CUET UG Chemistry Booster Test - 2 Chemical Reactions and Uses
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QUESTION 1 OF 20
Statements regarding alcohols as nucleophiles:
1. They react as nucleophiles due to the presence of unshared electron pairs on oxygen.
2. The O–H bond is broken during this reaction.
3. The C–O bond remains intact when alcohol acts as a nucleophile.
4. Alcohols can act as Brønsted bases.
QUESTION 2 OF 20
Which species acts as the electrophile when the C–O bond of an alcohol is broken?
QUESTION 3 OF 20
Identify the reaction type when phenol reacts with aqueous sodium hydroxide to form sodium phenoxide.
QUESTION 4 OF 20
Arrange the following in increasing order of acid strength based on pKa values:
1. Ethanol
2. p-Cresol
3. Phenol
4. m-Nitrophenol
QUESTION 5 OF 20
Why do electron-releasing groups (like –CH₃) decrease the acid strength of alcohols?
QUESTION 6 OF 20
Match List-I (Compound) with List-II (Approximate pKa Value)
| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| 1. o-Nitrophenol | a. 15.9 |
| 2. m-Nitrophenol | b. 10.0 |
| 3. Phenol | c. 7.2 |
| 4. Ethanol | d. 8.3 |
QUESTION 7 OF 20
QUESTION 8 OF 20
QUESTION 9 OF 20
Arrange the following compounds in decreasing order of their reactivity with HCl (Lucas test):
1. Tertiary alcohol
2. Secondary alcohol
3. Primary alcohol
4. Phenol
QUESTION 10 OF 20
Statements about the Lucas test:
1. It uses a reagent containing concentrated HCl and ZnCl₂.
2. Alcohols are miscible in the reagent.
3. Alkyl halides formed are miscible and produce a clear solution.
4. Tertiary alcohols produce turbidity immediately.
QUESTION 11 OF 20
What is the IUPAC name of the major product formed when 1-methylcyclohexanol undergoes acid-catalysed dehydration?
QUESTION 12 OF 20
In the acid-catalysed dehydration of ethanol, which step is the slowest and rate-determining?
QUESTION 13 OF 20
The temperature unit at which the vapours of a primary alcohol are passed over heated copper to undergo dehydrogenation is:
QUESTION 14 OF 20
Match List-I (Reactant) with List-II (Product obtained on passing vapours over heated copper at 573 K)
| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| 1. Primary alcohol | a. Alkene (Dehydration) |
| 2. Secondary alcohol | b. Ketone |
| 3. Tertiary alcohol | c. Aldehyde |
| 4. Heated Cu at 573 K | d. Catalyst used for dehydrogenation/dehydration |
QUESTION 15 OF 20
Which isomer of nitrophenol is steam volatile due to intramolecular hydrogen bonding?
QUESTION 16 OF 20
When phenol is treated with bromine water, the product formed as a white precipitate is:
QUESTION 17 OF 20
Arrange the sequence of intermediates/reactants in Kolbe's reaction:
1. Phenoxide ion
2. Phenol
3. Reaction with CO₂ followed by acidification
4. Ortho hydroxybenzoic acid
QUESTION 18 OF 20
Identify the reaction type that introduces a –CHO group at the ortho position of phenol using CHCl₃ and NaOH.
QUESTION 19 OF 20
Statements regarding cleavage of alkyl aryl ethers:
1. They are cleaved at the alkyl–oxygen bond.
2. The aryl–oxygen bond is more stable due to partial double bond character.
3. The reaction yields phenol and an alkyl halide.
4. They yield aryl halide and alcohol.
QUESTION 20 OF 20
In anisole, the methoxy group directs the incoming electrophile to which positions?
Test Complete!
Answer Review
1 Statements regarding alcohols as nucleophiles:
1. They react as nucleophiles due to the presence of unshared electron pairs on oxygen.
2. The O–H bond is broken during this reaction.
3. The C–O bond remains intact when alcohol acts as a nucleophile.
4. Alcohols can act as Brønsted bases.
�� Alcohols act as nucleophiles through the lone pair on oxygen. �� The C–O bond remains intact during nucleophilic attack. �� Alcohols can also behave as Brønsted bases.
