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Spectroscopy: OCR A‑Level Chemistry A questions

Every OCR A-Level Chemistry A exam question on 6.3.2 Spectroscopy, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,820 questions

  1. Q15

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 15: Which compound(s) has/have three peaks in their 13C NMR spectrum? OH 1 OH OH 2 HO HO OH 3 A 1, 2 and 3 B Only 1 and 2 C Only 2 and 3 D Only 1 Your answer [1]

  2. Q23(a)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    4 marks6.3.2 Spectroscopy4.2.1 Alcohols
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 23(a): Compound K, C4H10O, is refluxed with H2SO4 to form a mixture of compound L and compound M. The infrared spectrum of compound K is shown. 100 50 Transmittance (%

  3. Q23(b)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    6 marks6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 23(b): This question is about spectral analysis. (b)* An unknown organic compound N is analysed and produces the following results. Elemental analysis by mass C, 62.07

  4. Q1(b)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    3 marks6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 1(b): This question looks at proton NMR spectra of dibromoalkanes. Predict the following. Compound Number of peaks CH2 splitting pattern(s) BrCH2CH2Br BrCH2CH2CH2Br [

  5. Q14

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 14: The structures of 3 compounds, 1, 2 and 3, are shown below. Which compound(s) would produce a carbon-13 NMR spectrum with 2 peaks? HO OH 1 2 3 A 1, 2 and 3 B On

  6. Q24

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    6 marks6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 24: 24* Analysis of an unknown organic compound J produces the following results. Elemental analysis by mass of compound J C, 80.60%; H, 7.46%; O, 11.94% Mass spect

  7. Q1

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 1: Which compound is used for proton exchange in NMR spectroscopy? A CCl4 B CDCl3 C D2O D Si(CH3)4 Your answer [1]

  8. Q9

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 9: Which compound has the greatest number of peaks in its proton NMR spectrum? O A O Br B Br O O C OH HO OH O D Your answer [1]

  9. Q17(d)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    5 marks6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 17(d): There are 4 structural isomers of C4H10O that are alcohols. A student predicts that these structural isomers could be distinguished using carbon-13 NMR spectros

  10. Q23

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    6 marks6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 23: 23* An unknown organic compound is analysed. The results are shown below. Addition of 2,4-DNP No visible change Elemental analysis by mass C, 66.63%; H, 11.18%;

  11. Q12

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 12: Which compound produces two triplets in its 1H NMR spectrum? A CH3CH2COOCH2CH3 B CH3CH2COCH2CH3 C HOOCCH2CH2COOH D HOOCCH2CH2CH2COOH Your answer [1]

  12. Q15

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 15: Which isomer(s) of C5H12O has/have 4 peaks in its/their 13C NMR spectrum? 1 3-methylbutan-2-ol 2 2-methylbutan-2-ol 3 2-methylbutan-1-ol A 1, 2 and 3 B Only 1 a

  13. Q16(b)(v)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    4 marks6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 16(b)(v): Compounds D and E are two more structural isomers of C6H12. Compounds D and E do not show stereoisomerism. Table 16.1 shows NMR and infrared (IR) spectral data

  14. Q18(c)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    4 marks6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 18(c): The organic compound H contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen only and has an Mr of 114.0. Compound H has two carbonyl groups and no other functional groups. The

  15. Q20(a)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    3 marks6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 20(a)(ii): A student thought that 13C NMR spectroscopy could be used to distinguish between compounds J, K and L. Explain, with reasoning, whether the student is correct.

  16. Q1(c)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    2 marks6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 1(c)(i): Fill in the table to predict the splitting patterns in the proton NMR spectrum of the organic compound. Proton environment Splitting pattern 1 2 3 4 [2]

  17. Q1(c)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    2 marks6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 1(c)(ii): The table shows the chemical shifts for the peaks in the proton NMR spectrum at proton environments 2 and 3. Proton environment 2 3 Chemical shift, δ 2.5 ppm 3.

