Chemistry 2022 Paper II 50 marks Compulsory Explain

Paper II — Q1

(a) Ionization of 3,4-dichloro-1,2,3,4-tetramethylcyclobutene in SbF₅-SO₂ at –75 °C produces a reaction intermediate of its own…

(a)

Ionization of 3,4-dichloro-1,2,3,4-tetramethylcyclobutene in SbF₅-SO₂ at –75 °C produces a reaction intermediate of its own kind. Predict the intermediate and comment on its stability and aromaticity. 10 marks

(b)

Predict the structures of X and Y, and also mention the major product: 10 marks

(c)
(i)

Out of the following list of reactants along with the reagents, identify the reaction which is not a condensation reaction. Propose a suitable mechanism for the products formed in this reaction: (10 marks) Acetaldehyde is reacted with dilute KOH

(ii)

Benzaldehyde is reacted with acetic anhydride in presence of sodium acetate

(iii)

Benzaldehyde is reacted with malonic ester in presence of a base

(iv)

Benzaldehyde is reacted with concentrated KOH

(d)
(i)

Write down the structure(s) of the product(s) obtained in the following reactions. Provide suitable justification and propose the mechanisms: (10 marks) [reaction diagram not shown]

(ii)

[reaction diagram not shown]

(e)

Predict the product(s) formed on heating the cyclopentadiene and provide a suitable justification to your answer. 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
(a)

3,4-डाइक्लोरो-1,2,3,4-टेट्रामेथिलसाइक्लोब्यूटीन का आयनन SbF₅-SO₂ में –75 °C में होने पर एक प्रकार का प्रतिक्रिया मध्यवर्ती बनता है। इस मध्यवर्ती का अनुमान लगाइए और इसकी स्थिरता तथा एरोमैटिसिटी पर टिप्पणी कीजिए। (10 अंक)

(b)

X और Y की संरचना का अनुमान लगाइए तथा मुख्य उत्पाद का भी उल्लेख कीजिए: (10 अंक)

(c)
(i)

निम्नलिखित अभिक्रियकों की सूची, जो अभिकर्मकों के साथ है, में वह अभिक्रिया पहचानिए जो संघनन अभिक्रिया नहीं है। इस अभिक्रिया में उत्पादों के बनने की उपयुक्त क्रियाविधि प्रस्तावित कीजिए: (10 अंक) ऐसीटैल्डिहाइड की तनु KOH से अभिक्रिया

(ii)

बेंजैल्डिहाइड की ऐसीटिक ऐन्हाइड्राइड के साथ सोडियम ऐसीटेट की उपस्थिति में अभिक्रिया

(iii)

बेंजैल्डिहाइड की मैलोनिक एस्टर के साथ क्षार की उपस्थिति में अभिक्रिया

(iv)

बेंजैल्डिहाइड की सांद्रित KOH के साथ अभिक्रिया

(d)
(i)

निम्नलिखित अभिक्रियाओं में प्राप्त होने वाले उत्पाद/उत्पादों की संरचना लिखिए। उपयुक्त औचित्य दीजिए तथा क्रियाविधि प्रस्तावित कीजिए: (10 अंक) [आरेख नहीं दिखाया गया]

(ii)

[आरेख नहीं दिखाया गया]

(e)

साइक्लोपेंटाडाइन के तापन पर बने उत्पाद/उत्पादों का अनुमान लगाइए तथा अपने उत्तर का उपयुक्त औचित्य दीजिए। (10 अंक)

Q1 of the 2022 UPSC Mains Chemistry Paper II, as printed
The question as printed in the 2022 Chemistry paper
Model answer coming soon See all 2022 Chemistry questions

The figure this question refers to, in words

The question paper is a scan and the diagram did not survive as text. This is the figure as read from the original page — every component, value and label — so the question can be worked from the text below.

(b) Text description of a reaction: '2-chloro-2,3-dimethylpentane' is treated with 'sodium ethoxide' (NaOEt). The question asks for the structures of the alkenes expected after dehydrohalogenation.

(d) Reaction (ii): A molecule with a central single bond connecting two carbon atoms. The left carbon is bonded to one phenyl group (C6H5), one methyl group (CH3), and one hydroxyl group (OH). The right carbon is bonded to one phenyl group (C6H5), one methyl group (CH3), and one hydroxyl group (OH). The reaction arrow points to the right with conditions H+ and Delta (heat) above it.

