plumiGeometric isomerism: cis-trans and E–Z: Edexcel International A Level Chemistry questions
Edexcel International A Level Chemistry past-paper questions on 5.1.2 Geometric isomerism: cis-trans and E–Z, 2019–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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All 43 questions on Geometric isomerism: cis-trans and E–Z, as a list
- June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q18 (1 mark): Which molecule has a geometric isomer? A B C D
- June 2025, Unit 5, Q20(a)(iii) (1 mark): Only one isomer of cinnamic acid is produced in Step X. Draw the other geometric isomer of cinnamic acid. (1)
- January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q20 (1 mark): Which structure is a Z‑isomer? A Cl H HO B Cl Br C Cl Cl Cl D
- January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q21(a)(i) (2 marks): Draw the displayed formulae of chloroethene and one geometric isomer of 1‑chloropropene. (2) chloroethene 1‑chloropropene
- January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q21(a)(iii) (3 marks): Explain why 1‑chloropropene exists as two geometric isomers, but chloroethene does not. (3)
- October 2024, AS Unit 1, Q16 (1 mark): The molecule shown has two double bonds. 1 2 Which is the correct identification for each double bond? Double bond 1 Double bond 2 A E E B E Z C Z E D Z Z
- October 2024, Unit 5, Q19(e)(i) (3 marks): Compare and contrast the stereoisomerism of these two molecules. On the structures, circle any features of the molecules that give rise to stereoisomerism. (3)
- June 2024, AS Unit 1, Q19(c)(ii) (1 mark): Name this compound by applying IUPAC rules. (1)
- June 2024, AS Unit 1, Q19(d) (2 marks): Explain the meaning of “trans” in “trans” fats, using a skeletal formula showing four carbon atoms in your answer. (2)
- June 2024, Unit 4, Q17(a)(ii) (2 marks): The third structural isomer has two stereoisomers. Draw these stereoisomers. (2) Stereoisomer 1 Stereoisomer 2
- June 2024 (R), AS Unit 3, Q3(e)(ii) (1 mark): State the IUPAC name for maleic acid. (1)
- January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q18(a) (4 marks): Deduce a possible structure and name for each compound. (4) Possible structure of A Possible structure of B Name Name Possible structure of C Possible structure
- January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q18(c) (2 marks): Give two reasons why compounds A and B exist as geometric isomers. (2)
- January 2024, Unit 4, Q11(a) (1 mark): Carvone shows (1) A geometric and optical isomerism B geometric isomerism only C optical isomerism only D neither geometric nor optical isomerism
- October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q20(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why X can exist as geometric isomers. (2)
- October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q20(b)(i) (1 mark): Give the IUPAC name for Y. (1)
- October 2023, AS Unit 2, Q21(a)(v) (1 mark): X does not show geometric isomerism. Draw a possible displayed formula of X. (1)
- June 2023, Unit 4, Q14(b) (1 mark): What is the IUPAC name for maleic acid? (1) OH HO O C C O C C H H maleic acid A (E)-but-2-enedioic acid B (Z)-but-2-enedioic acid C (E)-1,2-ethenedioic acid D (
- January 2023, AS Unit 1, Q20 (1 mark): Which molecule can exist as E‑Z isomers? A 2‑chloro‑4‑ethylhex‑3‑ene B 3‑chloro‑2‑methylhex‑2‑ene C 2,3‑dimethylhex‑2‑ene D 2,5‑dichlorohex‑3‑ene
- January 2023, AS Unit 2, Q14 (1 mark): CH3CH2CHBrCH2CH2CH3 is heated with ethanolic potassium hydroxide. How many alkene products are possible? A one B two C three D four
- October 2022, AS Unit 1, Q5 (1 mark): Which structure has the name E‑2‑bromo‑3‑chloropent‑2‑ene? Br A Cl Br Cl B Cl C Br Br D Cl Use this space for any rough working. Anything you write in this spac