Statement 1 is correct because the oxygen atom possesses lone pairs that can attack an electrophile. Statement 2 is incorrect because cleavage of the O–H bond occurs when alcohol behaves as a Brønsted acid, not when it acts as a nucleophile. Statement 3 is correct because during nucleophilic reactions the oxygen atom donates its lone pair while the C–O bond remains intact. Statement 4 is correct because alcohols can accept a proton through the lone pair present on oxygen and therefore behave as Brønsted bases. Hence, statements 1, 3 and 4 are correct, so Option A is the correct answer.
- �� Option B → Includes statement 2, which is incorrect.
- �� Option C → Includes statement 2 and omits statement 1.
- �� Option D → Includes statement 2, which is incorrect.
Used
- Elimination
Application:
- Verify each statement using the NCERT concept of nucleophilic behaviour of alcohols.
Final Logic:
- Lone Pair Present + C–O Bond Intact + Brønsted Base Property = Correct Statements.
Lone Pair Attacks, Bond Stays
2 Which species acts as the electrophile when the C–O bond of an alcohol is broken?
�� Protonation converts –OH into a good leaving group. �� Protonated alcohol becomes electrophilic. �� Nucleophiles attack the carbon atom.
Before C–O bond cleavage, the alcohol is protonated by an acid to form a protonated alcohol. This converts the poor leaving group (–OH) into water, making the carbon atom more susceptible to nucleophilic attack. Thus, the protonated alcohol acts as the electrophilic species. Therefore, option B is correct.
- �� Option A → Alkoxide ion is nucleophilic, not electrophilic.
- �� Option C → Phenoxide ion is also nucleophilic.
- �� Option D → Carboxylate ions are nucleophiles rather than electrophiles.
Used
- Elimination
Application:
- Identify the activated species formed before substitution.
Final Logic:
- Protonation Creates the Electrophile.
H⁺ First, Attack Next
3 Identify the reaction type when phenol reacts with aqueous sodium hydroxide to form sodium phenoxide.
�� Phenol behaves as a weak acid. �� Sodium hydroxide acts as a base. �� Sodium phenoxide and water are formed.
Phenol reacts with aqueous sodium hydroxide by donating a proton to the hydroxide ion. This acid-base reaction produces sodium phenoxide and water. No oxidation, reduction or substitution occurs. Therefore, option B is correct.
- �� Option A → No substitution on the aromatic ring occurs.
- �� Option C → Oxidation does not take place.
- �� Option D → Reduction does not occur.
Used
- Elimination
Application:
- Identify the nature of the reaction based on products formed.
Final Logic:
- Phenol + NaOH → Sodium Phenoxide + Water.
Phenol + Base = Phenoxide
4 Arrange the following in increasing order of acid strength based on pKa values:
1. Ethanol
2. p-Cresol
3. Phenol
4. m-Nitrophenol
�� Alcohols are weaker acids than phenols. �� Methyl groups decrease acidity. �� Nitro groups increase acidity.
Ethanol is the weakest acid because it lacks resonance stabilization of its conjugate base. p-Cresol is slightly less acidic than phenol because the methyl group exerts an electron-releasing (+I) effect. Phenol is more acidic due to resonance stabilization of the phenoxide ion. m-Nitrophenol is the strongest acid because the nitro group withdraws electrons through the −I effect, stabilizing the phenoxide ion. Therefore, the increasing order of acid strength is: Ethanol < p-Cresol < Phenol < m-Nitrophenol. Hence, option D is correct.
- �� Option A → Places ethanol above phenol.
- �� Option B → Gives the reverse order.
- �� Option C → Places m-nitrophenol before phenol incorrectly.
Used
- Option Grouping
Application:
- Compare the effects of electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups.
Final Logic:
- Alcohol < Alkyl Phenol < Phenol < Nitro Phenol.
