Cambridge International AS & A Level

CHEMISTRY 9701/42
Paper 4 A Level Structured Questions February/March 2023
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 100

Published

This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.

Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.

Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.

Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the February/March 2023 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE™, Cambridge International A and AS Level components and some Cambridge O Level
components.

This document consists of 17 printed pages.

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Generic Marking Principles

These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the
specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:

Marks must be awarded in line with:

• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:

Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:

Marks must be awarded positively:

• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond the
scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the
question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:

Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level
descriptors.

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GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:

Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may
be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:

Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or
grade descriptors in mind.

Science-Specific Marking Principles

1 Examiners should consider the context and scientific use of any keywords when awarding marks. Although keywords may be present, marks
should not be awarded if the keywords are used incorrectly.

2 The examiner should not choose between contradictory statements given in the same question part, and credit should not be awarded for any
correct statement that is contradicted within the same question part. Wrong science that is irrelevant to the question should be ignored.

3 Although spellings do not have to be correct, spellings of syllabus terms must allow for clear and unambiguous separation from other syllabus
terms with which they may be confused (e.g. ethane / ethene, glucagon / glycogen, refraction / reflection).

4 The error carried forward (ecf) principle should be applied, where appropriate. If an incorrect answer is subsequently used in a scientifically
correct way, the candidate should be awarded these subsequent marking points. Further guidance will be included in the mark scheme where
necessary and any exceptions to this general principle will be noted.

5 ‘List rule’ guidance

For questions that require n responses (e.g. State two reasons …):

• The response should be read as continuous prose, even when numbered answer spaces are provided.
• Any response marked ignore in the mark scheme should not count towards n.
• Incorrect responses should not be awarded credit but will still count towards n.
• Read the entire response to check for any responses that contradict those that would otherwise be credited. Credit should not be
awarded for any responses that are contradicted within the rest of the response. Where two responses contradict one another, this should
be treated as a single incorrect response.
• Non-contradictory responses after the first n responses may be ignored even if they include incorrect science.

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6 Calculation specific guidance

Correct answers to calculations should be given full credit even if there is no working or incorrect working, unless the question states ‘show
your working’.

For questions in which the number of significant figures required is not stated, credit should be awarded for correct answers when rounded by
the examiner to the number of significant figures given in the mark scheme. This may not apply to measured values.

For answers given in standard form (e.g. a  10n) in which the convention of restricting the value of the coefficient (a) to a value between 1
and 10 is not followed, credit may still be awarded if the answer can be converted to the answer given in the mark scheme.

Unless a separate mark is given for a unit, a missing or incorrect unit will normally mean that the final calculation mark is not awarded.
Exceptions to this general principle will be noted in the mark scheme.

7 Guidance for chemical equations

Multiples / fractions of coefficients used in chemical equations are acceptable unless stated otherwise in the mark scheme.

State symbols given in an equation should be ignored unless asked for in the question or stated otherwise in the mark scheme.

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Question Answer Marks

1(a)(i) 1
[Ar] ↿⇂ ↿⇂ ↿⇂ ↿⇂ ↿⇂

1(a)(ii) 3

one ● for each of the eight species (including state symbol) on the correct line
AND one ● e–

any three [1] any six [2] all nine [3]

1(a)(iii) • EA becomes less negative/ less exothermic (down group / S to Te) 2

• atomic radii increases OR outer shell gets farther from nucleus OR electron added at higher energy level
OR more shielding (of outer shells)

• less nuclear attraction

OR less attraction for incoming/added electron

any two [1] all three [2]

1(a)(iv) M1: O2– (has same charge but) smaller (radius than S2–) ORA 1
OR oxygen has a smaller ion (than S2–)

M2: stronger ionic bond OR greater attraction between Zn2+ and O2– ORA 1

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Question Answer Marks

1(b)(i) S negative AND more moles / molecules of gaseous reactants ORA 1

OR S negative AND moles / molecules of gas are reduced (in the reaction)

1(b)(ii) S = 50.8 + 197.7 – 43.7 – 5.7 = (+)199.1 (J K–1 mol–1) 1

1(b)(iii) G = H – TS ALLOW G = H – TS 1

= +733 – (800 + 273)  0.218 = (+)499.086 (kJ mol–1) min 3sf 1

1(c)(i) Zn(NO3)2 → ZnO + 2NO2 + ½O2 1

OR 2Zn(NO3)2 → 2ZnO + 4NO2 + O2

1(c)(ii) increases (in thermal stability down the group) 1

AND (cat)ion(ic) radius / ion size increases (down the group)

less polarisation / less distortion 1

of anion/ of nitrate ion/NO3– / NO32–
OR less weakening of N—O bond

1(c)(iii) Mg(NO3)2 only ALLOW Mg2+ / magnesium 1

Question Answer Marks

2(a) H3PO2 1

2(b)(i) electrode potential E would become more positive / less negative (than E⦵) 1

lower [H2PO2–] AND shifts equilibrium to the right-hand side 1

2(b)(ii) +1.57 – 0.74 = (+)0.83 (V) 1

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Question Answer Marks

2(b)(iii) 3

• Pt(s) / C / graphite
• Cr(s)
• H+(aq) / any strong acid
• Cr3+(aq)
• H2(g)
• voltmeter / V
• salt bridge labelled
• conditions of 1 atm AND 1 mol dm–3 / 1 M / 1 mol / dm3
• other liquid level (salt bridge) and wire to electrode
any three [1] any six [2] all nine [3]

