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Organic analysis: AQA A‑Level Chemistry questions

Every AQA A-Level Chemistry exam question on 3.3.6 Organic analysis, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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2,301 questions

  1. Q07.1

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    5 marks3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 07.1: Compound P is a hydrocarbon with only one peak (a singlet) in its 1H NMR spectrum. P has a precise Mr of 84.09396 Carbon has a precise Ar of 12.00000 Hydrogen h

  2. Q04.2

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 04.2: Compound C has the molecular formula C4H6O2 In the infrared spectrum of C, there is • absorption in the range 3230–3550 cm–1 • absorption in the range 1620–1680

  3. Q05.1

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 05.1: The Mr of a compound can be determined by mass spectrometry. Propanone, prop-2-en-1-ol and butane each have Mr = 58.0 Give the reason why high resolution mass s

  4. Q17

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 17: Which of these gases is not linked to global warming caused by the absorption of infrared radiation? [1 mark] A CO2 B C3H8 C H2O D N2

  5. Q01.1

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 01.1: Table 1 shows the results of chemical tests on three organic compounds. Complete the empty boxes in the table. Table 1 Chemical test Add bromine water orange to

  6. Q02.1

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 02.1: Compounds A and B both have the molecular formula C4H8O2 Figure 1 shows the infrared spectra of compounds A and B. Use the infrared spectra to deduce a possible

  7. Q02.2

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 02.2: Figure 2 shows the infrared spectrum of either pent-1-ene or 2-methylbut-2-ene. Figure 2 Outline how to use the infrared spectrum to determine whether the compo

  8. Q02.3

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 02.3: Figure 3 shows the infrared spectrum of methane. Figure 3 Use information from Figure 3 to explain why methane acts as a greenhouse gas. [1 mark]

  9. Q18

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 18: High resolution mass spectrometry can be used to determine the precise relative molecular mass of compounds. Which compound has a precise relative molecular mas

  10. Q05.1

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 05.1: Identify the bond that causes the absorption at 1725 cm–1 [1 mark]

  11. Q06.1

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 06.1: Identify the missing reagent needed in Test 1. [1 mark]

  12. Q06.2

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 06.2: In addition to the missing reagent in Test 1, there is a mistake in the method for two of the other tests. State the two mistakes. Suggest how each of the mista

  13. Q06.3

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    8 marks3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 06.3: The missing reagent is added and the mistakes are corrected. Identify the liquid(s), J, K, L and M, that would react in each test. State the expected observatio

  14. Q33

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    1 mark3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 33: The skeletal formulas of two compounds are shown. Which method would distinguish between samples of these compounds? [1 mark] A comparing fingerprint regions of

  15. Q01.1

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 01.1: and 01.2, give a reagent (or combination of reagents) that could be added separately to each compound in a single reaction to distinguish between them. State wh

  16. Q01.2

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 01.2: Cyclohexane and cyclohexene [3 marks] Reagent(s) Observation with cyclohexane Observation with cyclohexene

  17. Q01.3

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 01.3: Table 1 gives the precise relative molecular masses (Mr) of some organic compounds measured using high resolution mass spectrometry. Table 1 Molecular formula C

  18. Q02.5

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 02.5: Carbon dioxide is a product from the combustion of petrol in cars. Carbon dioxide acts as a greenhouse gas when it absorbs infrared radiation. Give one reason w

  19. Q14

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark3.3.6 Organic analysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 14: The infrared spectrum of an organic compound is shown. Which compound could produce this spectrum? [1 mark] A but-1-ene B but-2-en-1-ol C butanoic acid D butan-