Nitro Strong, Methyl Weak
5 Why do electron-releasing groups (like –CH₃) decrease the acid strength of alcohols?
�� Alkyl groups show the +I effect. �� Electron density on oxygen increases. �� Proton release becomes more difficult.
Electron-releasing alkyl groups exert a positive inductive (+I) effect, increasing the electron density on the oxygen atom. As a result, the O–H bond becomes less polar, making it more difficult to release a proton. Consequently, the acidity of alcohols decreases. Therefore, option A is correct.
- �� Option B → Electron-releasing groups do not decrease electron density.
- �� Option C → Delocalization is not produced by methyl groups.
- �� Option D → Hydrogen bonding does not explain the decrease in acidity.
Used
- Elimination
Application:
- Recall the effect of the +I effect on acidity.
Final Logic:
- +I Effect → Lower Acidity.
CH₃ Pushes, Acid Falls
6 Match List-I (Compound) with List-II (Approximate pKa Value)
| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| 1. o-Nitrophenol | a. 15.9 |
| 2. m-Nitrophenol | b. 10.0 |
| 3. Phenol | c. 7.2 |
| 4. Ethanol | d. 8.3 |
�� Nitro groups increase acidity. �� Ethanol is much less acidic than phenol. �� Lower pKa indicates stronger acidity.
1 → c : o-Nitrophenol has a pKa of approximately 7.2. 2 → d : m-Nitrophenol has a pKa of approximately 8.3. 3 → b : Phenol has a pKa of approximately 10.0. 4 → a : Ethanol has a pKa of approximately 15.9. Therefore, option B is correct.
- �� Option A → o-Nitrophenol and m-nitrophenol are interchanged.
- �� Option C → Phenol and m-nitrophenol are incorrectly matched.
- �� Option D → Multiple incorrect pairings are present.
Used
- Option Grouping
Application:
- Match each compound with its approximate NCERT acidity trend.
Final Logic:
- Lower pKa = Stronger Acid.
o-Nitro < m-Nitro < Phenol < Ethanol
7
�� Pyridine acts as a base. �� It neutralises HCl formed. �� The equilibrium shifts towards ester formation.
As stated in the passage, pyridine is added during the reaction of alcohols with acid chlorides to neutralise the HCl produced. Removal of HCl shifts the equilibrium towards the products, increasing the yield of the ester. Therefore, option B is correct.
- �� Option A → Pyridine primarily acts as a base, not as the catalyst.
- �� Option C → Water removal is associated with esterification using carboxylic acids.
- �� Option D → The acetyl group is supplied by the acid chloride or acid anhydride, not by pyridine.
Used
- Contextual/Tonal Matching
Application:
- Locate the exact reason stated in the passage.
Final Logic:
- Pyridine Removes HCl → Ester Formation Favoured.
Pyridine Pulls HCl
8
�� Acetylation introduces an acetyl group. �� The acetyl group is CH₃CO–. �� Aspirin is formed from salicylic acid.
The passage states that acetylation is the introduction of an acetyl (CH₃CO) group into alcohols or phenols. Acetylation of salicylic acid introduces this group to form aspirin. Therefore, option C is correct.
- �� Option A → No salicyl group is introduced.
- �� Option B → Benzoyl and acetyl groups are different.
- �� Option D → The carboxyl group is already present in salicylic acid.
Used
- Contextual/Tonal Matching
Application:
- Identify the group explicitly mentioned in the passage.
Final Logic:
- Acetylation = CH₃CO Introduction.
Acetyl = CH₃CO
9 Arrange the following compounds in decreasing order of their reactivity with HCl (Lucas test):
1. Tertiary alcohol
2. Secondary alcohol
3. Primary alcohol
4. Phenol
�� Tertiary alcohols react immediately. �� Secondary alcohols react more slowly. �� Primary alcohols react very slowly, while phenol does not undergo the Lucas reaction.