- October 2022, AS Unit 1, Q15(b) (4 marks): Another way to produce iso‑octane is by reacting iso‑butane with 2‑methylpropene. + iso‑butane 2‑methylpropene iso‑octane Draw the skeletal formulae of four iso
- June 2022, AS Unit 1, Q18 (1 mark): What is the IUPAC name for the compound with the structure shown? H3C CH3 C C H Cl A cis-2-chlorobut-2-ene B trans-2-chlorobut-2-ene C E-2-chlorobut-2-ene D Z-2
- January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q21(c)(ii) (1 mark): On the skeletal formula, draw a circle around the part of the molecule that gives rise to the geometric isomerism of alpha-ocimene. (1)
- January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q21(c)(iii) (1 mark): Draw the skeletal formula of the other geometric isomer of alpha-ocimene. (1)
- October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q11(a) (1 mark): What is the skeletal formula of E-2-chlorobut-2-ene? (1) Cl A B Cl C Cl D Cl
- October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q15(b)(ii) (2 marks): One of the products of this cracking reaction is but-1-ene. Give the skeletal formulae for the other three alkene isomers of C4H8 (2)
- October 2021, AS Unit 2, Q20(d) (3 marks): In another experiment, 2-bromobutane is heated with ethanolic potassium hydroxide and an elimination reaction occurs. Draw the skeletal formulae of the three po
- October 2021, Unit 4, Q10 (1 mark): Citronellol is found in rose and geranium oils. OH citronellol The type(s) of stereoisomerism shown by citronellol is A optical and geometric isomerism B optica
- June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q23(b)(ii) (2 marks): Give the structures and names of the two geometric isomers with the molecular formula C4H8 . (2) Structure of geometric isomer 1 Structure of geometric isomer 2
- January 2021, AS Unit 1, Q21(e)(i) (2 marks): Explain why beta-farnesene exhibits geometric isomerism and has only two geometric isomers. You may label the structure and use this in your answer. (2)
- January 2021, AS Unit 1, Q21(e)(ii) (2 marks): Draw the skeletal formula of the geometric isomer of E-beta-farnesene, giving a reason why this is named the Z-isomer. (2)
- January 2021, AS Unit 1, Q21(f)(ii) (1 mark): State the number of geometric isomers of alpha-farnesene. (1)
- October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q20(b)(i) (1 mark): State why isoprene does not have geometric isomers. (1)
- October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q20(b)(ii) (1 mark): A related molecule does show geometric isomerism. Cl Draw the geometric isomer of this molecule. (1)
- October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q20(b)(iii) (1 mark): Give a reason why a double bond may result in geometric isomerism. (1)
- October 2020, AS Unit 2, Q12(a) (1 mark): What is the name of compound L? OH L (1) A Z‑oct‑3‑en‑3‑ol B E‑oct‑3‑en‑3‑ol C Z‑oct‑5‑en‑3‑ol D E‑oct‑5‑en‑3‑ol
- October 2020, Unit 5, Q22(c)(iii) (1 mark): Give a reason why azo violet exists as geometric isomers. (1)
- January 2020, AS Unit 1, Q17 (1 mark): The polymers shown are all made from single monomers. Which polymer is made from a monomer that has geometric isomers? H CH3 H CH3 A C C C C H H H H H CH3 CH3 H
- January 2020, AS Unit 2, Q17(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain whether or not these two alkenes show geometric isomerism. (2)
- June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q19 (1 mark): But-2-ene shows geometric isomerism. H H C C H3C CH3 What are the prefixes that could be used in naming this isomer? cis / trans E / Z A cis E B cis Z C trans E
- January 2019, AS Unit 1, Q15 (1 mark): What is the systematic name of compound X? Cl Compound X A E-2-chlorobut-2-ene B Z-2-chlorobut-2-ene C E-3-chlorobut-2-ene D Z-3-chlorobut-2-ene Use this space
- January 2019, AS Unit 1, Q23(b) (1 mark): Give a reason why 2-methylpropene does not show geometric isomerism. (1)
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