Edexcel A Level Chemistry — Paper 2 Predicted Question Bank
EDEXCEL A LEVEL CHEMISTRY
PAPER 2: ORGANIC AND PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
PREDICTED QUESTION BANK — JUNE SERIES
300 Practice Questions with Full Answers & Mark Schemes | 684 Total Marks
Contents Overview
Topic 1: Nomenclature, Isomerism & Structure (Q1–25)
Topic 2: Alcohols & Halogenoalkanes (Q26–50)
Topic 3: Carbonyl Compounds, Carboxylic Acids & Esters (Q51–
80)
Topic 4: Aromatic Chemistry (Q81–100)
Topic 5: Amines, Amides, Amino Acids & Proteins (Q101–125)
Topic 6: Polymers & DNA (Q126–150)
Topic 7: Organic Analysis (IR, MS, NMR, Synthesis &
Chromatography) (Q151–175)
Topic 8: Enthalpy Changes & Hess's Law (Q176–200)
Topic 9: Rates of Reaction & Kinetics (Q201–225)
Topic 10: Chemical Equilibria (Kc & Kp) (Q226–250)
Topic 11: Acid-Base Equilibria, pH & Buffers (Q251–275)
Topic 12: Entropy, Gibbs Free Energy & Electrode Potentials
(Q276–300)
Covers the full Paper 2 specification: organic mechanisms & synthesis, spectroscopy, kinetics, equilibria, acid-base
chemistry, thermodynamics and electrochemistry.
Page 1 of 74
, Edexcel A Level Chemistry — Paper 2 Predicted Question Bank
Topic 1: Nomenclature, Isomerism & Structure
Question 1 [MULTIPLE CHOICE — 1 mark]
But-1-ene and but-2-ene are examples of:
A. Chain isomerism
B. Positional isomerism
C. Functional group isomerism
D. Stereoisomerism
Answer / Mark Scheme
B. Positional isomerism
The C=C double bond occupies a different position on the same carbon skeleton (C4H8).
Question 2 [MULTIPLE CHOICE — 1 mark]
Which pair are functional group isomers?
A. Propan-1-ol and propan-2-ol
B. Ethanol and methoxymethane
C. Butane and 2-methylpropane
D. But-1-ene and but-2-ene
Answer / Mark Scheme
B. Ethanol and methoxymethane
Both C2H6O, but ethanol (–OH) and methoxymethane (ether, –O–) belong to different homologous series.
Question 3 [MULTIPLE CHOICE — 1 mark]
Which compound below shows E/Z isomerism?
A. CH2=CHCH3
B. CHCl=CHCl
C. CH2=CH2
D. (CH3)2C=CH2
Answer / Mark Scheme
B. CHCl=CHCl
Each double-bond carbon must carry two different groups; in the others, at least one carbon has two
identical (or two H) substituents.
Question 4 [MULTIPLE CHOICE — 1 mark]
Optical isomerism arises when a molecule contains:
A. A C=C double bond
B. A chiral (asymmetric) carbon atom
C. A benzene ring
D. Restricted rotation about a single bond
Answer / Mark Scheme
B. A chiral (asymmetric) carbon atom
A carbon bonded to four different groups produces two non-superimposable mirror-image forms
Page 2 of 74
, Edexcel A Level Chemistry — Paper 2 Predicted Question Bank
(enantiomers).
Question 5 [MULTIPLE CHOICE — 1 mark]
Which compound has the molecular formula C4H8 but is NOT an alkene?
A. But-1-ene
B. Cyclobutane
C. 2-methylpropene
D. But-2-ene
Answer / Mark Scheme
B. Cyclobutane
Cyclobutane (a cycloalkane) is a chain/functional-group isomer of the butenes, sharing formula C4H8 but
with no C=C.
Question 6 [STRUCTURED — 2 marks]
Give the systematic (IUPAC) name of CH3CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH3.
Answer / Mark Scheme
3-methylpentane
Longest chain = pentane (5C); methyl branch on C3 (numbering gives lowest locant either way, so C3).
Question 7 [STRUCTURED — 2 marks]
Give the systematic name of (CH3)3C–CH2–OH.
Answer / Mark Scheme
2,2-dimethylpropan-1-ol
Parent chain propan-1-ol; two methyl groups on C2 of the same carbon.