2(b)(iv) Pt electrode positive AND flow of electrons anticlockwise (to the SHE) 1

2(b)(v) H2PO2– + 3OH– + Ni2+ → HPO32– + 2H2O + Ni 1

2(c)(i) (6.4 / 24000) ÷ 60 = 4.44  10–6 (mol dm-3 s–1) min 2sf 1

2(c)(ii) [H2PO2–] doubles / 2 from experiments 1 to 2 ORA 1

volume of H2 produced doubles / 2 (∴ first order wrt [H2PO2–])

[H2PO2–]  3 and [OH–]  ½ from experiments 1 to 3 ORA 1

volume of H2 produced falls to ¾ original
(if first order wrt [H2PO2–] then must be second order wrt [OH–])

ALLOW input data into rate equation and show k is the same
k =2.8  10–6 / k = 6.7  10–2 (1 / 15) / k = 4 for all experiments [2]

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Question Answer Marks

2(c)(iii) mol–2 dm6 s–1 1

2(c)(iv) t½ = 0.693 / 8.25  10–5 = 8400 (s) OR t½ = In2 / 8.25  10–5 = 8401.8 (s) 1

2(c)(v) (k1) increases (with temperature) 1

2(d) • reactants adsorb (to surface of catalyst) 2

• bonds (in reactant) weaken
• (reaction occurs and the) products are desorbed
OR reaction occurs and substances are desorbed

any two [1] all three [2]

Question Answer Marks

3(a) (a d-block element forms one or more) 1

stable ions with incomplete filled d-subshell

3(b)(i) • they behave as catalysts 1

• they form complex ions / complexes
• they form coloured compounds / salts / ions

any two

3(b)(ii) the d and s sub-shells/orbitals 1

are close/similar in energy

3(c)(i) 0.02500  0.0300 OR 7.50  10–4 mol VO2+ 1

OR ½(28.15 + 28.10)/1000  0.0400 OR 1.13  10–3 mol C2O42–

Use of their values to show ratio of VO2+ : C2O42– = 1:1.5 1

ALLOW any viable approach

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Question Answer Marks

3(c)(ii) 1

3D structure

charge 1

3(d)(i) VO2+ AND E⦵ of H2O2 is largest / most positive value 1

OR VO2+ AND E⦵ is less positive than H2O2

3(d)(ii) +5 1

Question Answer Marks

4(a)(i) CH3CONH2 + 4[H] → CH3CH2NH2 + H2O 1

4(a)(ii) nucleophilic substitution 1

(ammonia with) ethanol AND heat under pressure 1

OR ethanol AND heat in a sealed tube

4(a)(iii) (CH3CH2)2NH OR (CH3CH2)3N 1

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Question Answer Marks

4(b) (least) phenylamine < ammonia < ethylamine (most) 1

explanation 3
• (order of basicity) ability of base AND to accept a proton
OR donate its lone pair (to a proton)
phenylamine
• lone pair / p-orbital from N delocalised / overlaps with (-)ring / benzene
ethylamine
• alkyl / ethyl group is electron donating group / +I group

• increases electron density on N (ethylamine) ORA

any two [1] any three [2] all four [3]

4(c) 1

concentrated HNO3 and H2SO4 (and 25–60 °C) 1

(reduction with) Sn and concentrated HCl (heat) 1

4(d)(i) 1

4(d)(ii) nitrous acid / HNO2 1

OR NaNO2 AND dilute HCl

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Question Answer Marks

4(d)(iii) phenol 1

4(d)(iv) NaOH / alkali 1

4(d)(v) dyestuffs / dyes 1

4(e)(i) species that uses one lone pair of electrons 1

that forms a single dative covalent bond to a central metal atom / ion 1

4(e)(ii)

correct 3D cis isomer 1

correct 3D trans isomer 1

4(e)(iii) 6 1

4(f)(i) units = mol–4 dm12 1

4(f)(ii) CdCl 4 2−  1
(Kstab =)  
4
Cd2+  Cl − 
  

4(f)(iii) [CdCl42–] = Kstab  0.043  0.0724 = 7.28 / 7.3  10–4 (mol dm–3) min 2sf 1

