2023 DSE Chemistry Solution

Paper 1 Section A

Part I
Question No. Key Question No. Key
1. C 13. D
2. D 14. A
3. A 15. B
4. A 16. B
5. C 17. A
6. D 18. C
7. C 19. D
8. B 20. A
9. C 21. B
10. D 22. A
11. B 23. B
12. B 24. C

Part II
Question No. Key Question No. Key
25. B 31. C
26. C 32. B
27. D 33. A
28. A 34. C
29. D 35. A
30. D 36. C

A B C D
Part I 6 7 6 5
Part II 3 2 4 3
Total 9 9 10 8
(Consistent with previous years, each option has a frequency of 9 ± 1)

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Paper 1 Section B
IMPORTANT: THE FOLLOWING ANSWERS ARE STRICTLY
FOR REFERENCE ONLY. IT MAY OR MAY NOT REFLECT THE
REAL STANDARD OF MARKING EMPLOYED BY THE
AUTHORITY. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Part I
Marks
1. (a) †Alkaline earth metals 1
(b) (i) CO2(g) + Ca(OH)2 → CaCO3(s) + H2O(l) 1
(State symbols optional) (Ignore incorrect state symbols)
(ii) Calcium hydrogencarbonate / Ca(HCO3)2 1
(c) Relative atomic mass of strontium
= 84 × 0.56 % + 86 × 9.86 % + 87 × 7.02 % + 88 × 82.56 % 1*
= 87.71 (Accept 87.7 / 87.710 / 87.7102) 1
(d) (i) 1

(Accept any symbols for electrons)

(Accept showing outermost shell of Sr2+ having 8 electrons)
(ii) (1): strontium ions (Not accept: atoms); delocalized electrons 1
(2): †giant ionic 1
(iii) • Solid strontium has high electrical conductivity due to presence 1
of delocalized / mobile electrons in the metal. (Not accept: free
electrons)
• Solid strontium chloride has low electrical conductivity because 1
Sr2+ and Cl- ions are not mobile in solid state.

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Marks
2. (a) †Fractional distillation of liquefied air / liquid air 1
(b) (i) Sulphur dioxide / SO2 1
(ii) 3SO2(g) + Cr2O72-(aq) + 2H+(aq) → 3SO42-(aq) + 2Cr3+(aq) + H2O(l) 1
(State symbols optional) (Ignore incorrect state symbols)
(c) 2PbS(s) + 3O2(g) → 2PbO(s) + 2SO2(g) 1
(State symbols optional) (Ignore incorrect state symbols)
(d) Fume cupboard because PbO / PbS / lead compound are toxic / SO2
1
has a choking smell / can attack human respiratory system.
(e) (i) Grey / silvery / shiny / metallic solid 1
(ii) Yes. The oxidation number of Pb decreases from +2 (in PbO) to 0 (in 1
Pb) / the oxidation number of C increases from 0 (in C) to +4 (in
CO2).

3. (a) Reactivity: C > A > B 1

(b) Gas Y can burn with a “pop” sound when a burning splint is placed
1
nearby.
(c) (i) Any ONE of the following: 1
• (Colourless) gas evolves.
• Metal C dissolves.
• Metal C drags / moves on the surface of water.
• Sparks are observed / (lilac) flame is observed / metal C burns.
• Heat evolves.
• White fume evolves.
(ii) The reaction of metal C with dilute hydrochloric acid is explosive / 1
highly exothermic. Hydrochloric acid may splash out and burn the
skin.
(d) • Use a test tube to hold some BNO3(aq). Then add a strip of metal 1
A into the test tube. (Zero mark for incorrect choice of
chemicals)
• Some solid with a metallic luster should be deposited on the 1
surface of metal A / metal A should dissolve, implying that a
metal displacement reaction has occurred. This confirms that
metal A is more reactive than metal B.

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Marks
4. (a) (i) Basicity of tartronic acid
24.62 10−3  0.207 1*
=
25.00 10−3  0.102
≈2 1
(ii) 1

(iii) • If tartronic acid ionizes completely in water, [H+(aq)] = 0.204 M 1

and the pH will be – log(0.204) ≈ 0.69
• However, the actual pH (1.87) is higher than 0.69, therefore 1
tartronic acid only ionizes partly in water.
(Also accept comparing 0.102 M with 0.0135 M)

5. (a) Note that P is HF.