Question 8 [STRUCTURED — 3 marks]
Draw and name the two structural isomers of C3H7Cl that differ in the position of the halogen.
Answer / Mark Scheme
1-chloropropane: CH3CH2CH2Cl
2-chloropropane: CH3CHClCH3
Both are positional isomers of the same chain.
Question 9 [STRUCTURED — 2 marks]
State the meaning of the term 'structural isomers'.
Answer / Mark Scheme
Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural (spatial arrangement of atoms)
formulae/different arrangement of atoms.
Question 10 [STRUCTURED — 3 marks]
CH3CH=CHCH3 exists as cis and trans (E/Z) isomers. Explain, in terms of bonding, why rotation about the
C=C bond is restricted.
Page 3 of 74
, Edexcel A Level Chemistry — Paper 2 Predicted Question Bank
Answer / Mark Scheme
The C=C bond consists of a sigma bond plus a pi bond formed by sideways overlap of p-orbitals above and
below the bond axis. Rotation would break the pi-bond overlap, requiring too much energy at room
temperature, so free rotation is prevented.
Question 11 [STRUCTURED — 2 marks]
Assign CIP priority to determine whether CHBrCl=CHBrCl (with Br and Cl on each carbon) is the E or Z
isomer, given both Br atoms are on the same side.
Answer / Mark Scheme
Br has higher atomic number than Cl, so Br is the higher-priority group on each carbon. Both Br atoms on
the same side = Z-isomer.
Question 12 [STRUCTURED — 2 marks]
Give the skeletal formula convention rule for showing stereochemistry of a chiral centre using wedge and dash
bonds.
Answer / Mark Scheme
A wedge bond represents a bond coming out of the plane of the paper towards the viewer; a dashed bond
represents a bond going behind the plane, away from the viewer; plain lines lie in the plane.
Question 13 [STRUCTURED — 2 marks]
Why do enantiomers have identical physical properties (m.p., b.p., solubility) but differ in one specific
property?
Answer / Mark Scheme
They have identical bonds and intermolecular forces, so identical physical properties, but they rotate the
plane of plane-polarised light in opposite directions (optical activity).
Question 14 [STRUCTURED — 3 marks]
A racemic mixture is formed during the free-radical bromination of an alkane at a prochiral carbon. Explain
why.
Answer / Mark Scheme
The radical intermediate is planar (sp2) at the reacting carbon, so the incoming Br atom can attack from
either face with equal probability, producing equal amounts of both enantiomers — a racemic (50:50)
mixture with no net optical activity.
Question 15 [STRUCTURED — 2 marks]
State two pieces of evidence used experimentally to distinguish a pair of enantiomers.
Answer / Mark Scheme
1) Use of a polarimeter to measure the direction/angle of rotation of plane-polarised light.
2) Different biological/physiological effects (e.g. one enantiomer of a drug active, the other inactive or
harmful) due to interaction with chiral receptors.
Question 16 [STRUCTURED — 2 marks]
Page 4 of 74
EDEXCEL A LEVEL CHEMISTRY
PAPER 2: ORGANIC AND PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
PREDICTED QUESTION BANK — JUNE SERIES
300 Practice Questions with Full Answers & Mark Schemes | 684 Total Marks
Contents Overview
Topic 1: Nomenclature, Isomerism & Structure (Q1–25)
Topic 2: Alcohols & Halogenoalkanes (Q26–50)
Topic 3: Carbonyl Compounds, Carboxylic Acids & Esters (Q51–
80)
Topic 4: Aromatic Chemistry (Q81–100)
Topic 5: Amines, Amides, Amino Acids & Proteins (Q101–125)
Topic 6: Polymers & DNA (Q126–150)
Topic 7: Organic Analysis (IR, MS, NMR, Synthesis &
Chromatography) (Q151–175)
Topic 8: Enthalpy Changes & Hess's Law (Q176–200)
Topic 9: Rates of Reaction & Kinetics (Q201–225)
Topic 10: Chemical Equilibria (Kc & Kp) (Q226–250)
Topic 11: Acid-Base Equilibria, pH & Buffers (Q251–275)
Topic 12: Entropy, Gibbs Free Energy & Electrode Potentials
(Q276–300)
Covers the full Paper 2 specification: organic mechanisms & synthesis, spectroscopy, kinetics, equilibria, acid-base
chemistry, thermodynamics and electrochemistry.
