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Optical isomerism: AQA A‑Level Chemistry questions

Every AQA A-Level Chemistry exam question on 3.3.7 Optical isomerism, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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2,301 questions

  1. Q06.2

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    1 mark3.3.7 Optical isomerism
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 06.2: Isomer V has an asymmetric carbon atom. Deduce the structure of V. [1 mark]

  2. Q08.4

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    3 marks3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones3.3.7 Optical isomerism
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 08.4: Explain why Step 4 produces a racemic mixture. [3 marks]

  3. Q03.6

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    2 marks3.3.7 Optical isomerism
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 03.6: Draw 3D representations of enantiomers D and E to show how their structures are related. [2 marks]

  4. Q06.1

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    1 mark3.3.7 Optical isomerism
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 06.1: Draw the skeletal formula of a branched chain aldehyde with molecular formula C5H10O that is optically active. [1 mark]

  5. Q06.2

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.3.7 Optical isomerism
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 06.2: Describe how you distinguish between separate samples of the two enantiomers of the branched chain aldehyde C5H10O [2 marks]

  6. Q06.3

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.3.7 Optical isomerism3.3.1 Introduction to organic chemistry
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 06.3: Draw the E and Z forms of a structural isomer of C5H10O that shows both optical and geometric isomerism. [2 marks] E isomer Z isomer

  7. Q02.1

    November 2020 · Paper 2

    1 mark3.3.7 Optical isomerism
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 2, question 02.1: Draw a circle around any chiral centre(s) in Figure 3. [1 mark]

  8. Q02.4

    November 2020 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.3.7 Optical isomerism3.3.13 Amino acids, proteins and DNA
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 2, question 02.4: Figure 4 shows optical isomers F and G. Figure 4 Isomer F is the active compound in the medicine ibuprofen. In the manufacture of ibuprofen both isomers F and G

  9. Q26

    November 2020 · Paper 3

    1 mark3.3.7 Optical isomerism
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 3, question 26: Which does not contain an asymmetric carbon atom? [1 mark] A CH3CH(CH3)CH2CH3 B CH3CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH2CH3 C CH3CH(OH)CH2OH D CH3CH2CHClCH3

  10. Q01.5

    June 2019 · Paper 2

    1 mark3.3.7 Optical isomerism
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 2, question 01.5: Justify the statement that there are no chiral centres in 3-aminopentane. [1 mark]

  11. Q04.2

    June 2019 · Paper 3

    5 marks3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones3.3.7 Optical isomerism
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 3, question 04.2: The 2-hydroxypropanenitrile formed by the reaction in question 04.1 is a mixture of equal amounts of two isomers. State the name of this type of mixture. Explai

  12. Q04.2

    June 2017 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.3.7 Optical isomerism
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 2, question 04.2: Describe how you would distinguish between separate samples of the two stereoisomers of CH3CH2CH2CH2CH(OH)CN [2 marks

  13. Q04.3

    June 2017 · Paper 2

    3 marks3.3.7 Optical isomerism3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 2, question 04.3: Explain why the reaction produces a racemic mixture. [3 marks

  14. Q04.4

    June 2017 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.3.7 Optical isomerism3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 2, question 04.4: An isomer of CH3CH2CH2CH2CHO reacts with KCN followed by dilute acid to form a compound that does not show stereoisomerism. Draw the structure of the compound f

  15. Q13

    June 2017 · Paper 3

    1 mark3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones3.3.7 Optical isomerism
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 3, question 13: Which pair of compounds does not form a racemic mixture when the compounds react? [1 mark] A B C D

  16. Q03.5

    Specimen · Paper 2

    2 marks3.3.2 Alkanes3.3.7 Optical isomerism
    The whole paper ↗
    Specimen Paper 2, question 03.5: Number of monochloro isomers Structure

  17. Q11.2

    Specimen · Paper 2

    6 marks3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones3.3.7 Optical isomerism
    The whole paper ↗
    Specimen Paper 2, question 11.2: 9

  18. Q12.3

    Specimen · Paper 2

    3 marks3.3.4 Alkenes3.3.7 Optical isomerism
    The whole paper ↗
    Specimen Paper 2, question 12.3: 12 But-1-ene reacts with a reagent of the form HY to form a saturated compound. Explain how three isomeric products are formed when HY reacts with but-1-ene. [3