Statement 1 represents tertiary alcohols, which react immediately with Lucas reagent because they readily form stable tertiary carbocations. Statement 2 represents secondary alcohols, which react after a short time due to the formation of less stable secondary carbocations. Statement 3 represents primary alcohols, which react very slowly or do not react at room temperature because primary carbocations are highly unstable. Statement 4 represents phenol, which does not react with Lucas reagent because the C–O bond has partial double bond character due to resonance and cannot undergo substitution under these conditions. Therefore, the decreasing order of reactivity is: Tertiary alcohol > Secondary alcohol > Primary alcohol > Phenol. Hence, option A is correct.
- �� Option B → Reverses the actual reactivity order.
- �� Option C → Places secondary alcohol above tertiary alcohol.
- �� Option D → Places primary alcohol above secondary alcohol.
Used
- Option Grouping
Application:
- Arrange compounds according to their ability to form carbocations and undergo substitution with Lucas reagent.
Final Logic:
- 3° Alcohol > 2° Alcohol > 1° Alcohol > Phenol.
3° Instant → 2° Minutes → 1° Slow → Phenol Never
10 Statements about the Lucas test:
1. It uses a reagent containing concentrated HCl and ZnCl₂.
2. Alcohols are miscible in the reagent.
3. Alkyl halides formed are miscible and produce a clear solution.
4. Tertiary alcohols produce turbidity immediately.
�� Lucas reagent contains concentrated HCl and ZnCl₂. �� Alcohols initially dissolve in the reagent. �� Tertiary alcohols react immediately.
Statement 1 is correct because Lucas reagent is a mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid and anhydrous zinc chloride. Statement 2 is correct because alcohols are initially miscible with the reagent. Statement 3 is incorrect because the alkyl halides formed are insoluble in the reaction mixture and produce turbidity rather than a clear solution. Statement 4 is correct because tertiary alcohols react rapidly, producing immediate turbidity. Therefore, option C is correct.
- �� Option A → Includes statement 3, which is incorrect.
- �� Option B → Includes statement 3, which is incorrect.
- �� Option D → Includes statement 3 and omits correct statements 1 and 4.
Used
- Elimination
Application:
- Verify each statement using the NCERT description of the Lucas test.
Final Logic:
- Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct; statement 3 is incorrect.
Lucas: Clear First, Cloudy Later
11 What is the IUPAC name of the major product formed when 1-methylcyclohexanol undergoes acid-catalysed dehydration?
�� Dehydration follows Zaitsev's rule. �� The more substituted alkene is the major product. �� 1-Methylcyclohexene is more stable than methylenecyclohexane.
1-Methylcyclohexanol is a tertiary alcohol and undergoes acid-catalysed dehydration through an E1 mechanism. The major product follows Zaitsev's rule, giving the more substituted and more stable alkene, 1-methylcyclohexene. Therefore, option A is correct.
- �� Option B → Methylenecyclohexane is the less substituted alkene and is formed as a minor product.
- �� Option C → Cyclohexene would require removal of the methyl group, which does not occur.
- �� Option D → Cyclohexanol is the reactant, not the dehydration product.
Used
- Elimination
Application:
- Choose the most stable alkene formed during dehydration.
Final Logic:
- More Substituted Alkene → Major Product.
Zaitsev = More Substituted Wins
12 In the acid-catalysed dehydration of ethanol, which step is the slowest and rate-determining?
�� Protonation occurs rapidly. �� Carbocation formation is the slowest step. �� Elimination produces the alkene.
In acid-catalysed dehydration, the alcohol is first protonated. The slowest and rate-determining step is the removal of water to generate the carbocation. The carbocation then rapidly loses a proton to form the alkene. Therefore, option B is correct.
- �� Option A → Protonation is a fast equilibrium step.
- �� Option C → Deprotonation is rapid after carbocation formation.
- �� Option D → Water is not added during dehydration.
Used
- Elimination
Application:
- Identify the highest-energy step in the reaction mechanism.
Final Logic:
- Carbocation Formation Controls the Rate.