1

• The drawing should show at least TWO HF molecules.

• Should show complete HF molecules.
• Should indicate the hydrogen bonds by dash lines.
• Each H atom can only form one hydrogen bond.
• F-H-F angle not necessary be drawn as 180º in the figure.

• Fluorine is a highly / very electronegative element. 1

• The H—F covalent bond is very / highly polar / The H—F 1
molecule is highly polarized.
• Therefore, hydrogen bonds are formed between H atoms and lone
pair of electrons on F atoms.
(b) (i) Q is CH3F. 1
(ii) Polarities of C—H bond and C—F bonds are different as H and F 1
have different electronegativities. Thus, polarities of the bonds caanot
cancel out each other and there is a net polarity in a molecule of Q.

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Marks
6. (a) Enthalpy change of combustion of hexane
−100.0  4.20 13.4 1*
= J mol-1
0.120  (6 12.0 + 14 1.0)
= -4033400 J mol-1
= −4033.4 kJ mol-1 1
(b) (i) 2C6H14(l) + 19O2(g) → 12CO2(g) + 14H2O(l) 1
(Must show correct state symbols)
(ii) Standard enthalpy change of combustion of hexane

=  H f [products] −  H f [reactants]

= 6 × −393.5 + 7 × −285.9 − (−167.2) 1*

= − 4195.1 kJ mol-1 1
(c) Experiment in (a) was not performed under standard conditions. / 1
Incomplete combustion of hexane occurs.

7. (a) †2,2-dimethylpropane / dimethylpropane 1

(b) Y burns with a sootier flame than X. 1
(c) • Test with acidified KMnO4(aq) 1
• Y can turn acidified KMnO4(aq) from purple to colourless, but X 1
gives no observable change with acidified KMnO4(aq).
(Also accept using Br2(aq/ in organic solvent) / neutral / alkaline
KMnO4(aq) with correct observation)
(d) 1

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Marks
8. (a) 1

(b) Act as an electrolyte / provide mobile ions to complete the circuit / 1

2+
provide Ni (aq) ions for the reaction at the cathode.
(c) Ni2+(aq) + 2e- → Ni(s) 1
(State symbols optional) (Ignore incorrect state symbols)
(d) • Since Ni(s) is a stronger oxidizing agent than OH-(aq) ions and 1
SO42-(aq) ions, Ni(s) will preferentially oxidized to give Ni2+(aq)
compared to OH-(aq) ions and SO42-(aq) ions.
• While Ni2+(aq) ions are consumed at the cathode, Ni2+(aq) ions 1
are formed at the same rate at the anode. There is no change in
concentration of Ni2+(aq) ions in the electrolyte, and thus no
observable change in the solution.
(e) To enhance the corrosion resistance of iron / to give iron a more 1
attractive appearance.

9. • Add excess magnesium carbonate to dilute sulphuric acid. 1

• Filter to collect MgSO4(aq) / filtrate / solution / 1
Filter off the solid / excess MgCO3(s)
• Evaporate the filtrate, allow MgSO4 solid to crystalise out. 1
• Obtain the crystals by filtration. Wash the crystals with small 1
amount of cold distilled water. Then dry it (with filter paper / in a
dessiccator).
• Communication mark 1
(Chemicla knowledge = 0 to 2, communication mark = 0
Chemical knowledge = 3 to 4, commuicatoin mark = 0 or 1
Incomplete answer or difficult to understand, communication
mark = 0)
(Need to indicate excess MgCO3 has been used to give a
complete answer.)
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2023 DSE Chemistry Solution

Part II
Marks
10. (a) Concentration of A(aq) and C(aq) remains unchanged after the 30th 1
minute.
(b) • Graph starting from 0, upward sloping with curvature, and 1
levelling off at 0.30 mol dm-3 from the 30th minute.
(c) Kc
[B(aq)]2 [C(aq)]
=
[A(aq)]2
0.302  0.15 1*
=
0.102
= 1.35 mol dm-3 (Accept M as unit) 1
(d) • Concentration of A(aq) increases as temperature changes from T1 1
to T2, implying that the equilibrium (position) has shifted to the
left.
• An endothermic reaction is opposed by a decrease in 1
temperature. Thus, T2 is the lower temperature.