  20. Q06

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    6 marks3.3.15 Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy3.3.6 Organic analysis
    Mark scheme (PDF)
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 06: This question is about compound X with the empirical formula C2H4O Figure 2 shows the infrared spectrum of X. Figure 3 shows the 13C NMR spectrum of X. The 1H N
All 57 questions on Organic analysis, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q07.1 (5 marks): Compound P is a hydrocarbon with only one peak (a singlet) in its 1H NMR spectrum. P has a precise Mr of 84.09396 Carbon has a precise Ar of 12.00000 Hydrogen h
  2. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q04.2 (1 mark): Compound C has the molecular formula C4H6O2 In the infrared spectrum of C, there is • absorption in the range 3230–3550 cm–1 • absorption in the range 1620–1680
  3. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q05.1 (2 marks): The Mr of a compound can be determined by mass spectrometry. Propanone, prop-2-en-1-ol and butane each have Mr = 58.0 Give the reason why high resolution mass s
  4. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q17 (1 mark): Which of these gases is not linked to global warming caused by the absorption of infrared radiation? [1 mark] A CO2 B C3H8 C H2O D N2
  5. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q01.1 (3 marks): Table 1 shows the results of chemical tests on three organic compounds. Complete the empty boxes in the table. Table 1 Chemical test Add bromine water orange to
  6. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q02.1 (2 marks): Compounds A and B both have the molecular formula C4H8O2 Figure 1 shows the infrared spectra of compounds A and B. Use the infrared spectra to deduce a possible
  7. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q02.2 (2 marks): Figure 2 shows the infrared spectrum of either pent-1-ene or 2-methylbut-2-ene. Figure 2 Outline how to use the infrared spectrum to determine whether the compo
  8. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q02.3 (1 mark): Figure 3 shows the infrared spectrum of methane. Figure 3 Use information from Figure 3 to explain why methane acts as a greenhouse gas. [1 mark]
  9. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q18 (1 mark): High resolution mass spectrometry can be used to determine the precise relative molecular mass of compounds. Which compound has a precise relative molecular mas
  10. June 2023, Paper 2, Q05.1 (1 mark): Identify the bond that causes the absorption at 1725 cm–1 [1 mark]
  11. June 2023, Paper 2, Q06.1 (1 mark): Identify the missing reagent needed in Test 1. [1 mark]
  12. June 2023, Paper 2, Q06.2 (2 marks): In addition to the missing reagent in Test 1, there is a mistake in the method for two of the other tests. State the two mistakes. Suggest how each of the mista
  13. June 2023, Paper 2, Q06.3 (8 marks): The missing reagent is added and the mistakes are corrected. Identify the liquid(s), J, K, L and M, that would react in each test. State the expected observatio
  14. June 2023, Paper 3, Q33 (1 mark): The skeletal formulas of two compounds are shown. Which method would distinguish between samples of these compounds? [1 mark] A comparing fingerprint regions of
  15. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q01.1 (3 marks): and 01.2, give a reagent (or combination of reagents) that could be added separately to each compound in a single reaction to distinguish between them. State wh
  16. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q01.2 (3 marks): Cyclohexane and cyclohexene [3 marks] Reagent(s) Observation with cyclohexane Observation with cyclohexene
  17. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q01.3 (3 marks): Table 1 gives the precise relative molecular masses (Mr) of some organic compounds measured using high resolution mass spectrometry. Table 1 Molecular formula C
  18. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q02.5 (1 mark): Carbon dioxide is a product from the combustion of petrol in cars. Carbon dioxide acts as a greenhouse gas when it absorbs infrared radiation. Give one reason w
  19. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q14 (1 mark): The infrared spectrum of an organic compound is shown. Which compound could produce this spectrum? [1 mark] A but-1-ene B but-2-en-1-ol C butanoic acid D butan-
  20. June 2022, Paper 2, Q06 (6 marks): This question is about compound X with the empirical formula C2H4O Figure 2 shows the infrared spectrum of X. Figure 3 shows the 13C NMR spectrum of X. The 1H N
  21. June 2022, Paper 2, Q09.5 (2 marks): A sample of the olive oil was dissolved in methanol and placed in a mass spectrometer. The sample was ionised using electrospray ionisation. Each molecule gaine
  22. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q02 (6 marks): A student has samples of these four compounds but does not know which is which: • butanoic acid • 2-methylpropanal • 2-methylpropanoic acid • 2-methylpropan-1-o
  23. November 2021, Paper 2, Q02.3 (1 mark): Carbon dioxide is formed when petrol is burned. Carbon dioxide acts as a greenhouse gas when it absorbs infrared radiation. Give a reason why carbon dioxide abs
  24. November 2021, Paper 2, Q07.1 (1 mark): Compound K has molecular formula C4H8O Figure 5 shows the infrared spectrum of K. Figure 5 Which functional group does K contain? Tick () one box. [1 mark] Fun
  25. November 2021, Paper 2, Q07.2 (3 marks): Compound L has molecular formula C4H7NO Figure 6 shows the infrared spectrum of L. Figure 6 L reacts with H2 in the presence of a nickel catalyst to give compou
  26. November 2021, Paper 3, Q11 (1 mark): Which statement does not support the suggestion that an unknown organic compound is [1 mark] A Its 1H NMR spectrum has 3 peaks with an integration ratio of 2:3:
  27. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q04.6 (2 marks): CFC-11 is a greenhouse gas that can contribute to global warming. State and explain how CFC-11 is able to contribute to global warming. [2 marks]
  28. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q07.4 (1 mark): Figure 3 shows the infrared spectrum of a functional group isomer of prop-2-en-1-ol. Figure 3 This isomer reacts with acidified potassium dichromate(VI) to form