  19. Q30

    Specimen · Paper 3

    3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones3.3.7 Optical isomerism
    Mark scheme (PDF)
    The whole paper ↗
    Specimen Paper 3, question 30: Which compound forms optically active compounds on reduction? [1 mar A CH3CH2C(CH3)=CHCH3 B CH3CH2C(CH3)=CH2 C CH3COCH3 D CH3CH2COCH3 3 0

  20. Q34

    Specimen · Paper 3

    1 mark3.3.7 Optical isomerism
    Mark scheme (PDF)
    The whole paper ↗
    Specimen Paper 3, question 34: A drug is designed to simulate one of the following molecules that adsorbs onto the active site of an enzyme. Which molecule requires the design of an optically
All 20 questions on Optical isomerism, as a list
  1. June 2024, Paper 2, Q06.2 (1 mark): Isomer V has an asymmetric carbon atom. Deduce the structure of V. [1 mark]
  2. June 2024, Paper 2, Q08.4 (3 marks): Explain why Step 4 produces a racemic mixture. [3 marks]
  3. June 2022, Paper 3, Q03.6 (2 marks): Draw 3D representations of enantiomers D and E to show how their structures are related. [2 marks]
  4. November 2021, Paper 2, Q06.1 (1 mark): Draw the skeletal formula of a branched chain aldehyde with molecular formula C5H10O that is optically active. [1 mark]
  5. November 2021, Paper 2, Q06.2 (2 marks): Describe how you distinguish between separate samples of the two enantiomers of the branched chain aldehyde C5H10O [2 marks]
  6. November 2021, Paper 2, Q06.3 (2 marks): Draw the E and Z forms of a structural isomer of C5H10O that shows both optical and geometric isomerism. [2 marks] E isomer Z isomer
  7. November 2020, Paper 2, Q02.1 (1 mark): Draw a circle around any chiral centre(s) in Figure 3. [1 mark]
  8. November 2020, Paper 2, Q02.4 (2 marks): Figure 4 shows optical isomers F and G. Figure 4 Isomer F is the active compound in the medicine ibuprofen. In the manufacture of ibuprofen both isomers F and G
  9. November 2020, Paper 3, Q26 (1 mark): Which does not contain an asymmetric carbon atom? [1 mark] A CH3CH(CH3)CH2CH3 B CH3CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH2CH3 C CH3CH(OH)CH2OH D CH3CH2CHClCH3
  10. June 2019, Paper 2, Q01.5 (1 mark): Justify the statement that there are no chiral centres in 3-aminopentane. [1 mark]
  11. June 2019, Paper 3, Q04.2 (5 marks): The 2-hydroxypropanenitrile formed by the reaction in question 04.1 is a mixture of equal amounts of two isomers. State the name of this type of mixture. Explai
  12. June 2017, Paper 2, Q04.2 (2 marks): Describe how you would distinguish between separate samples of the two stereoisomers of CH3CH2CH2CH2CH(OH)CN [2 marks
  13. June 2017, Paper 2, Q04.3 (3 marks): Explain why the reaction produces a racemic mixture. [3 marks
  14. June 2017, Paper 2, Q04.4 (2 marks): An isomer of CH3CH2CH2CH2CHO reacts with KCN followed by dilute acid to form a compound that does not show stereoisomerism. Draw the structure of the compound f
  15. June 2017, Paper 3, Q13 (1 mark): Which pair of compounds does not form a racemic mixture when the compounds react? [1 mark] A B C D
  16. Specimen, Paper 2, Q03.5 (2 marks): Number of monochloro isomers Structure
  17. Specimen, Paper 2, Q11.2 (6 marks): 9
  18. Specimen, Paper 2, Q12.3 (3 marks): 12 But-1-ene reacts with a reagent of the form HY to form a saturated compound. Explain how three isomeric products are formed when HY reacts with but-1-ene. [3
  19. Specimen, Paper 3, Q30: Which compound forms optically active compounds on reduction? [1 mar A CH3CH2C(CH3)=CHCH3 B CH3CH2C(CH3)=CH2 C CH3COCH3 D CH3CH2COCH3 3 0
  20. Specimen, Paper 3, Q34 (1 mark): A drug is designed to simulate one of the following molecules that adsorbs onto the active site of an enzyme. Which molecule requires the design of an optically

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