is then neutralized and reacted with potassium iodide
solution. Use the electrode potentials below to explain why you would not expect
a reaction to occur.
Cu2+ + 2e- Cu+
E = +0.15V
I2 + 2e- 2IE = +0.54V
f. Explain why, in practice, the reaction does occur and iodine is liberated.
g. When the precipitate formed in the reaction in (e) is filtered off and then
dissolved in concentrated aqueous ammonia, a colourless solution is formed.
Suggest the formula for the cation in this solution.
h. If the colourless solution is left to stand in air for some time, it turns blue. State
why this is so, naming the reactant responsible for the change.
i. In determination of the composition of a sample of brass, 1.50 g of the alloy was
treated to give 250 cm3 of a neutral solution of copper (II) nitrate and zinc

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nitrate. Excess potassium iodide solution was added to 25.0 cm 3 portions of this
solution and the liberated iodine titrated with 0.100 moldm -3 sodium thiosulphate
solution. The mean titration was 16.55 cm3.
a. State which indicator you would use for the titration and the colour
change seen at the end point.
b. Explain why the indicator is not added until the reaction is nearly
complete.
c. Calculate the percentage of copper by mass in the brass.

4. a. Complete the electronic configuration of: Cr and Cr3+.

b. State and explain the shape of [Cr(H2O)6]3+.
c. State what you would see when dilute sodium hydroxide is added to a solution containing
[Cr(H2O)6]3+ until it is in excess.
d. Give equations for the reactions taking place in (c). Identify the role of the hydroxide ion
in the reactions.
e. Give the structural formula of an organic compound that can be oxidized by potassium
dichromate (VI) in dilute sulphuric acid and of an organic product of the reaction.
f. Both dichromate (VI) ions and manganate (VII) ions need hydrogen ions in order to act as
oxidizing agents in titration experiments. Explain using electrode potentials whether
hydrochloric acid could be used to provide the H+ ions for these oxidations.
Cr2O72- + 14H+ + 6e- 2Cr3+ + 7H2O
E = +1.33V
Cl2 + 2e- 2ClE = +1.36V
MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- Mn2+ + 4H2O
E = +1.51V
g. When aqueous alkali is added to an aqueous solution containing dichromate (VI) ions,
the following change takes place:
Cr2O72- + 2OH- 2CrO42- + H2O
Explain in terms of oxidation numbers why this is not a redox reaction.
5. Storage cells and fuel cells are types of electrochemical cells used as sources of energy.
Information about five redox systems that could be used in electrochemical cells is shown
below.
Redox System 1: Fe2+ + 2e- Fe(s)
E = -0.44V
Redox System 2: 2H2O(l) + 2e- 2OH-(aq) + H2(g) E = -0.83V
Redox System 3: 2H+ + 2e- H2(g)
E = 0.00V
Redox System 4: O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + 4e 4OH (aq) E = +0.40V
Redox System 5: O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e- 2H2O(l)
E = +1.23V
a. The standard electrode potential of redox system 1 can be measured by constructing an
electrochemical cell. Draw a diagram to show how the standard electrode potential
could be measured for redox system 1. State the conditions needed to measure this
standard electrode potential.
b. When an alkaline hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is being used to produce electrical energy,
chemical changes take place within the cell. Write half equations for the changes that
take place at each electrode, write the overall equation for the cell reaction and
calculate the standard cell potential of this fuel cell.
c. State one important difference between a fuel cell and a conventional storage cell.

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d. People often assume that hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells are a source of energy that is
carbon neutral. State one reason why this assumption may not be correct.
e. A student constructs a cell as follows:
A half cell is made from a strip of chromium metal and a solution of chromium
(III) sulphate.
A second half cell is made from a strip of metal X and a solution of XSO4(aq).
The two half cells are connected together and a current is allowed to pass for a
length of time.
The chromium electrode gains 1.456 g in mass.
The electrode made of metal X loses 1.021 g in mass.
Determine the identity of metal X.
6. a. Construct a balanced equation for the reaction between acidified dichromate (VI) ions
and methanoic acid, HCOOH.
HCOOH HCHO
Cr2O72- Cr3+
b. A student added some chromium metals to an acidified solution containing copper (II)
ions. A reaction took place. The student confirmed that chromium is more reactive than
copper.
i) Explain in terms of their electrode potentials why chromium is more reactive than copper.
ii) When the experiment is carried out, the student observed some bubbles of gas. Suggest
an explanation for this observation.
c. Methanoic acid, HCOOH, has the common name of formic acid. Direct-Formic acid
fuel cells are being developed for use in small, portable electronics such as phones and
laptops. Suggest two advantages of using methanoic acid as the fuel rather than hydrogen.

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Organic Chemistry Arenes

Describe the bonding in benzene.

Describe the evidence that supports your description above.

Explain why arenes undergo electrophilic substitution reactions rather than addition reactions.

Why are phenols often described as activated arenes?

Give an example reaction that supports this description.

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Give the reagents and conditions for the reactions below.
SO2OH

Br

Cl

NO2

NH2

+
N

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Draw an example mechanism showing Electrophilic Substitution

Nitrogen Compounds
Why are amines classed as bases?

Why are short chained amines soluble in water?

What class of compounds are formed when amines react with acyl chlorides?

Describe how Nylon (6,6) is made.

Describe how a mixture of amino acids can be separated and identified.

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What are the products from the following reactions;
R-C N + LiAlH4

CH3-CN + HCl + 2H2O

CH3CH2CH(NH2)COOH (aq) + H+ (aq)

CH3CH2CH(NH2)COOH (aq) + OH- (aq)

CH3CH2CH(NH2)COOH(aq) + CH2(NH2)COOH(aq)

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Synthesis
Design a synthetic scheme for the following conversion.
Include the reagents and conditions needed in each step.
H2
C
H3C

H2
C

OH
C
H2

H3C

H2
C
C
H2

NH2

Design a synthetic scheme for the following conversion.

Include the reagents and conditions needed in each step.
O
C
OH

O2N

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Synthesis in action
Explain why organic reactions are often heated under reflux.

Draw the apparatus for heating under reflux.

Why are organic solvents added to organic reaction mixtures during purification?

Why are organic reaction mixtures washed with water during purification?

Why are organic reaction mixtures washed with sodium carbonate solution during purification?

Name a drying agent that can be used during the purification of organic reaction mixtures.

Describe the key points involved in the purification of an organic solid.

Describe the key points involved in the purification of an organic liquid.

Describe how sensitive organic compounds can be extracted from plant materials.

What is the major advantage of using combinatorial chemistry in drug research?