Homologous series worksheet

1 Ethanol and methanol are in the same homologous series.

Explain the meaning of the term homologous series.

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

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

[Total: 2]

2 Ethene, C2H4, is an alkene

Write the general formula of alkenes.

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

[Total: 1]

3 The structures of four organic compounds, C, D, E and F, are shown.

C D

H H H H H H

H C C C H C C C O H

H H H H H

E F

H H H H Br Br

H C C C C H H C C H

H H H H H H

Answer the following questions about these compounds.

State which compound, C, D, E or F:

(a) decolourises aqueous bromine .........................................................................................

[1]

(b) is an alcohol ......................................................................................................................

[1]

(c) is unsaturated ...................................................................................................................

[1]
 2

(d) is in the same homologous series as ethane. ..................................................................

[1]

[Total: 4]

4 The structure of four organic compounds, C, D, E and F, are shown.

C D

H H O H H H H H

H C C C H C C C C C H

H H O H H H H H H

E F

H H H H H

H C C C H C C

H H H H H

State which two of the compounds, C, D, E and F, are in the same homologous series.

..................................................................... and ...........................................................................

[1]

[Total: 1]

5 Ethanol, C2H5OH, is an alcohol.

(a) Complete these sentences about ethanol using words from the list.

different formula group identical molecule similar

Ethanol is part of the alcohol homologous series.

Each member of the alcohol homologous series has the same functional ......................

Members of the same homologous series have chemical properties that are ................. [2]

(b) When ethanol undergoes incomplete combustion, a small amount of carbon dioxide is produced.

Name two other substances that are produced when ethanol undergoes incomplete combustion.

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

and..................................................................................................................................... [2]
 3

[Total: 4]

6 Ethanol is a member of the alcohol homologous series.

Members of the same homologous series have the same general formula.

(a) State the general formula of alcohols.

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

(b) State two general characteristics, other than the same general formula, of all homologous
series.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

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

(c) One alcohol containing three carbon atoms is propan-1-ol.

Draw the structure of one other alcohol containing three carbon atoms.

Show all of the atoms and all of the bonds.

Name the alcohol you have drawn.

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

[Total: 5]

7 Ethanoic acid is a member of the homologous series of carboxylic acids.

State the general formula of this homologous series.

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

[Total: 1]

8 The reaction scheme shows five organic reactions, numbered 1 to 5.

carbon dioxide + water

2
1 3 4
sugar ethanol alkene A alkane B

compound C

Alkene A is converted into alkane B in reaction 4.

(a) State the reagent and conditions for reaction 4.

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

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

(b) State the general formula of alkanes.

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

[Total: 4]

9 The structures of four organic compounds, P, Q, R and S, are shown.

P Q R S
H
H H H H H H H H

H C C O H H C H H C C C H C C C H
H O
H H H H H H H
H C C C

H H O H

Answer the following questions about these structures.

Each structure may be used once, more than once or not at all.

(a) (i) State which structure, P, Q, R or S, has a carboxylic acid functional group.

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

(ii) State which structure, P, Q, R or S, is in the same homologous series as ethane.

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

(iii) State which structure, P, Q, R or S, decolourises aqueous bromine.

................................................................................................................................ [1]
 5

(iv) Deduce the molecular formula of structure Q to show the number of carbon, hydrogen
and oxygen atoms.

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

(b) Structure S is produced by cracking petroleum fractions.

Complete the sentence using a word from the list.

acids alkenes alcohols nitrogen

During cracking, long-chain alkanes are converted to shorter chain alkanes and

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

[Total: 5]

10 Some esters have the same molecular formula as propyl propanoate, but different structures.

(a) State the term used to describe substances with the same molecular formula but different
structure.

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

(b) Name two esters with the same molecular formula as propyl propanoate.

1 ......................................................................................................................................

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

[Total: 3]

11 State the name given to a family of organic compounds with similar chemical properties.

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

[Total: 1]

12 Esters are a family of organic compounds with similar chemical properties. They can be represented
by the formula CnH2nO2.

State the name given to a formula such as CnH2nO2.

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

[Total: 1]
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13 Esters are a family of organic compounds with similar chemical properties. They can be represented
by the formula CnH2nO2.

Explain why members of a family of organic compounds have similar chemical properties.

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

[Total: 1]

14 The table shows the structures of some organic compounds.

compound structure of compound homologous series

H H H

G H C C C H alkane

H H H

H H H

H H C C C O H

H H H

H H

J H C C C

H H H

(a) Complete the table by naming the homologous series.

The first one has been done for you. [2]

(b) Draw the structure of a compound containing two carbon atoms which belongs to the same
homologous series as compound H.

Show all of the atoms and all of the bonds.

[1]
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(c) Describe the colour change when an excess of compound J is added to aqueous bromine.

from ..................................................................................................................................

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

[Total: 5]

15 The table shows the structures of some organic compounds.

compound structure of compound homologous series

H H O

F H C C C O H carboxylic acid

H H

H H

G C C

H H

H H H

H H C C C H

H H H

Complete the table by naming the homologous series.

The first one has been done for you. [2]

[Total: 2]

16 The structure of but-2-ene is shown.

H H H

H C C C C H

H H H

(a) But-2-ene reacts with aqueous bromine in an addition reaction.

Describe the colour change seen when but-2-ene is added to aqueous bromine.

from ..................................................................................................................................

to ....................................................................................................................................... [1]
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(b) State what is meant by the term addition reaction.

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

(c) Write the chemical equation for the reaction between but-2-ene and bromine.

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

(d) But-2-ene forms a polymer.

Suggest the name of the polymer formed from but-2-ene.

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

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

(e) Name and draw a structural isomer of but-2-ene.

Show all of the atoms and all of the bonds.

structure

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

[Total: 7]

17 Members of one homologous series only react with chlorine in the presence of sunlight.

(a) Name a member of this homologous series.

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

(b) Name two products that form when the compound in (a) reacts with chlorine.

1 ......................................................................................................................................

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

[Total: 3]