11. (a) (i) †Cis-but-2-ene 1

(ii) 1

(must show bond angle approximately 120º)

(b) (i) Reagent: Concentrated sulphuric acid / concentrated phosphoric acid / 1
aluminium oxide
Condition: heating
(ii) 1

(iii) 1

(iv) Enantiomers of Z can rotate plane of polarization of plane-polarized 1

light to same degree but opposite directions.

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2023 DSE Chemistry Solution

12. 3

• 1 mark for intermediate

• 1 mark for each correct reagent and condition
• For the first step, also accept KMnO4(aq) / H+(aq)
• For the second step, also accept 1. PCl3; 2. NH3. Need to indicate
clearly that the conversion is accomplished in two separate steps
• Accept expressing the second step as
 CH3CH2CH2COOH → CH3CH2CH2COCl (Reagent: PCl3)
 CH3CH2CH2COCl → CH3CH2CH2CONH2 (Reagent: NH3)

13. (a) • Both P4O10 and SO2 have simple molecular structure with weak 1
van der Waals’ forces between molecules.
• Since the molecular size of P4O10 is larger than that of SO2, van 1
der Waals’ forces between molecules of P4O10 is stronger than
that between SO2 molecules. Thus, P4O10 has a higher melting
point than SO2. (Accept: more electrons; not accept: larger
molecular mass)
• SiO2 has a giant covalent structure with strong covalent bonds 1
between Si atoms and O atoms (not accept: ions). Therefore, SiO2
has the highest melting point.
(b) (i) 2Fe2+(aq) + H2O2(aq) + 2H+(aq) → 2Fe3+(aq) + 2H2O(l) 1
(State symbols optional) (Ignore incorrect state symbols)
(ii) • Fe has variable oxidation numbers: +2 in Fe2+ and +3 in Fe3+ 1
• Fe forms coloured ions in aqueous solution: Fe2+(aq) is green / 1
Fe3+(aq) is yellow

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Marks
14.

• Correct axis (x-axis: absorbance / colour intensity; y-axis: time) 1

• Downward sloping curve (Not accept: straight line) 1
• Br2(aq) is brown / orange while other reactants and products are 1
colourless. Therefore, colorimetry can be used. Absorbance /
intensity of the reaction mixture decreases as the reaction
proceeds.
• As the reaction proceeds, concentration of Br2(aq) decreases. 1
• Therefore, the graph gradually becomes less steep and finally 1
levels off when the reaction is completed.
• Communication mark 1
(Chemicla knowledge = 0 to 3, communication mark = 0
Chemical knowledge = 4 to 5, commuicatoin mark = 0 or 1
Incomplete answer or difficult to understand, communication
mark = 0)

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2023 DSE Chemistry Solution

Paper 2
Marks
1. (a) (i) (1) This is to solve solve the problem of shrinking and inadequate 1
supply of vitamin C.
(2) Any ONE of the following: 1
• Toxic Cl2 has been used.
• Corrosive concentrated H2SO4 has been used.
• Multiple steps involved, making it difficult to retrieve and purify
vitamin C. High energy is needed.
(ii) (1) Natural gas / biomass / landfill waste / municipal waste / organic 1
waste / crude oil / petroleum / biogas / combustible ice (Not
accept: coal / LPG / cracking of naphtha)
(2) CH4(g) + H2O(g) → CO(g) + 3H2(g) 1
(State symbols optional) (Ignore incorrect state symbols)
(iii) Any TWO of the followings: 2
• Hydrogen gas
• Chlorine gas
• Sodium hydroxide solution
(b) (i) Activation energy is the minimum energy possessed by colliding 1
reactants to start a reaction.
(ii) 2