  29. November 2020, Paper 2, Q03.5 (4 marks): Describe fully how infrared spectra can be used to distinguish between isomers R, S and T. Use data from Table A in the Data Booklet in your answer. [4 marks]
  30. November 2020, Paper 2, Q03.6 (1 mark): State why mass spectrometry using electrospray ionisation is not a suitable method to distinguish between the isomers. [1 mark]
  31. November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q13 (1 mark): Which can be used to distinguish between these two compounds? (CH3)2CHCH2CHO and (CH3)3CCHO [1 mark] A Acidified potassium dichromate(VI) B Fingerprint region o
  32. June 2019, Paper 2, Q06.4 (1 mark): Compounds E, F, and G are isomers. Figure 1 shows the infrared spectra of these isomers, but not necessarily in the same order. Label each spectrum with the cor
  33. June 2019, Paper 2, Q07.2 (6 marks): Explain how and why isomers X and Y can be distinguished by comparing each of their • boiling points • 13C NMR spectra • infrared spectra. Use data from Tables
  34. June 2019, Paper 2, Q10.1 (3 marks): A dicarboxylic acid has a relative molecular mass of 118, to the nearest whole number. Deduce the molecular formula of the acid. [3 marks] Molecular formula
  35. June 2019, Paper 2, Q10.5 (1 mark): The dicarboxylic acid in question 10.1 and the isomers of C6H14O2 in Questions 10.3 and 10.4 all have a relative molecular mass of 118 State why the dicarboxyli
  36. June 2019, Paper 2, Q11.5 (1 mark): Combustion of biodiesel produces greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide that cause global warming. Part of the infrared spectrum of carbon dioxide is shown in
  37. June 2019, Paper 2, Q11.6 (2 marks): Explain how carbon dioxide causes global warming. [2 marks]
  38. June 2019, Paper 3, Q23 (1 mark): Three reagents are added separately to four organic compounds. Which row shows the correct observations? [1 mark] Sodium hydrogen carbonate Acidified potassium
  39. June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q01.1 (3 marks): and 01.2, give a reagent (or combination of reagents) that could be added separately to each compound to distinguish between them. State what is observed in eac
  40. June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q01.2 (3 marks): Compounds A and C [3 marks] Reagent Observation with A Observation with C
  41. June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q23 (1 mark): The infrared spectrum of an organic compound is shown. Which compound produces this spectrum? [1 mark] A ethanoic acid B 4-hydroxybutanone C propan-1-ol D prop-
  42. June 2018, Paper 2, Q02.3 (1 mark): The infrared spectrum of Compound Y shows a significant absorption in the range 1680–1750 cm–1 Draw the displayed formula of Compound Y. [1 mark]
  43. June 2018, Paper 2, Q10.1 (1 mark): The infrared spectra A, B and C are those of a primary amine, a tertiary amine and a nitrile, but not necessarily in that order. Give the letter of each compoun
  44. June 2018, Paper 3, Q03.8 (1 mark): Explain how an infrared spectrum would confirm that the cyclohexene obtained from the chromatography column did not contain any cyclohexanol. [1 mark]
  45. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q06.2 (2 marks): Compound A has a relative molecular mass (Mr) of 134.5 The main isotope of hydrogen is 1H The main isotope of carbon is 12C Chlorine consists of two common isot
  46. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q06.5 (1 mark): The infrared spectrum in Figure 4 is that of either alcohol B or alkene C. Figure 4 Tick the box that shows the correct compound. Explain your answer with refer
  47. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q07.1 (6 marks): Four compounds, all colourless liquids, are • butan-2-ol • butanal • butanone • 2-methylpropan-2-ol Two of these compounds can be identified using different tes
  48. June 2017, Paper 2, Q07.1 (6 marks): You are provided with samples of each of the four compounds. Describe how you could distinguish between all four compounds using the minimum number of tests on
  49. June 2017, Paper 2, Q10.3 (3 marks): Isomer Q (C6H10O2) is a cyclic compound. The infrared spectrum of Q is shown in Figure 4 and the 13C NMR spectrum of Q is shown in Figure 5. Use these spectra a
  50. June 2017, Paper 3, Q12 (1 mark): Which compound gives this infrared spectrum? [1 mark] A 1-bromobutane B butan-1-ol C butanal D butanoic acid 19
  51. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q12 (1 mark): The infrared spectrum of an organic compound is shown. Which compound produces this spectrum? [1 mark] A butanone B ethanol C pent-2-ene D propanoic acid
  52. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q20 (1 mark): Which compound forms a molecular ion with a different precise molecular mass from the other three? [1 mark] A butanone B cyclobutanol C dimethylpropane D methyl
  53. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q04.1 (2 marks): Explain why determining the precise relative molecular mass of propanal and prop-2-en-1-ol by mass spectrometry could not be used to distinguish between samples
  54. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q04.2 (2 marks): The infrared spectrum of one of these three compounds is shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 Use the spectrum to identify the compound. State the bond that you used to
  55. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q05.6 (1 mark): There are growing concerns about the use of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane as a refrigerant as it is a greenhouse gas that absorbs some of Earth’s infrared radiation. Gi
  56. Specimen, Paper 3, Q05.1 (2 marks): 5 A sample of ethanedioic acid was treated with an excess of an unknown alcohol in the presence of a strong acid catalyst. The products of the reaction were sep
  57. Specimen, Paper 3, Q05.2 (4 marks): Section B Answer all questions in this section. Only one answer per question is allowed. For each answer completely fill in the circle alongside the appropriate

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