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Question Answer Marks

4(f)(iv) CH3NH2 (is basic so) reacts with water to produce OH– that reacts with Cd2+ 1
OR
CH3NH2 acts as a base and accepts a proton from Cd[H2O)6]2+ / water
OR
[Cd(H2O)6]2+ + 4CH3NH2 → [Cd(OH)4(H2O)2]2– + 4CH3NH3+ OWTTE

4(f)(v) Cd(OH)42– = most stable (2nd box) AND [Cd(H2O)6]2+ = least stable (first box) 1

Cd(OH)42– has highest Kstab (and all Kstab values given > 1) 1

Question Answer Marks

5(a) any three points from: 3

• bond angle = 120°

AND shape is hexagonal ring planar / trigonal planar

• (carbons are) sp2 hybridised

• contains delocalised electrons in the  bonds / system

• (sp2 orbitals) overlap end-on-end/ head-on to form  bonds

• a p orbital (from each carbon atom) overlaps sideways

(with each other above and below the ring) forming  bonds

5(b)(i) Cl2 + AlCl3 → Cl+ + AlCl4– 1

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Question Answer Marks

5(b)(ii) 3

+ H+

M1 curly arrow from inside hexagon of aromatic ring to Cl +

CON going to a lone pair on Cl

M2 intermediate

M3 curly arrow from C—H bond to inside the ring AND H+

5(c)(i) electrophilic substitution 1

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Question Answer Marks

5(c)(ii) 1

OR
4-substituted acyl / alkyl derivative

ALLOW
3-substituted acyl / alkyl derivative

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Question Answer Marks

5(c)(iii) (most) acyl chloride > alkyl chloride > aryl chloride (least) 1

any two from: 2

• acyl chlorides: carbon (in C—Cl) is more electron deficient
AND it is also attached to an oxygen atom / two electronegative atoms
OR C—Cl bond is weakest / weakened in acyl chlorides
AND it is also attached to an oxygen atom / two electronegative atoms

• aryl chlorides (no hydrolysis) C—Cl bond is part of delocalised system / partially double bond character so C—Cl
bond is stronger
OR lone pair on Cl delocalises with  ring so C—Cl bond is stronger

• alkyl chlorides carbon atom has a smaller +

AND due to the carbon being only attached to one electronegative atom
OR C—Cl bond strengthened
AND by electron donating effect / positive inductive effect of alkyl / R group

5(d) (CH3)3CNH2 (in ethanol) [substitution] } in either order 1

LiAlH4 OR NaBH4 [reduction ] } in either order 1

[substitution first] OR [reduction first]

5(e)(i) rotate the plane of polarised light in the opposite direction 1

OR stereoisomers / molecules that are non-superimposable mirror images

5(e)(ii) need to separate the optical isomers to form the pure active isomer 1
OR reduced / different biological activity of ‘other’ enantiomer
OR lower yield of biologically active molecule / desired molecule

5(e)(iii) chiral catalyst OR use of an enzyme 1

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Question Answer Marks

5(f)(i) ten / 10 1

5(f)(ii) ( = 0.9–1.7) 3
• 9H
• singlet
• –CH3 / alkane
( = 3.2–4.0) / ( = 2.3–3.0)
• 1H
• triplet
• –CHO / alkyl next to electronegative atom
OR Ar-CH / alkyl next to aromatic ring
( = 6.0–9.0)
• 4H
• multiplet
• H–Ar / attached to aromatic ring

any three [1] any six [2] all nine [3]

Question Answer Marks

6(a)(i) SiO2 OR Al2O3 OR silica OR alumina OWTTE 1

6(a)(ii) Cd2+ AND Rf of M (= 2/5) = 0.40 / same Rf as in the Table 6.1 1

6(b) metal cations are less soluble in butan-1-ol (than in water) 1

OR metal cations weaker ion-dipole forces with butan-1-ol

6(c) H2O AND SCN– 1

6(d)(i) C8H5O4K + KOH → C8H4O4K2 + H2O OR C8H5O4K + OH– → C8H4O4K– + H2O 1

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Question Answer Marks

6(d)(ii) M1 initially: moles of KOH = 0.150  20.0 ÷ 1000 = 3.0  10–3 1

AND moles of acid HA = 0.100  50.0÷1000 = 5.0  10–3

M2 at equilibrium: moles of salt KA = 3.0  10–3 ecf 1

AND moles of acid HA = 5.0  10 – moles of NaOH
–3

= 2.0  10–3 ecf

M3 Ka = 10–5.40 = 3.98  10–6 1

3.98  10–6 = [H+] [3.0  10–3] ÷ [2.0  10–3]
[H+] = 2.65  10–6 ecf

M4 pH = –log(2.65  10–6) = 5.58 / 5.6 ecf on a calculated and identified [H+] 1

ALLOW alternative approach using Henderson-Hasselbalch equation for M3 and M4

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