2

Answer all questions in the spaces provided.

1(a) Magnesium nitrate, Mg(NO3)2, is very soluble in water. When a hot saturated solution of
magnesium nitrate is cooled, crystals of the hydrate, Mg(NO3)2.6H2O, are formed.
In the crystals, six water molecules bond to each Mg2+ ion, and some of these water molecules
are also bonded to the nitrate ions.

(i) Suggest the type of bonding that occurs between

H2O and Mg2+, . ....................................................................................................................

H2O and NO3–. .....................................................................................................................

[2]

(ii) Describe the arrangement of the water molecules around the Mg2+ ion.

. ...................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) Describe in detail what you would observe when crystals of Mg(NO3)2.6H2O are heated in
a boiling tube, gently at first and then more strongly.
Write equations for any reactions that occur.

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ...................................................................................................................................... [4]

(iv) Calculate the percentage loss in mass when Mg(NO3)2.6H2O is heated strongly to constant
mass.

percentage loss = ............................. % [2]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16

 3

(b) Explain why the Group 2 nitrates become more stable to heat down the group.

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(c) Magnesium nitrate and silver nitrate, AgNO3, decompose on heating to produce the same
gases. Silver nitrate also produces silver metal during decomposition.

Write an equation for the decomposition of AgNO3.

.............................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 12]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16 [Turn over

 4

2 Ethanoic acid is a weak acid.

(a) Explain what is meant by the term weak acid.

....................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) The pKa values of four acids are listed below.

acid structural formula pKa

1 CH3CO2H 4.8
2 CH3CH2CO2H 4.9
3 CH3CHCl CO2H 2.8
4 CH2Cl CH2CO2H 4.0

(i) State the mathematical relationship between pKa and the acid dissociation constant Ka.

. ...................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) With reference to acidity, explain the difference in pKa values between

• acid 1 and acid 2,

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

• acid 2 and acid 3,

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

• acid 3 and acid 4.

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................
[3]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16

 5

(c) (i) Draw a fully labelled diagram of the equipment needed to measure the voltage of an
electrochemical cell consisting of the standard hydrogen electrode and the standard
Cu / Cu2+ electrode.

[4]

(ii) For the cell drawn in (i), calculate the and state which electrode is positive.

= ...................................... identity of the positive electrode .....................................

[1]

(d) A monobasic acid, D, has Ka = 1.23 × 10–5 mol dm–3.

(i) Calculate the pH of a 0.100 mol dm–3 solution of D.

pH = ............................ [2]

(ii) An electrochemical cell similar to the one you have drawn in (c)(i) was set up using a
0.100 mol dm–3 solution of D in the hydrogen electrode instead of the standard solution.

Use the data and the Nernst equation, E = E o + 0.059 log [H+(aq)], to calculate the new E cell
in this experiment.

E cell = ............................ V [2]

[Total: 14]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16 [Turn over

 6

3 (a) 2-bromopropane can be used to synthesise methylethylamine and 2-methylpropylamine.

NH2

reaction 1 methylethylamine

Br

2-bromopropane

reaction 2 reaction 3

NH2
X 2-methylpropylamine

(i) Draw the structure of the intermediate X in the box above. [1]

(ii) Suggest reagents and conditions for

• reaction 1, .....................................................................................................................

• reaction 2, .....................................................................................................................

• reaction 3. .....................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) (i) Write an equation showing why aqueous solutions of ethylamine are alkaline.

. ...................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Compare the basicities of ethylamine and ammonia. Explain your answer.

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ...................................................................................................................................... [2]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16

 7

(c) Solutions containing mixtures of amines and their salts are buffer solutions.

(i) Explain what is meant by the term buffer solution.

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ...................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Write two equations to show how a solution containing a mixture of CH3NH2 and CH3NH3Cl
acts as a buffer.

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ...................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16 [Turn over

 8

4 (a) There are two isomeric complexes with the formula Pt(NH3)2Cl 2, one of which is an anti-cancer
drug.

(i) Draw diagrams to show the three-dimensional structures of the two isomers.

isomer 1 isomer 2
[2]

(ii) Comment on the polarity of the two isomers of Pt(NH3)2Cl 2. Explain your answer.

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ...................................................................................................................................... [1]

Oxaloplatin is another successful anti-cancer drug in which the stereochemistry around the
platinum atom is the same as that in Pt(NH3)2Cl 2.

NH2 O O
C
Pt
C
NH2 O O
oxaloplatin

(iii) Explain why there are no isomers of oxaloplatin.

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ...................................................................................................................................... [1]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16

 9

(b) Only one structure of the complex [Ni(R3P)2Cl 2] is known. (R = CH3, R3P is a monodentate ligand)

(i) What does this indicate about the stereochemistry around the nickel atom?

