International Chemistry Olympiad

IChO 1972

Moscow, Soviet Union · 6 theory problems with complete solutions

  1. Problem 1: Mixture of two solid elements

    A mixture of two solid elements with a mass of 1.52 g was treated with an excess of hydrochloric acid. A volume of 0.896 dm³ of a gas was liberated in this process and 0.56 g of a residue remained which was undissolved in the excess of the acid.

    In another experiment, 1.52 g of the same mixture were allowed to react with an excess of a 10 % sodium hydroxide solution. In this case 0.896 dm³ of a gas were also evolved but 0.96 g of an undissolved residue remained.

    In the third experiment, 1.52 g of the initial mixture were heated to a high temperature without access of the air. In this way a compound was formed which was totally soluble in hydrochloric acid and 0.448 dm³ of an unknown gas were released. All the gas obtained was introduced into a one litre closed vessel filled with oxygen. After the reaction of the unknown gas with oxygen the pressure in the vessel decreased by approximately ten times (\(T = const\)).

    Problem:

    1.1 Write chemical equations for the above reactions and prove their correctness by calculations.

    In solving the problem consider that the volumes of gases were measured at STP and round up the relative atomic masses to whole numbers.

    Official English text of the problem.

  2. Problem 2: Mixture of iron and iron oxides

    A mixture of metallic iron with freshly prepared iron (II) and iron (III) oxides was heated in a closed vessel in the atmosphere of hydrogen. An amount of 4.72 g of the mixture when reacted, yields 3.92 g of iron and 0.90 g of water.

    When the same amount of the mixture was allowed to react with an excess of a copper(II) sulphate solution, 4.96 g of a solid mixture were obtained.

    Problems:

    2.1 Calculate the amount of 7.3 % hydrochloric acid (\(\rho = 1.03\ \mathrm{g\,cm^{-3}}\)) which is needed for a total dissolution of 4.72 g of the starting mixture.

    2.2 What volume of a gas at STP is released?

    Relative atomic masses:

    \(A_r(\ce{O}) = 16;\quad A_r(\ce{S}) = 32;\quad A_r(\ce{Cl}) = 35.5;\quad A_r(\ce{Fe}) = 56;\quad A_r(\ce{Cu}) = 64\)

    Official English text of the problem.

  3. Problem 3: Electrolysis of sodium chloride solution with copper electrodes

    A volume of \(200\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) of a 2-normal sodium chloride solution (\(\rho = 1.10\ \mathrm{g\,cm^{-3}}\)) was electrolysed at permanent stirring in an electrolytic cell with copper electrodes. Electrolysis was stopped when \(22.4\ \mathrm{dm^3}\) (at STP) of a gas were liberated at the cathode.

    Problem:

    3.1 Calculate the mass percentage of \(\ce{NaCl}\) in the solution after electrolysis.

    Relative atomic masses:

    \(A_{\mathrm r}(\ce{H}) = 1;\quad A_{\mathrm r}(\ce{O}) = 16;\quad A_{\mathrm r}(\ce{Na}) = 23;\quad A_{\mathrm r}(\ce{Cl}) = 35.5;\quad A_{\mathrm r}(\ce{Cu}) = 64.\)

    Official English text of the problem.

  4. Problem 4: Neutralisation heat and final temperature of mixed solutions

    Amount of 50 g of a 4 % sodium hydroxide solution and 50 g of a 1.825 % solution of hydrochloric acid were mixed in a heat insulated vessel at a temperature of 20 °C. The temperature of the solution obtained in this way increased to 23.4 °C. Then 70 g of a 3.5 % solution of sulphuric acid at a temperature of 20 °C were added to the above solution.

    Problems:

    4.1 Calculate the final temperature of the resulting solution.

    4.2 Determine the amount of a dry residue that remains after evaporation of the solution.

    In calculating the first problem use the heat capacity value \(c = 4.19\ \mathrm{J\,g^{-1}\,K^{-1}}\).

    Relative atomic masses:

    \(A_{\mathrm r}(\ce{H}) = 1;\quad A_{\mathrm r}(\ce{O}) = 16;\quad A_{\mathrm r}(\ce{Na}) = 23;\quad A_{\mathrm r}(\ce{S}) = 32;\quad A_{\mathrm r}(\ce{Cl}) = 35.5.\)

    Official English text of the problem.

  5. Problem 5: Hydrocarbon giving a single bromination product

    Only one product was obtained by the reaction of bromine with an unknown hydrocarbon. Its density was 5,207 times as great as that of the air.

    Problem:

    5.1 Determine the structural formula of the unknown hydrocarbon.

    Relative atomic masses: \(A_{\mathrm r}(\ce{H}) = 1;\quad A_{\mathrm r}(\ce{C}) = 12;\quad A_{\mathrm r}(\ce{Br}) = 80.\)

    Official English text of the problem.

  6. Problem 6: Organic compounds A-D from elemental analysis and titration

    Organic compound A is 41.38 % carbon, 3.45 % hydrogen and the rest is oxygen. Compound A when heated with ethanol in the presence of an acid yields a new substance B which contains 55.81 % carbon, 6.97 % hydrogen, and oxygen.

    The initial compound A when allowed to react with hydrobromide yields product C which on boiling in water gives substance D containing 35.82 % carbon, 4.48 % hydrogen, and oxygen. An amount of 2.68 g of substance D required reacting with 20 \(\mathrm{cm^3}\) of a 2 N solution of potassium hydroxide.

    Problems:

    6.1 Determine structural formulas of all the above mentioned substances A, B, C and D.

    Use the finding that compound A splits off water when heated.

    6.2 Write chemical equations for the above reactions.

    Relative atomic masses: \(A_r(\ce{H}) = 1;\quad A_r(\ce{C}) = 12;\quad A_r(\ce{O}) = 16;\quad A_r(\ce{K}) = 39.\)

    Official English text of the problem.