  18. Q13

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 13: Which compound(s) has/have four peaks in a 13C NMR spectrum? O 1 2 O 3 A 1, 2 and 3 B Only 1 and 2 C Only 2 and 3 D Only 1 Your answer [1]

  19. Q20(b)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    6 marks6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 20(b)(ii): The pure sample of C is analysed to give the following results. Percentage composition by mass: C, 31.44%; H, 1.31%; N, 18.34%; O, 48.91%. The mass spectrum of

  20. Q8

    November 2020 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.3.2 Spectroscopy
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 2, question 8: Which isomer of C6H12O2 produces the smallest number of peaks in its 13C NMR spectrum? 8 O A OH O B O O C OH O D OH Your answer [1]
All 37 questions on Spectroscopy, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): Which compound(s) has/have three peaks in their 13C NMR spectrum? OH 1 OH OH 2 HO HO OH 3 A 1, 2 and 3 B Only 1 and 2 C Only 2 and 3 D Only 1 Your answer [1]
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q23(a) (4 marks): Compound K, C4H10O, is refluxed with H2SO4 to form a mixture of compound L and compound M. The infrared spectrum of compound K is shown. 100 50 Transmittance (%
  3. June 2025, Paper 2, Q23(b) (6 marks): This question is about spectral analysis. (b)* An unknown organic compound N is analysed and produces the following results. Elemental analysis by mass C, 62.07
  4. June 2025, Paper 3, Q1(b) (3 marks): This question looks at proton NMR spectra of dibromoalkanes. Predict the following. Compound Number of peaks CH2 splitting pattern(s) BrCH2CH2Br BrCH2CH2CH2Br [
  5. June 2024, Paper 2, Q14 (1 mark): The structures of 3 compounds, 1, 2 and 3, are shown below. Which compound(s) would produce a carbon-13 NMR spectrum with 2 peaks? HO OH 1 2 3 A 1, 2 and 3 B On
  6. June 2024, Paper 2, Q24 (6 marks): 24* Analysis of an unknown organic compound J produces the following results. Elemental analysis by mass of compound J C, 80.60%; H, 7.46%; O, 11.94% Mass spect
  7. June 2023, Paper 2, Q1 (1 mark): Which compound is used for proton exchange in NMR spectroscopy? A CCl4 B CDCl3 C D2O D Si(CH3)4 Your answer [1]
  8. June 2023, Paper 2, Q9 (1 mark): Which compound has the greatest number of peaks in its proton NMR spectrum? O A O Br B Br O O C OH HO OH O D Your answer [1]
  9. June 2023, Paper 2, Q17(d) (5 marks): There are 4 structural isomers of C4H10O that are alcohols. A student predicts that these structural isomers could be distinguished using carbon-13 NMR spectros
  10. June 2023, Paper 2, Q23 (6 marks): 23* An unknown organic compound is analysed. The results are shown below. Addition of 2,4-DNP No visible change Elemental analysis by mass C, 66.63%; H, 11.18%;
  11. June 2022, Paper 2, Q12 (1 mark): Which compound produces two triplets in its 1H NMR spectrum? A CH3CH2COOCH2CH3 B CH3CH2COCH2CH3 C HOOCCH2CH2COOH D HOOCCH2CH2CH2COOH Your answer [1]
  12. June 2022, Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): Which isomer(s) of C5H12O has/have 4 peaks in its/their 13C NMR spectrum? 1 3-methylbutan-2-ol 2 2-methylbutan-2-ol 3 2-methylbutan-1-ol A 1, 2 and 3 B Only 1 a
  13. June 2022, Paper 2, Q16(b)(v) (4 marks): Compounds D and E are two more structural isomers of C6H12. Compounds D and E do not show stereoisomerism. Table 16.1 shows NMR and infrared (IR) spectral data
  14. June 2022, Paper 2, Q18(c) (4 marks): The organic compound H contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen only and has an Mr of 114.0. Compound H has two carbonyl groups and no other functional groups. The
  15. June 2022, Paper 2, Q20(a)(ii) (3 marks): A student thought that 13C NMR spectroscopy could be used to distinguish between compounds J, K and L. Explain, with reasoning, whether the student is correct.
  16. June 2022, Paper 3, Q1(c)(i) (2 marks): Fill in the table to predict the splitting patterns in the proton NMR spectrum of the organic compound. Proton environment Splitting pattern 1 2 3 4 [2]
