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Infrared (IR) spectroscopy: Edexcel A‑Level Chemistry questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Chemistry exam question on 7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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2,028 questions

  1. Q5(b)(i)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 5(b)(i): Explain why identification of the carboxylic acid from the information provided by this infrared spectrum alone would be very difficult. (2)

  2. Q5(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 5(b)(ii): Identify the bond responsible for the absorption in the range 1725–1700 cm–1 in this infrared spectrum. (1)

  3. Q5(b)(iii)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 5(b)(iii): Give a possible explanation, with reference to the intermolecular forces involved, why the peak in the range 3300–2500 cm–1 is broad. (2)

  4. Q2(d)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 2(d)(i): Which of these sets of wavenumber ranges, in cm–1, will be seen in the infrared spectrum of propan‑2‑ol? (1) A 1485 – 1365, 2962 – 2853 and 3300 – 2500 B 1485 –

  5. Q4(c)(iii)

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 4(c)(iii): The infrared spectrum of ethylamine is shown. 100 Transmittance 50 / % S R Q P 0 4000 3000 2000 1500 1000 500 Wavenumber / cm–1 Which absorption peak confirms t

  6. Q7(b)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 mark7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 7(b): A compound produced a peak due to an N–H stretching vibration in its infrared spectrum with a wavenumber of 3220 cm–1. This compound could be (1) A an amide B a

  7. Q6(f)(i)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 2, question 6(f)(i): State how infrared spectroscopy could be used to show that no 2‑methylpropan‑2‑ol was present in the distillate. (1)

  8. Q6(f)(ii)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 2, question 6(f)(ii): Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using a chemical test rather than infrared spectroscopy to determine whether any of the 2‑methylpropan‑2‑ol remained.

  9. Q2(c)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    3 marks7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 2(c): Another student suggests that the compound could contain an aldehyde and an alcohol functional group, with structure C. HOCH2CH2CH2CHO C Complete the table to s

  10. Q8(b)(ii)

    November 2021 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 AS Paper 2, question 8(b)(ii): The infrared (IR) spectra of cyclohexanol and compound B are shown. IR Spectrum of cyclohexanol 100 Transmittance / % 50 0 4000 3000 2000 1500 1000 100 Wavenumb

  11. Q8(a)(ii)

    October 2020 · Paper 2

    2 marks7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 2, question 8(a)(ii): The infrared spectrum of X contains major absorption wavenumber ranges at 3300–2500 cm−1, 1725–1700 cm−1 and 1669–1645 cm−1. Identify the two functional groups

  12. Q6(c)(i)

    October 2020 · Paper 3

    5 marks7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 3, question 6(c)(i): Compare and contrast the infrared spectra of phenol, phenylmethanol and benzoic acid. Include relevant bonds and their wavenumber ranges using the Data Booklet.

  13. Q7(b)

    June 2019 · AS Paper 2

    6 marks7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy6A Introduction to organic chemistry
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 AS Paper 2, question 7(b): Three different compounds, A, B and C, have the molecular formula C4H8O. Information about these three compounds includes: Ɣ all three compounds have infrared a

  14. Q6(a)(i)

    June 2018 · Paper 3

    2 marks7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 3, question 6(a)(i): State two wavenumber ranges of the infrared absorptions providing evidence that compound X is a carboxylic acid. Include the bonds responsible. (2)

  15. Q6(a)(ii)

    June 2018 · Paper 3

    3 marks7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 3, question 6(a)(ii): One of the students suggests that this infrared spectrum and the data in the Data Booklet alone could be used to identify which of the three proposed structures

  16. Q2(d)(i)

    June 2017 · Paper 3

    2 marks7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 3, question 2(d)(i): By reference to any relevant peak(s), deduce how the infrared spectrum shows that the mixture contains 3-methylbutan-2-one. (2)

  17. Q2(d)(ii)

    June 2017 · Paper 3

    2 marks7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 3, question 2(d)(ii): From the infrared spectrum, the student concludes that the mixture contains another organic compound. The mixture is redistilled and the fraction that boils in

