plumiE/Z and cis–trans isomerism: OCR A‑Level Chemistry A questions
OCR A-Level Chemistry A past-paper questions on 4.1.3.2 E/Z and cis–trans isomerism, 2016–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
Paper
All papers
Exam
All years
Calculations
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerQ16(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ16(c)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerQ3(c)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ16(e)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ5(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ16(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ16(b)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerLoading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerQ16(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ16(c)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ3(b)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerLoading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerLoading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerLoading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerQ16(b)(iv)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ16(b)(v)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDF
All 31 questions on E/Z and cis–trans isomerism, as a list
- 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]
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q16(c)(i) (2 marks): Draw the structures of the E and Z stereoisomers of compound B. E Z [2]
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q16(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why compound B can form E and Z stereoisomers. [2]
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q15 (1 mark): A compound is shown below. What is the systematic name of this compound? F CH3 C C CH3CH2 H A E-3-fluoropent-2-ene B E-3-fluoropent-3-ene C Z-3-fluoropent-2-ene
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q3(c) (2 marks): The structure of malic acid is shown below. OH H HOOC C C COOH H H When malic acid is heated with an acid catalyst, a mixture of cis and trans stereoisomers is
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q16(e) (2 marks): Explain why hydrocarbon D is a Z-stereoisomer. [2]
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q5(a)(iii) (2 marks): The skeletal formulae of alkenes B and C are shown below. Alkene B Alkene C Skeletal formula Isomer Z E Use the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog priority rules to explain why
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q16(b)(ii) (1 mark): What is meant by the term stereoisomers? [1]
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q16(b)(iii) (2 marks): Draw structures for the cis and trans isomers of the branched hydrocarbon B. cis isomer trans isomer [2]
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): Which alkene is an E stereoisomer? CH3CH2 CH3 C C A H H H3C CH2CH3 C C B H CH3 H CH3 C C C CH3CH2 C(CH3)3 H3C CH3 C C D H CH(CH3)2 Your answer [1]
- 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
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q16(c)(i) (1 mark): Explain the term stereoisomerism. [1]
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q16(c)(ii) (1 mark): Explain, with a reason, whether the student is correct or incorrect. [1]
- November 2021, Paper 3, Q3(b) (7 marks): The student prepares a 100.0 cm3 solution containing 3.215 g of acid D. The student titrates 25.0 cm3 samples of the solution of D with 0.150 mol dm–3 Ba(OH)2(a
- November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): What is the number of unsaturated isomers (structural and stereoisomers) that have the molecular formula C4H8? A 3 B 4 C 5 D 6 Your answer [1]
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q1 (1 mark): What is the name of the compound below? H3C CH2CH3 C C H Br A E-3-bromopent-2-ene B E-3-bromopent-3-ene C Z-3-bromopent-2-ene D Z-3-bromopent-3-ene Your answer
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q6 (1 mark): Which alcohol reacts with an acid catalyst to form a mixture of stereoisomers? A 3-methylbutan-2-ol B pentan-1-ol C 2-methylhexan-2-ol D heptan-4-ol Your answer
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q4 (1 mark): The structure of a stereoisomer is shown below. H3C CH(CH3)2 C C CH3CH2 CH2CH2CH3 Which term correctly describes this stereoisomer? A cis- B trans- C E- D Z- Yo
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q16(b)(iv) (1 mark): Explain the term stereoisomerism. [1]
- 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
- June 2019, Paper 3, Q4(b)(ii) (4 marks): α-Terpineol meets the requirements for E / Z isomerism. However, only one E / Z isomer of α-terpineol exists. Explain • why α-terpineol meets the requirements f
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q20(a) (2 marks): Methylcinnamaldehyde is an E stereoisomer. Explain this statement in terms of the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog (CIP) rules. [2]
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): The molecule below has two double bonds, labelled 1 and 2. 1 2 The arrangement around each double bond can be identified as E or Z. Which row in the table is co
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q4 (1 mark): Which molecule is a Z-isomer? H3C H Cl F F CH3 H CH3 C C C C C C C C H F H CH3 Cl H H F A B C D Your answer [1]
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q16(b)(ii) (1 mark): Define the term stereoisomers. [1]
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q16(b)(iii) (2 marks): Draw the structures of the cis and trans stereoisomers of compound C. cis trans [2]
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q14 (1 mark): What is the systematic name of the compound below? Br A E-2-bromobut-2-ene B Z-2-bromobut-2-ene C E-1,2-dimethyl-1-bromoethene D Z-1,2-dimethyl-1-bromoethene Yo
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q18 (1 mark): Which alcohol reacts with an acid catalyst to form E and Z stereoisomers? A pentan-3-ol B pentan-1-ol C 2-methylbutan-2-ol D 2,2-dimethylpropan-1-ol Your answer
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q15 (1 mark): Which compound has non-polar molecules? A E-1,2-dichlorobut-2-ene B E-2,3-dichlorobut-2-ene C Z-2,3-dichlorobut-2-ene D Z-1,4-dichlorobut-2-ene Your answer [1]
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Explain why compound A does not have E/Z isomers. [1]
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q3(a)(iii) (2 marks): A structural isomer of compound A has E/Z isomers. Draw the structure of the Z isomer and then name this isomer. structure of Z isomer name [2]
Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © OCR, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? OCR A-Level Chemistry A past papers, or our free OCR-style practice pack.
The Plumi iPad app also offers exam-style questions with AI feedback on your handwritten working.