OCR A Level Chemistry A
OCR A Level Chemistry A Module 6: Organic Chemistry and Analysis Exam Questions
Free OCR A Level Chemistry A exam questions for Module 6: Organic Chemistry and Analysis, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers aromatic compounds, carbonyls, carboxylic acids and derivatives, amines, amino acids, chirality, polymers, synthesis, chromatography and NMR.
Module 6: Organic Chemistry and Analysis exam questions
3 question packs of real past exam questions, each with its mark scheme. Do not stop after a few: answer as many as you can without notes, then mark every answer with the mark scheme. The more questions you do, the more quickly you will spot how examiners ask about each idea.
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A-Level Chemistry Flashcards for 2027 Onwards
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About OCR A Level Chemistry A Module 6: Organic Chemistry and Analysis
Module 6 of OCR A Level Chemistry A completes the organic chemistry begun in Module 4. It covers benzene and electrophilic substitution, phenols and directing effects, carbonyl compounds and nucleophilic addition, carboxylic acids, esters and acyl chlorides, amines, amino acids, amides and chirality, condensation polymers, carbon-carbon bond formation and multi-stage synthesis, and organic analysis by chromatography and NMR spectroscopy. In the A Level it is assessed in Paper 2 (Synthesis and analytical techniques) and Paper 3 (Unified chemistry). Examiners like mechanism questions, synthesis routes with reagents and conditions, chemical tests and structure deduction from NMR and other data.
What you need to know
- 6.1.1 Aromatic compounds Kekule versus delocalised model with evidence; electrophilic substitution (nitration, halogenation with a halogen carrier, Friedel-Crafts alkylation and acylation). Phenol is weakly acidic and reacts readily with bromine; 2- and 4-directing groups (OH, NH2) and 3-directing groups (NO2).
- 6.1.2 Carbonyl compounds Oxidation of aldehydes; reduction with NaBH4; nucleophilic addition of HCN (from NaCN and H+); 2,4-DNP test and melting point of derivative; Tollens' reagent for aldehydes.
- 6.1.3 Carboxylic acids and esters Acidity and reactions with metals, bases and carbonates; esterification; ester hydrolysis in acid and alkali; acyl chlorides made with SOCl2 and their reactions with water, alcohols, phenols, ammonia and amines.
- 6.2.1 to 6.2.3 Nitrogen compounds and polymers Basicity of amines, preparation from haloalkanes and nitrobenzene reduction (Sn and HCl), amino acids and amides, optical isomerism; condensation polymers (polyesters and polyamides) and their hydrolysis.
- 6.2.4 and 6.2.5 Carbon-carbon bonds and synthesis Extending chains using cyanide (nitriles) and Friedel-Crafts; reduction of nitriles to amines and hydrolysis to acids; recrystallisation and melting point; planning multi-stage routes.
- 6.3 Analysis TLC (Rf) and gas chromatography (retention time); tests for functional groups; 13C NMR and 1H NMR with chemical shift, integration, n+1 splitting and D2O exchange to identify OH and NH protons.
Common mistakes in Module 6: Organic Chemistry and Analysis
- Forgetting that phenol does not react with carbonates, which separates it from carboxylic acids.
- Drawing the electrophilic substitution intermediate with a full delocalised ring.
- Using NaBH4 to reduce C=C bonds. NaBH4 reduces C=O but not C=C.
- Missing the D2O technique: OH and NH peaks disappear because the protons exchange with deuterium.
- Getting a polymer repeat unit wrong by including both full ends of monomers, or missing the correct linkage.
Try three Module 6: Organic Chemistry and Analysis exam-style questions
1. Draw the mechanism for the reduction of propanone with NaBH4. Name the product. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Curly arrow from lone pair of H- (hydride ion) to delta positive carbon of C=O, arrow from C=O to O; alkoxide intermediate with arrow from O- lone pair to H of H2O; product propan-2-ol.
2. Explain why phenol reacts with bromine more readily than benzene does. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
A lone pair on oxygen is partially delocalised into the ring; increasing the electron density of the ring; so it polarises bromine more and attracts electrophiles more strongly (no halogen carrier needed).
3. A compound has the formula C4H8O2. Its 1H NMR spectrum shows a singlet (3H) at about 3.7 ppm, a quartet (2H) at about 2.3 ppm and a triplet (3H) at about 1.1 ppm. Identify the compound. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Singlet 3H at about 3.7 ppm with no neighbouring H is a CH3 bonded to O; quartet (2H) and triplet (3H) show a CH2CH3 group, with the CH2 next to C=O at about 2.3 ppm; compound is methyl propanoate, CH3CH2COOCH3.
Module 6: Organic Chemistry and Analysis FAQs
What does OCR A Level Chemistry A Module 6: Organic Chemistry and Analysis cover?
It covers aromatic compounds, carbonyls, carboxylic acids and derivatives, amines, amino acids and chirality, polymers, carbon-carbon bond formation, multi-stage synthesis, chromatography and NMR spectroscopy.
Which papers is Module 6 examined in?
In the A Level, Module 6 is assessed in Paper 2 (Synthesis and analytical techniques) and Paper 3 (Unified chemistry).
How do I get better at NMR questions?
For each spectrum count environments, use integration for the ratio of hydrogens, apply the n+1 rule to deduce neighbours, use chemical shifts to place groups, then check the molecular formula fits.