(e) Chemical structure (5): A benzene ring attached to a methylene group (-CH2-), which is attached to another methylene group (-CH2-), which is attached to a carboxylic acid group (-C(=O)-O-H). The full structure is 3-phenylpropanoic acid.

What "Explain" is asking you to do

Make the working of something clear — what sets it off, what follows from what, and what it produces. Explain is the Commission's mechanism word: it dominates the technical papers and the “explain why” stems, where the marks sit in the causal chain and not in the label.

Structure that answers it

State what it is → the initiating condition → the chain of cause, step by step → an instance where it plays out → what the chain produces

Where marks are lost

Describing what something looks like instead of why it works that way. Naming the stages without linking them reads as description too.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

(a) comment: context > arguments both sides > judgment > close | (b) describe: define > structure or process in order > labelled diagram > significance | (c) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close | (d) describe: define > structure or process in order > labelled diagram > significance | (e) justify: claim > 3-4 reasons > evidence > conclusion Full marks: All parts answered with correct structures, mechanisms, and justifications.

Key points expected

  • Identify the intermediate as a cyclobutadiene dication
  • State the 2π electron count of the intermediate
  • Apply Hückel's rule to determine aromaticity
  • Justify stability based on electronic configuration
  • Draw the structure of product X
  • Draw the structure of product Y
  • Identify the major product between X and Y
  • Provide a mechanism for the epoxide opening

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. (a) Predict the intermediate and comment on its stability and aromaticity. 10 marks

    comment— context → arguments both sides → judgment → close

    Must cover

    • Identify the intermediate as a cyclobutadiene dication
    • State the 2π electron count of the intermediate
    • Apply Hückel's rule to determine aromaticity
    • Justify stability based on electronic configuration

    Loses marks

    • Confusing dication with neutral cyclobutadiene
    • Incorrect application of Hückel's rule

    Earns more

    • Draw the resonance structures of the dication
    • Mention the specific solvent system (SbF5-SO2)

    Extra mark

    • Compare stability with neutral cyclobutadiene
  2. (b) Predict the structures of X and Y and mention the major product. 10 marks

    describe— define → structure or process in order → labelled diagram → significance

    Must cover

    • Draw the structure of product X
    • Draw the structure of product Y
    • Identify the major product between X and Y
    • Provide a mechanism for the epoxide opening

    Loses marks

    • Failing to show the mechanism
    • Incorrect regioselectivity in the product structures

    Earns more

    • Explain the regioselectivity of the nucleophilic attack
    • Discuss the role of the nitro group in directing the reaction

    Extra mark

    • Mention the stereochemistry of the products
  3. (c) Identify the non-condensation reaction and propose a mechanism for its product. 10 marks

    explain— definition/context → points in order → small example → short close

    Must cover

    • Identify reaction (iv) as the non-condensation reaction
    • Name the reaction as Cannizzaro reaction
    • Propose the mechanism for the Cannizzaro reaction
    • Show the formation of benzyl alcohol and benzoate

    Loses marks

    • Incorrectly identifying the non-condensation reaction
    • Failing to show the hydride transfer step

    Earns more

    • Briefly explain why the other reactions are condensations
    • Show the hydride transfer step in the mechanism

    Extra mark

    • Mention the specific conditions required for Cannizzaro
  4. (d) Write the product structures, provide justification, and propose mechanisms. 10 marks

    describe— define → structure or process in order → labelled diagram → significance

    Must cover

    • Draw the product structure for reaction (i)
    • Draw the product structure for reaction (ii)
    • Propose the mechanism for the dehydration
    • Justify the product formation based on stability

    Loses marks

    • Failing to show the mechanism
    • Incorrect product structure

    Earns more

    • Show the carbocation intermediate in the mechanism
    • Explain the role of heat in the reaction

    Extra mark

    • Mention the specific type of elimination (E1 or E2)
  5. (e) Predict the product(s) formed on heating cyclopentadiene and provide justification. 10 marks

    justify— claim → 3-4 reasons → evidence → conclusion

    Must cover

    • Identify the product as dicyclopentadiene
    • Name the reaction as Diels-Alder reaction
    • Explain the dimerization of cyclopentadiene
    • Justify the product formation based on orbital symmetry

    Loses marks

    • Failing to identify the Diels-Alder reaction
    • Incorrect product structure

    Earns more

    • Draw the structure of dicyclopentadiene
    • Mention the specific conditions for the reaction

    Extra mark

    • Show the orbital interaction in the Diels-Alder reaction

Model answer coming soon

Every evaluation on this site is marked against a verified model answer. This question's answer is still being written; evaluation opens the moment it lands.

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