Slow Step = Carbocation
13 The temperature unit at which the vapours of a primary alcohol are passed over heated copper to undergo dehydrogenation is:
�� Heated copper acts as the catalyst. �� Dehydrogenation occurs at 573 K. �� Primary alcohols produce aldehydes.
According to NCERT, vapours of primary and secondary alcohols passed over heated copper at 573 K undergo dehydrogenation. Primary alcohols produce aldehydes, whereas secondary alcohols produce ketones. Therefore, option A is correct.
- �� Option B → Used for dehydration conditions.
- �� Option C → Not used for this reaction.
- �� Option D → Too low for dehydrogenation.
Used
- Elimination
Application:
- Recall the standard NCERT reaction conditions.
Final Logic:
- Heated Copper = 573 K.
Copper = 573 K
14 Match List-I (Reactant) with List-II (Product obtained on passing vapours over heated copper at 573 K)
| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| 1. Primary alcohol | a. Alkene (Dehydration) |
| 2. Secondary alcohol | b. Ketone |
| 3. Tertiary alcohol | c. Aldehyde |
| 4. Heated Cu at 573 K | d. Catalyst used for dehydrogenation/dehydration |
�� Primary alcohols form aldehydes. �� Secondary alcohols form ketones. �� Tertiary alcohols undergo dehydration to alkenes.
1 → c : Primary alcohols undergo dehydrogenation to form aldehydes. 2 → b : Secondary alcohols undergo dehydrogenation to form ketones. 3 → a : Tertiary alcohols lack α-hydrogen and therefore undergo dehydration to form alkenes. 4 → d : Heated copper at 573 K acts as the catalyst for these reactions. Therefore, option C is correct.
- �� Option A → Primary alcohol is incorrectly matched with alkene.
- �� Option B → Primary and secondary alcohol products are interchanged.
- �� Option D → Secondary and tertiary alcohol products are incorrectly matched.
Used
- Option Grouping
Application:
- Match each class of alcohol with its characteristic reaction over heated copper.
Final Logic:
- 1° → Aldehyde, 2° → Ketone, 3° → Alkene.
1° Aldehyde, 2° Ketone, 3° Alkene
15 Which isomer of nitrophenol is steam volatile due to intramolecular hydrogen bonding?
�� o-Nitrophenol forms intramolecular hydrogen bonding. �� Molecules remain less associated. �� Hence, it is steam volatile.
o-Nitrophenol exhibits intramolecular hydrogen bonding, preventing intermolecular association between molecules. Consequently, it has a lower boiling point and is steam volatile. In contrast, p-nitrophenol forms intermolecular hydrogen bonding and is less volatile. Therefore, option C is correct.
- �� Option A → p-Nitrophenol forms intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
- �� Option B → m-Nitrophenol does not exhibit the characteristic intramolecular hydrogen bonding responsible for steam volatility.
- �� Option D → 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol (picric acid) is not steam volatile.
Used
- Elimination
Application:
- Compare the type of hydrogen bonding shown by nitrophenol isomers.
Final Logic:
- Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding → Steam Volatile.
Ortho = One Molecule Bond
16 When phenol is treated with bromine water, the product formed as a white precipitate is:
�� Phenol strongly activates the benzene ring. �� Bromination occurs at ortho and para positions. �� A white precipitate of 2,4,6-tribromophenol is formed.
The hydroxyl group in phenol strongly activates the benzene ring towards electrophilic substitution. On treatment with bromine water, bromination occurs readily at the two ortho and one para positions to form 2,4,6-tribromophenol as a white precipitate. Therefore, option C is correct.
- �� Option A → o-Bromophenol is formed under controlled bromination in non-polar solvents, not with bromine water.
- �� Option B → p-Bromophenol is not the major product with bromine water.
- �� Option D → 2,4-Dibromophenol is not the final product under these conditions.
Used
- Elimination
Application:
- Recall the characteristic reaction of phenol with bromine water.
Final Logic:
- Phenol + Br₂(aq) → 2,4,6-Tribromophenol.