  17. June 2022, Paper 3, Q1(c)(ii) (2 marks): The table shows the chemical shifts for the peaks in the proton NMR spectrum at proton environments 2 and 3. Proton environment 2 3 Chemical shift, δ 2.5 ppm 3.
  18. November 2021, Paper 2, Q13 (1 mark): Which compound(s) has/have four peaks in a 13C NMR spectrum? O 1 2 O 3 A 1, 2 and 3 B Only 1 and 2 C Only 2 and 3 D Only 1 Your answer [1]
  19. November 2021, Paper 2, Q20(b)(ii) (6 marks): The pure sample of C is analysed to give the following results. Percentage composition by mass: C, 31.44%; H, 1.31%; N, 18.34%; O, 48.91%. The mass spectrum of
  20. November 2020, Paper 2, Q8 (1 mark): Which isomer of C6H12O2 produces the smallest number of peaks in its 13C NMR spectrum? 8 O A OH O B O O C OH O D OH Your answer [1]
  21. November 2020, Paper 2, Q17(c)(i) (2 marks): Predict the number of peaks in the 13C NMR spectra of compounds C and D. Compound C Compound D Number of peaks [2]
  22. November 2020, Paper 2, Q22(a) (2 marks): Explain the use of two deuterated compounds in NMR spectroscopy. [2]
  23. November 2020, Paper 2, Q22(b) (6 marks): An organic compound I is analysed, using a combination of techniques. The analytical data is shown below. Elemental analysis by mass C, 56.69%; H, 7.09%; N, 11.
  24. November 2020, Paper 3, Q1(b)(ii) (6 marks): Amine A is a liquid at room temperature and pressure. When vaporised, 0.202 g of the amine produces 72.0 cm3 of gas at 1.00 × 105 Pa and 100 °C. The 13C NMR spe
  25. June 2019, Paper 2, Q10 (1 mark): Which compound shows 4 peaks in its carbon-13 NMR spectrum? A B C D Your answer [1]
  26. June 2019, Paper 2, Q12 (1 mark): A compound produces the 13C NMR spectrum below. 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 chemical shift, d / ppm Which compound could have produced this spectrum? A Propane B
  27. June 2019, Paper 2, Q18(b) (4 marks): The protons in ester A are in four different environments, labelled 1– 4 on the structure below. 1 3 O 4 CH2 CH2 C Br CH2 O CH3 2 Complete the table to predict
  28. June 2019, Paper 2, Q18(c) (1 mark): Compound B is a structural isomer of ester A. • Compound B reacts with aqueous sodium carbonate. • The 13C NMR spectrum of B has 4 peaks. Draw a possible struct
  29. June 2019, Paper 2, Q21 (6 marks): 21* Analysis of an unknown organic compound produced the following results. Elemental analysis by mass C: 73.17%; H: 7.32%; O: 19.51% Mass spectrum Molecular io
  30. June 2019, Paper 3, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Predict the number of peaks in a 13C NMR spectrum of chloroxylenol. [1]
  31. June 2018, Paper 2, Q1 (1 mark): Which compound is used as a standard for NMR chemical shift measurements? A Si(CH3)4 B CDCl3 C D2O D CCl4 Your answer [1]
  32. June 2018, Paper 2, Q6 (1 mark): What is the number of peaks in the 1H NMR spectrum of HOOCCH2CHOHCH2COOH? 6 A 3 B 4 C 5 D 6 Your answer [1]
  33. June 2018, Paper 2, Q18(a)(i) (3 marks): A student carries out the nitration of phenol with dilute nitric acid to produce 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol. A small amount of 3-nitrophenol is also produc
  34. June 2018, Paper 2, Q22(d) (6 marks): The relative molecular masses and boiling points of some fuels are shown in Table 22.1. Fuel Relative molecular mass Boiling point / °C hexane 86 69 pentan-1-ol
  35. June 2017, Paper 2, Q11 (1 mark): The compound below is analysed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. O O HO OH How many peaks are observed in the 1H NMR spectrum? A 5 B 4 C 3 D 2 Your answer [1]
  36. June 2017, Paper 2, Q20(c) (3 marks): The carbon-13 NMR spectrum of the compound is shown below. 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 chemical shift, / ppm δ Using the spectrum and the results from
  37. June 2017, Paper 2, Q21 (6 marks): 21* Compound L is an organic compound containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen only. The 1H NMR spectrum of compound L is shown below. The numbers by the peaks ar

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