• Correct labelling of axis and correct sketching of graph 1

• Correct labelling of Ea 1
(iii) Ea of backward reaction = 20 − (−92) = 112 kJ mol-1 1
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Marks
(iv) • Temperature: 400℃ − 500℃; Pressure: 200 – 300 atm 1
• A lower temperature can shift the equilibrium position to the 1
right and increase yield of ammonia. However, the rate of
reaction is low at lower temperature.
• A higher pressure can shift the equilibrium position to the right 1
and increase yield of ammonia. However, the maintenance and
construction cost will be high at higher pressure.
(v) The statement is incorrect. A catalyst will increase the rates of forward 1
and backward reaction to the same extent. The equilibrium position
will not change, and yield of ammonia remains unchanged also.
(c) (i) (1) Make the catalyst into porous form to increase its surface area. 1
(2) Y is a catalyst which can be reused. Recovering Y can save 1
chemicals / reduce cost on chemicals.
(3) Side products such as H2O may form. Yield of H2O2 will be low. / 1
The rate of reaction between hydrogen gas and oxygen gas to form
hydrogen peroxide is very low in the absence of a catalyst.
(ii) (1) Suppose rate = k[H2O2(aq)][I-(aq)]a[H+(aq)]b
Trial 1 0.0010  0.10a  0.10b 2.8 10−6
: =
Trial 2 0.0020  0.10a  0.0010b 5.6 10−6
Thus b = 0, i.e., the reaction is zeroth order with respect to H+(aq). 1
−6
Trial 1 0.0010  0.10  0.10
a 0
2.8 10
: =
Trial 3 0.0020  0.50  0.10
a 0
2.8 10−5
Thus a = 1, i.e., the reaction is first order with respect to I-(aq). 1
(2) 2.8 × 10-6 = k(0.0010)1(0.10)1(0.10)0 1
k = 0.028 dm3 mol-1 s-1 1

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Marks
3. (a) (i) • Conduct flame test on the two samples. 1
• Ca(NO3)2(s) gives a brick-red flame, while Mg(NO3)2 gives no 1
characteristic flame.
(Accept other suitable tests, such as dissolving the samples in water
followed by addition of SO42-(aq) - Ca(NO3)2: white ppt; Mg(NO3)2:
no observable change)
(ii) (Solid) sodium hydroxide is deliquescent / hygroscopic / can absorb 1
H2O. / (Solid) sodium hydroxide can absorb / react with carbon
dioxide (gas from air). (Not accept: react with water / adsorb H2O /
CO2)
(iii) • Add the mixture of hexanoic acid and hexan-1-ol to a separating 1
funnel containing (ether and) sodium carbonate solution / sodium
hydrogencarbonate solution / sodium hydroxide solution. Shake
the funnel thoroughly until two layers of immiscible liquids are
formed. (Accept no organic solvent / other suitable organic
solvent)
• Collect the upper organic layer. Obtain hexan-1-ol by evaporation 1
of ether / fractional distillation.
(b) (i) †Volumetric flask 1
(ii) (1) From blue-black to colourless 1
(2) Concentration of NaOCl
21.02 10−3  2  0.0512  250.0  25.0 1*
= −3
mol dm-3
25.00 10
= 0.215 mol dm × (23.0 + 16.0 + 35.5) g mol-1
-3
1*
= 16.0 g dm-3 1
(3) Deviation = (16.0 – 15.5)/15.5×100% = 3.46% < 5%
Thus, it fulfils the quality control standard. 1
(iii) To increase reliability of the experimental result / to reduce 1
experimental error / human error.
(c) (i) (1) Since the molecular ion peak is at m/z = 86, relative molecular
mass of A is 86.
12.0 × n + 1.0 × 2n + 16.0 = 86
n=5
Molecular formula of A is C5H10O. 1

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Marks
+
(2) The ion peak at m/z = 43 is due to [CH3CO] and the ion peak at 1
m/z = 71 is due to [CH3CH2CH2CO]+.
1

Thus, A is .
(ii) 1

(iii) • Test with Tollens’ reagent. 1

• C gives a silver mirror, but B gives no observable change. 1
[Alternative answer]
• Test with acidified potassium dichromate solution. 1
• C can change the reaction mixture from orange to green, while B 1
gives no observable change.
(iv) • Only infrared-spectra of C shows an absorption peak at 1680 to 1
1800 cm-1, but that of D does not.
• Only infrared-spectra of D shows an absorption peak at 3230 to 1
3670 cm-1, but that of C does not.
(0 mark for no comparative sense)

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