Br₂ Water = White Tribromo
17 Arrange the sequence of intermediates/reactants in Kolbe's reaction:
1. Phenoxide ion
2. Phenol
3. Reaction with CO₂ followed by acidification
4. Ortho hydroxybenzoic acid
�� Phenol first forms phenoxide ion. �� Phenoxide reacts with CO₂. �� Acidification produces salicylic acid.
Statement 1 represents the phenoxide ion formed in the first step. Statement 2 represents phenol, which reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium phenoxide. Statement 3 represents the reaction of sodium phenoxide with carbon dioxide followed by acidification. Statement 4 represents ortho hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid), the final product. Therefore, the correct sequence is: Phenol → Phenoxide ion → CO₂ reaction followed by acidification → Ortho hydroxybenzoic acid. Hence, option C is correct.
- �� Option A → Begins with phenoxide ion instead of phenol.
- �� Option B → Places the final product before the intermediate.
- �� Option D → Incorrect reaction sequence.
Used
- Option Grouping
Application:
- Arrange the steps according to the NCERT mechanism of Kolbe's reaction.
Final Logic:
- Phenol → Phenoxide → CO₂ → Salicylic Acid.
Phenol → Phenoxide → CO₂ → COOH
18 Identify the reaction type that introduces a –CHO group at the ortho position of phenol using CHCl₃ and NaOH.
�� This is the Reimer–Tiemann reaction. �� A formyl group is introduced. �� The substitution occurs mainly at the ortho position.
In the Reimer–Tiemann reaction, phenol reacts with chloroform and sodium hydroxide to generate dichlorocarbene, which acts as the electrophile. The electrophile substitutes mainly at the ortho position of the activated aromatic ring. Hence, the reaction is an electrophilic aromatic substitution. Therefore, option B is correct.
- �� Option A → No nucleophilic addition occurs.
- �� Option C → The reaction is not a free radical process.
- �� Option D → Elimination is not involved.
Used
- Contextual/Tonal Matching
Application:
- Identify the reaction mechanism of the named reaction.
Final Logic:
- Reimer–Tiemann = Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution.
Reimer = Ring CHO
19 Statements regarding cleavage of alkyl aryl ethers:
1. They are cleaved at the alkyl–oxygen bond.
2. The aryl–oxygen bond is more stable due to partial double bond character.
3. The reaction yields phenol and an alkyl halide.
4. They yield aryl halide and alcohol.
�� Cleavage occurs at the alkyl–oxygen bond. �� The aryl–oxygen bond is resonance-stabilised. �� Products are phenol and an alkyl halide.
Statement 1 is correct because cleavage of alkyl aryl ethers occurs at the alkyl–oxygen bond. Statement 2 is correct because the aryl–oxygen bond possesses partial double bond character due to resonance and is difficult to break. Statement 3 is correct because the products are phenol and an alkyl halide. Statement 4 is incorrect because aryl halides are not formed during this reaction. Therefore, option A is correct.
- �� Option B → Includes statement 4, which is incorrect.
- �� Option C → Includes statement 4, which is incorrect.
- �� Option D → Includes statement 4, which is incorrect.
Used
- Elimination
Application:
- Verify each statement using the NCERT mechanism of ether cleavage.
Final Logic:
- Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct; statement 4 is incorrect.
Alkyl Breaks, Aryl Stays
20 In anisole, the methoxy group directs the incoming electrophile to which positions?
�� The methoxy group is electron-donating. �� It activates the aromatic ring. �� Electrophilic substitution occurs mainly at ortho and para positions.
The methoxy (–OCH₃) group donates electron density to the benzene ring through resonance (+M effect), increasing electron density at the ortho and para positions. Consequently, electrophilic substitution occurs predominantly at these positions. Therefore, option C is correct.
- �� Option A → The methoxy group is not meta-directing.
- �� Option B → Meta substitution is not favoured.
- �� Option D → Both ortho and para substitution occur.
Used
- Elimination
Application:
- Recall the directing effect of the methoxy group.
Final Logic:
- ��OCH₃ = Ortho/Para Director.
OCH₃ → O & P