. ...................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Draw a three-dimensional diagram showing the structure of this complex.

[1]

[Total: 6]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16 [Turn over

 10

5 Cadmium ions form complexes with primary amines and with 1,2-diaminoethane.

Cd2+(aq) + 4CH3NH2(aq) [Cd(CH3NH2)4]2+(aq) Kstab = 3.6 × 106 equilibrium I

Cd2+(aq) + 2H2NCH2CH2NH2(aq) [Cd(H2NCH2CH2NH2)2]2+(aq) Kstab = 4.2 × 1010 equilibrium II

(a) (i) Write an expression for the stability constant, Kstab, for equilibrium I, and state its units.

Kstab =

units ................................................
[2]

Cadmium ions are poisonous and need to be removed from some water supplies. This is often
done by adding a complexing agent.

(ii) In a sample of ground water the concentration of Cd2+(aq) is 1.00 × 10–4 mol dm–3.

Calculate the concentration of CH3NH2(aq) needed to reduce the concentration of Cd2+(aq)

in this dilute solution by a factor of one thousand.

concentration of CH3NH2(aq) = ............................. mol dm–3 [2]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16

 11

(b) Values for ∆H o and ∆G o for equilibria I and II, and the value of ∆S o for equilibrium I, are given
in the table below. All values are at a temperature of 298 K.

equilibrium ∆H o / kJ mol–1 ∆G o / kJ mol–1 ∆S o / J K–1 mol–1

I –57.3 –37.4 –66.8
II –56.5 –60.7 to be calculated

(i) Suggest a reason why the ∆H o values for the two equilibria are very similar.

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ...................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Calculate ∆S o for equilibrium II.

∆S o = ............................. J K–1 mol–1 [1]

(iii) Suggest a reason for the difference between the ∆S o you have calculated for equilibrium II
and that for equilibrium I given in the table.

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ...................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iv) Which of the two complexes is the more stable? Give a reason for your answer.

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ...................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 8]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16 [Turn over

 12

6 Esterases are enzymes that hydrolyse esters.

O O
R C + H2O R C + HO–R'

O R' O H

Enzymes can be quite specific in the structures of the substrates they act upon. For example, an
esterase isolated from the mould Aspergillus niger will hydrolyse phenyl ethanoate, CH3CO2C6H5,
but not its isomer methyl benzoate, C6H5CO2CH3.

(a) Outline how enzymes catalyse reactions, and explain their specificity.
Use diagrams in your answer where appropriate.

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [3]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16

 13

(b) Sample bottles of each of the isomers phenyl ethanoate and methyl benzoate have lost their
labels and so have been named isomer A and isomer B.

(i) The carbon-13 NMR spectra of isomers A and B contain the following peaks.

isomer A isomer B
δ 52 δ 26
δ 128 δ 122
δ 129 δ 126
δ 130 δ 129
δ 133 δ 151
δ 167 δ 169

The identity of the compound responsible for each spectrum can be deduced by studying
the chemical shifts (δ) of the peaks in the spectra.

Use the Data Booklet to assign the correct peaks to the labelled carbon atoms in the
structures of the isomers below. Write each value next to the relevant carbon atom and
hence deduce the identity of each isomer.

................... ...................
O
O CH3 C CH3
C O
O ................... ...................

phenyl ethanoate is isomer ............... methyl benzoate is isomer ...............

[2]

(ii) These two isomers are difficult to distinguish chemically.

Describe a method of converting them to suitable products in step 1 which can then be
tested in step 2.
You should state the reagents and conditions for each step, and any observations you
would make.

step 1 . .................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

step 2 . .................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................
[3]

[Total: 8]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16 [Turn over

 14

7 (a) Amino acids can be separated by electrophoresis.

(i) Draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus used to separate a mixture by electrophoresis.

[3]

(ii) Explain the principles of the separation of amino acids by electrophoresis.

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ...................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) Electrophoresis is usually carried out in a buffer solution.

Given three buffers, with pH values of 2.0, 7.0 and 12.0, suggest, with a reason, which buffer
would be the most suitable for the separation of the following amino acid mixtures.
Your reasons should refer to the structure of each molecule.
(The structures of these amino acids are given in the Data Booklet.)

(i) Asp and Val

buffer pH ..............................................................................................................................

reason . ................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

(ii) Lys and Ser

buffer pH ..............................................................................................................................

reason . ................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

(iii) Tyr and Phe

buffer pH ..............................................................................................................................

reason . ................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................
[3]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16

 15

(c) (i) Draw the structure of the dipeptide Gly-Ser, showing the peptide bond in full.

