SSCE VCE Chemistry Rates of Chemical Reactions: Research is being conducted into

Question

Research is being conducted into the development of new biofuels. It is known that a type of bacteria, clostridium acetobutylicum, converts cellulose to butanol.

The following diagram represents a series of steps (which may involve multiple reactions) for the formation and combustion of the biofuels, ethanol and 1-butanol.

The step that represents an overall reduction reaction is the conversion of **carbon dioxide to glucose**. In this reaction, **CO₂ is reduced to glucose**, as it gains electrons.

To address sub-part b:

A balanced equation for step 4, where in a single reaction, 1-butanol reacts to form carbon dioxide, is:

$$C_4H_{10}O + 6 O_2 \rightarrow 4 CO_2 + 5 H_2O$$

For sub-part c:

In explaining the structural difference between the two molecules, sucrose (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁) possesses a larger molecular size (342 g mol⁻¹) compared to 1-butanol (C₄H₁₀O), which is much smaller (74 g mol⁻¹). This larger size of sucrose results in more extensive intermolecular attachments through hydrogen bonding and solubility kinetics in water. Conversely, the smaller size and fewer hydroxyl groups in 1-butanol limit its solubility. The branching and size of the sucrose molecule lead to less interaction with water molecules, making it highly soluble. In contrast, the linear structure of 1-butanol with only one hydroxyl group restricts its solubility significantly.

Lastly, addressing sub-part d:

The breakdown of sucrose is impacted by the presence of both water and sucrose because the addition of water promotes hydrolysis, allowing the enzyme sucrase to break the glycosidic bond, converting sucrose into its monosaccharide constituents, glucose and fructose.

Research is being conducted into the development of new biofuels - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 7 - 2009 - Paper 1

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Research is being conducted into the development of new biofuels - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 7 - 2009 - Paper 1

Identify one step that represents an overall reduction reaction.

Write a balanced equation for step 4 where, in a single reaction, 1-butanol reacts to form carbon dioxide.

Explain, in terms of the structure of these two molecules, why this is the case.

Why does the breakdown of sucrose require the presence of both water and sucrose?

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