  18. Q4(c)

    June 2017 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks7B Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 AS Paper 2, question 4(c): The infrared spectrum of geraniol is shown. 100 50 0 1000 500 4000 3000 2000 1500 Wavenumber / cm–1 Using the table of absorptions from the Data Booklet and the
All 18 questions on Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, as a list
  1. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why identification of the carboxylic acid from the information provided by this infrared spectrum alone would be very difficult. (2)
  2. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): Identify the bond responsible for the absorption in the range 1725–1700 cm–1 in this infrared spectrum. (1)
  3. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q5(b)(iii) (2 marks): Give a possible explanation, with reference to the intermolecular forces involved, why the peak in the range 3300–2500 cm–1 is broad. (2)
  4. June 2023, Paper 2, Q2(d)(i) (1 mark): Which of these sets of wavenumber ranges, in cm–1, will be seen in the infrared spectrum of propan‑2‑ol? (1) A 1485 – 1365, 2962 – 2853 and 3300 – 2500 B 1485 –
  5. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q4(c)(iii) (1 mark): The infrared spectrum of ethylamine is shown. 100 Transmittance 50 / % S R Q P 0 4000 3000 2000 1500 1000 500 Wavenumber / cm–1 Which absorption peak confirms t
  6. June 2022, Paper 2, Q7(b) (1 mark): A compound produced a peak due to an N–H stretching vibration in its infrared spectrum with a wavenumber of 3220 cm–1. This compound could be (1) A an amide B a
  7. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q6(f)(i) (1 mark): State how infrared spectroscopy could be used to show that no 2‑methylpropan‑2‑ol was present in the distillate. (1)
  8. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q6(f)(ii) (2 marks): Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using a chemical test rather than infrared spectroscopy to determine whether any of the 2‑methylpropan‑2‑ol remained.
  9. November 2021, Paper 3, Q2(c) (3 marks): Another student suggests that the compound could contain an aldehyde and an alcohol functional group, with structure C. HOCH2CH2CH2CHO C Complete the table to s
  10. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q8(b)(ii) (2 marks): The infrared (IR) spectra of cyclohexanol and compound B are shown. IR Spectrum of cyclohexanol 100 Transmittance / % 50 0 4000 3000 2000 1500 1000 100 Wavenumb
  11. October 2020, Paper 2, Q8(a)(ii) (2 marks): The infrared spectrum of X contains major absorption wavenumber ranges at 3300–2500 cm−1, 1725–1700 cm−1 and 1669–1645 cm−1. Identify the two functional groups
  12. October 2020, Paper 3, Q6(c)(i) (5 marks): Compare and contrast the infrared spectra of phenol, phenylmethanol and benzoic acid. Include relevant bonds and their wavenumber ranges using the Data Booklet.
  13. June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q7(b) (6 marks): Three different compounds, A, B and C, have the molecular formula C4H8O. Information about these three compounds includes: Ɣ all three compounds have infrared a
  14. June 2018, Paper 3, Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): State two wavenumber ranges of the infrared absorptions providing evidence that compound X is a carboxylic acid. Include the bonds responsible. (2)
  15. June 2018, Paper 3, Q6(a)(ii) (3 marks): One of the students suggests that this infrared spectrum and the data in the Data Booklet alone could be used to identify which of the three proposed structures
  16. June 2017, Paper 3, Q2(d)(i) (2 marks): By reference to any relevant peak(s), deduce how the infrared spectrum shows that the mixture contains 3-methylbutan-2-one. (2)
  17. June 2017, Paper 3, Q2(d)(ii) (2 marks): From the infrared spectrum, the student concludes that the mixture contains another organic compound. The mixture is redistilled and the fraction that boils in
  18. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q4(c) (2 marks): The infrared spectrum of geraniol is shown. 100 50 0 1000 500 4000 3000 2000 1500 Wavenumber / cm–1 Using the table of absorptions from the Data Booklet and the

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