[2]

The infra-red spectrum of Gly-Ser is shown below.

100
transmittance

50

E
G
F
0
4000 3000 2000 1500 1000 500
wavenumber / cm –1

(ii) Use the Data Booklet to identify the bond in the molecule of Gly-Ser that is responsible for
each of the peaks indicated on the above infra-red spectrum.

E ............................................

F ............................................

G ............................................
[2]

[Total: 12]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16 [Turn over

 16

8 (a) Describe and explain the trend in the solubility of the hydroxides down Group 2.

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [3]

(b) Calcium reacts vigorously with HCl (aq) producing H2(g).

Ca(s) + 2HCl (aq) → CaCl 2(aq) + H2(g)

(i) How would you expect the enthalpy change for this reaction to compare with the enthalpy
change for the reaction where HNO3(aq) is used in place of HCl but all other conditions
are the same?
Explain your answer.

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ...................................................................................................................................... [1]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16

 17

(ii) The ionic equation for this reaction is shown.

Ca(s) + 2H+(aq) → Ca2+(aq) + H2(g) ∆H o = x kJ mol–1

Construct a fully labelled Hess’ Law cycle to connect each side of this equation to the
relevant gas phase ions.

Use your cycle, the following data, and data from the Data Booklet, to calculate a value for x.

standard enthalpy of atomisation of Ca(s), (Ca) +178 kJ mol–1

standard enthalpy of hydration of Ca2+(g), (Ca2+) –1576 kJ mol–1

standard enthalpy of hydration of H+(g), (H+) –1090 kJ mol–1

x = ............................ kJ mol–1 [4]

(c) The standard enthalpy change for the reaction between Ca(s) and CH3CO2H(aq) is less
negative than x by 2 kJ mol–1.

Suggest an explanation for this.

....................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16 [Turn over

 18

9 The anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen can be synthesised from benzene via the following six steps.

step 1 step 2

OH step 3

CN

step 4

CO2H CO2H
step 5 step 6

J
ibuprofen

(a) Draw circles around any chiral carbon atoms in the above five formulae. [1]

(b) Suggest the structures of compounds H and J and draw them in the boxes above. [2]

(c) Suggest reagents and conditions for steps 1-6.

step 1 . ........................................................................................................................................

step 2 . ........................................................................................................................................

step 3 . ........................................................................................................................................

step 4 . ........................................................................................................................................

step 5 . ........................................................................................................................................

step 6 . ........................................................................................................................................
[6]

(d) Name the mechanism of step 1 and state the type of reaction for step 6.

step 1 . ........................................................................................................................................

step 6 . ........................................................................................................................................
[2]

[Total: 11]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16

 19

10 (a) (i) Complete the electronic configuration of the iron atom.

Fe 1s22s22p6................................... [1]

(ii) In some of its complexes, the Fe3+ ion has only one unpaired electron in its d orbitals.

Using the symbols ↑ and ↓ to represent electrons of opposite spins, complete the following
diagram to show the d orbital electronic configuration of this Fe3+ ion.

........ ........
3d energy

........ ........ ........

[1]

(b) A solution containing a mixture of Sn2+(aq) and Sn4+(aq) is added to a solution containing a
mixture of Fe2+(aq) and Fe3+(aq).

Use E o data from the Data Booklet to predict the reaction that might take place when the two
solutions are mixed, and write an equation for the reaction.

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [2]

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16 [Turn over

 20

(c) Hexaaquairon(III) ions are pale violet. They form a colourless complex with fluoride ions, F–,
equilibrium 1, and a deep-red complex with thiocyanate ions, SCN–, equilibrium 2.

[Fe(H2O)6]3+ + F– [Fe(H2O)5F]2+ + H2O equilibrium 1 Kstab = 2.0 × 105 mol–1 dm3

violet colourless

[Fe(H2O)6]3+ + SCN– [Fe(H2O)5SCN]2+ + H2O equilibrium 2 Kstab = 1.0 × 103 mol–1 dm3
violet deep-red

(i) Predict and explain the sequence of colour changes you would observe in each of the
following experiments.

• A few drops of KSCN(aq) are added to 5 cm3 of Fe3+(aq), followed by a few drops of
KF(aq).

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

• A few drops of KF(aq) are added to 5 cm3 of Fe3+(aq), followed by a few drops of
KSCN(aq).

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................

. ............................................................................................................................................
[4]

(ii) What type of reaction is occurring during the experiments in (i)?

. ...................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 9]

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every reasonable
effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will
be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge International
Examinations Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at www.cie.org.uk after
the live examination series.

Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of Cambridge Local
Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2016 9701/42/M/J/16