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Amino acids, amides and chirality: OCR A‑Level Chemistry A questions

Every OCR A-Level Chemistry A exam question on 6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,820 questions

  1. Q10

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 mark4.1.3 Alkenes6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 10: How many stereoisomers does the compound CH3CH(Br)CH=CHCH(Cl )CH3 have? A 2 B 4 C 6 D 8 Your answer [1]

  2. Q22(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 22(a)(ii): Compound S has two possible structures. Draw both of these structures. [2] Question 22(b) starts on Page 30

  3. Q22(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 22(b)(ii): α-Amino acids have the NH2 group bonded to the carbon atom adjacent to the carboxylic acid group. Suggest the difference between an α-keto acid and a β-keto aci

  4. Q9

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 9: Which compound is a secondary amide? N A OH O N C H B O O C N H OH NH2 C HO D O Your answer [1]

  5. Q2(c)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    1 mark6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 2(c)(ii): How many chiral carbon atoms are there in one molecule of compound B? [1]

  6. Q21(a)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 21(a): The general formula of an α-amino acid is RCH(NH2)COOH. Most α-amino acids show optical isomerism. Explain the term optical isomerism. [1]

  7. Q21(b)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 21(b)(i): What is the systematic name of valine? [1]

  8. Q21(b)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 21(b)(ii): Draw diagrams to show 3D structures of the optical isomers of valine. [2]

  9. Q21(c)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 21(c)(i): How many optical isomers are possible for compound E? [1]

  10. Q3

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    6 marks6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality6.2.5 Organic synthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 3: 3* A chemist is investigating compound A, shown below, as a potential organic intermediate. O OH CN Compound A Describe the type of stereoisomerism shown by com

  11. Q5

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 5: The structure of a drug is shown below: O OH HO HO F O How many chiral carbon atoms are there in a molecule of the drug? A 5 B 6 C 7 D 8 Your answer [1]

  12. Q16(b)(iv)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 16(b)(iv): Draw 3D structures for the optical isomers of compound C. Optical isomers [2]

  13. Q6(a)

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    1 mark6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 6(a): The structure of vitamin C is shown below. Vitamin C is an optical isomer. O O H H H O O O O H Vitamin C What is the total number of optical isomers with the st

  14. Q2

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    1 mark4.1.3 Alkenes6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 2: Which type(s) of stereoisomerism is/are shown by 2,4-dimethylhex-2-ene? A E / Z isomerism only. B Optical isomerism only. C Both E / Z isomerism and optical iso

  15. Q18(a)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 18(a)(i): Explain the term optical isomerism. [1]

  16. Q18(a)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 18(a)(ii): Draw 3-D diagrams to show the optical isomers of alanine. [2]

  17. Q18(a)(iii)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 18(a)(iii): How many optical isomers does threonine have? [1]

  18. Q18(d)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 18(d)(i): Suggest the structure of each ion in this lysine salt of ibuprofen, including the position of any charges. – ion + ion [2]

  19. Q16(b)(i)

    November 2020 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 2, question 16(b)(i): Explain the term stereoisomers and name this type of stereoisomerism. Explanation: Type of stereoisomerism: [1]

