An introduction to A Level organic chemistry: past paper questions

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• Question 7May/June 2026, paper 42Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Alanine, ${\text{CH}}_3\text{CH}({\text{NH}}_2)\text{COOH}$, is an amino acid that contains a chiral centre. Different synthetic routes to produce alanine can lead to the formation of an optically active sample or a racemic mixture. Describe what is meant by optically active.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured16 marks

  Asparagine and aspartic acid are two naturally occurring amino acids. Their structures and isoelectric points are shown in Table 8.1.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2024, paper 42Structured12 marksHas a diagram

  The amino acid serine, ${\text{HOCH}}_2\text{CH}({\text{NH}}_2)\text{COOH}$, exists in two optically active forms. These optical isomers, isomer P and isomer Q, are shown in Fig. 8.1.

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• Question 2May/June 2023, paper 41Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Some transition element complexes can show stereoisomerism.

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• Question 9May/June 2026, paper 43Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  An amino acid is a compound that has both an amine group and a carboxyl group. The structures of three amino acids, $\mathbf{P}$, $\mathbf{Q}$ and $\mathbf{R}$, are shown in Figure 9.1.

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured14 marksHas a diagram

  Compound X is made from benzene by the route shown in Fig. 9.1. Describe the bonding in benzene, ${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_6$.

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• Question 8May/June 2024, paper 41Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Neotame is an artificial sweetener added to some foods. Fig. 8.1 State the number of chiral carbon atoms in a molecule of neotame.

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• Question 4May/June 2023, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  State the hybridisation of the carbon atoms and the C–C–H bond angle in benzene, ${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_6$.

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• Question 7May/June 2025, paper 42Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  2-aminobutane, $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_3\mathrm{C}\mathrm{H}(\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{H}}_2)\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_3$, exists as a mixture of two enantiomers. Define enantiomers.

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• Question 8May/June 2024, paper 43Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Neotame is an artificial sweetener added to some foods. State the number of chiral carbon atoms in a molecule of neotame.

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• Question 6May/June 2023, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Compound H has the structural formula $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_2=\mathrm{C}\mathrm{H}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{H}(\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{H}}_2)\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}$. Name all the functional groups in H.

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• Question 6May/June 2023, paper 42Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Perindopril is a drug used to treat heart disease. State the number of chiral carbon atoms present in one molecule of perindopril.

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