  20. Q16(b)(ii)

    November 2020 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 2, question 16(b)(ii): Draw 3D diagrams for the stereoisomers of (CH3)3CCHBrCH3. [2]
All 31 questions on Amino acids, amides and chirality, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q10 (1 mark): How many stereoisomers does the compound CH3CH(Br)CH=CHCH(Cl )CH3 have? A 2 B 4 C 6 D 8 Your answer [1]
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q22(a)(ii) (2 marks): Compound S has two possible structures. Draw both of these structures. [2] Question 22(b) starts on Page 30
  3. June 2025, Paper 2, Q22(b)(ii) (1 mark): α-Amino acids have the NH2 group bonded to the carbon atom adjacent to the carboxylic acid group. Suggest the difference between an α-keto acid and a β-keto aci
  4. June 2024, Paper 2, Q9 (1 mark): Which compound is a secondary amide? N A OH O N C H B O O C N H OH NH2 C HO D O Your answer [1]
  5. June 2024, Paper 3, Q2(c)(ii) (1 mark): How many chiral carbon atoms are there in one molecule of compound B? [1]
  6. June 2023, Paper 2, Q21(a) (1 mark): The general formula of an α-amino acid is RCH(NH2)COOH. Most α-amino acids show optical isomerism. Explain the term optical isomerism. [1]
  7. June 2023, Paper 2, Q21(b)(i) (1 mark): What is the systematic name of valine? [1]
  8. June 2023, Paper 2, Q21(b)(ii) (2 marks): Draw diagrams to show 3D structures of the optical isomers of valine. [2]
  9. June 2023, Paper 2, Q21(c)(i) (1 mark): How many optical isomers are possible for compound E? [1]
  10. June 2023, Paper 3, Q3 (6 marks): 3* A chemist is investigating compound A, shown below, as a potential organic intermediate. O OH CN Compound A Describe the type of stereoisomerism shown by com
  11. June 2022, Paper 2, Q5 (1 mark): The structure of a drug is shown below: O OH HO HO F O How many chiral carbon atoms are there in a molecule of the drug? A 5 B 6 C 7 D 8 Your answer [1]
  12. June 2022, Paper 2, Q16(b)(iv) (2 marks): Draw 3D structures for the optical isomers of compound C. Optical isomers [2]
  13. June 2022, Paper 3, Q6(a) (1 mark): The structure of vitamin C is shown below. Vitamin C is an optical isomer. O O H H H O O O O H Vitamin C What is the total number of optical isomers with the st
  14. November 2021, Paper 2, Q2 (1 mark): Which type(s) of stereoisomerism is/are shown by 2,4-dimethylhex-2-ene? A E / Z isomerism only. B Optical isomerism only. C Both E / Z isomerism and optical iso
  15. November 2021, Paper 2, Q18(a)(i) (1 mark): Explain the term optical isomerism. [1]
  16. November 2021, Paper 2, Q18(a)(ii) (2 marks): Draw 3-D diagrams to show the optical isomers of alanine. [2]
  17. November 2021, Paper 2, Q18(a)(iii) (1 mark): How many optical isomers does threonine have? [1]
  18. November 2021, Paper 2, Q18(d)(i) (2 marks): Suggest the structure of each ion in this lysine salt of ibuprofen, including the position of any charges. – ion + ion [2]
  19. November 2020, Paper 2, Q16(b)(i) (1 mark): Explain the term stereoisomers and name this type of stereoisomerism. Explanation: Type of stereoisomerism: [1]
  20. November 2020, Paper 2, Q16(b)(ii) (2 marks): Draw 3D diagrams for the stereoisomers of (CH3)3CCHBrCH3. [2]
  21. November 2020, Paper 3, Q1(c) (2 marks): The amino acid Z−H2NCH=CHCOOH can react to form a cyclic compound with the molecular formula C3H3NO and one other product. Complete the equation for this reacti
  22. June 2019, Paper 2, Q7 (1 mark): What is the number of chiral carbon atoms in the steroid molecule below? OH O A 5 B 6 C 7 D 8 Your answer [1]
  23. June 2019, Paper 2, Q16(b)(v) (4 marks): The structures of geraniol and citronellal are repeated below with the carbon atoms numbered. 1 1 7 7 5 4 3 5 3 2 4 8 OH 8 2 6 O 6 Geraniol Citronellal Explain
  24. June 2019, Paper 2, Q17(a)(i) (4 marks): In the boxes, draw the organic products for the reactions of serine shown below. (CH3)2CHOH / H2SO4 H+(aq) H O excess CH3COCl C C H2N OH CH2 OH serine [4]
  25. June 2019, Paper 3, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): α-Terpineol is a chiral compound. Show with an asterisk, (*), the chiral centre(s) in the structure of α-terpineol. OH α-terpineol [1]
  26. June 2018, Paper 2, Q2 (1 mark): Which compound is a secondary amide? O CH3 A HO C CH2 N H O CH3 B HO C CH2 N CH3 O CH3 C H3C C N H O CH3 D H3C C N CH3 Your answer [1]
  27. June 2018, Paper 2, Q11 (1 mark): How many straight-chain structural isomers of C7H15Cl contain a chiral carbon atom? A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4 Your answer [1]
  28. June 2018, Paper 2, Q17(a) (2 marks): The α-amino acid cysteine (R = CH2SH) shows optical isomerism. Draw 3-D diagrams to show the optical isomers of cysteine. [2]
  29. June 2018, Paper 2, Q17(b) (2 marks): The α-amino acid lysine (R = (CH2)4NH2) reacts with an excess of dilute hydrochloric acid to form a salt. Draw the structure of the salt formed in this reaction
  30. June 2017, Paper 2, Q8 (1 mark): What is the number of chiral centres in the molecule below? NH2 H N S O N HO O OH O A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 Your answer [1]
  31. June 2017, Paper 3, Q4(a)(ii) (6 marks): The structure of compound A is shown below. O HO OH R compound A Compound A has four optical isomers. Using this information and the student’s results, answer t

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