Page 1 of 74
, Edexcel A Level Chemistry — Paper 2 Predicted Question Bank
Topic 1: Nomenclature, Isomerism & Structure
Question 1 [MULTIPLE CHOICE — 1 mark]
But-1-ene and but-2-ene are examples of:
A. Chain isomerism
B. Positional isomerism
C. Functional group isomerism
D. Stereoisomerism
Answer / Mark Scheme
B. Positional isomerism
The C=C double bond occupies a different position on the same carbon skeleton (C4H8).
Question 2 [MULTIPLE CHOICE — 1 mark]
Which pair are functional group isomers?
A. Propan-1-ol and propan-2-ol
B. Ethanol and methoxymethane
C. Butane and 2-methylpropane
D. But-1-ene and but-2-ene
Answer / Mark Scheme
B. Ethanol and methoxymethane
Both C2H6O, but ethanol (–OH) and methoxymethane (ether, –O–) belong to different homologous series.
Question 3 [MULTIPLE CHOICE — 1 mark]
Which compound below shows E/Z isomerism?
A. CH2=CHCH3
B. CHCl=CHCl
C. CH2=CH2
D. (CH3)2C=CH2
Answer / Mark Scheme
B. CHCl=CHCl
Each double-bond carbon must carry two different groups; in the others, at least one carbon has two
identical (or two H) substituents.
Question 4 [MULTIPLE CHOICE — 1 mark]
Optical isomerism arises when a molecule contains:
A. A C=C double bond
B. A chiral (asymmetric) carbon atom
C. A benzene ring
D. Restricted rotation about a single bond
Answer / Mark Scheme
B. A chiral (asymmetric) carbon atom
A carbon bonded to four different groups produces two non-superimposable mirror-image forms
Page 2 of 74
, Edexcel A Level Chemistry — Paper 2 Predicted Question Bank
(enantiomers).
Question 5 [MULTIPLE CHOICE — 1 mark]
Which compound has the molecular formula C4H8 but is NOT an alkene?
A. But-1-ene
B. Cyclobutane
C. 2-methylpropene
D. But-2-ene
Answer / Mark Scheme
B. Cyclobutane
Cyclobutane (a cycloalkane) is a chain/functional-group isomer of the butenes, sharing formula C4H8 but
with no C=C.
Question 6 [STRUCTURED — 2 marks]
Give the systematic (IUPAC) name of CH3CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH3.
Answer / Mark Scheme
3-methylpentane
Longest chain = pentane (5C); methyl branch on C3 (numbering gives lowest locant either way, so C3).
Question 7 [STRUCTURED — 2 marks]
Give the systematic name of (CH3)3C–CH2–OH.
Answer / Mark Scheme
2,2-dimethylpropan-1-ol
Parent chain propan-1-ol; two methyl groups on C2 of the same carbon.
Question 8 [STRUCTURED — 3 marks]
Draw and name the two structural isomers of C3H7Cl that differ in the position of the halogen.
Answer / Mark Scheme
1-chloropropane: CH3CH2CH2Cl
2-chloropropane: CH3CHClCH3
Both are positional isomers of the same chain.
Question 9 [STRUCTURED — 2 marks]
State the meaning of the term 'structural isomers'.
Answer / Mark Scheme
Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural (spatial arrangement of atoms)
formulae/different arrangement of atoms.
Question 10 [STRUCTURED — 3 marks]
CH3CH=CHCH3 exists as cis and trans (E/Z) isomers. Explain, in terms of bonding, why rotation about the
C=C bond is restricted.
Page 3 of 74
, Edexcel A Level Chemistry — Paper 2 Predicted Question Bank
Answer / Mark Scheme
The C=C bond consists of a sigma bond plus a pi bond formed by sideways overlap of p-orbitals above and
below the bond axis. Rotation would break the pi-bond overlap, requiring too much energy at room
temperature, so free rotation is prevented.
Question 11 [STRUCTURED — 2 marks]
Assign CIP priority to determine whether CHBrCl=CHBrCl (with Br and Cl on each carbon) is the E or Z
isomer, given both Br atoms are on the same side.
Answer / Mark Scheme
Br has higher atomic number than Cl, so Br is the higher-priority group on each carbon. Both Br atoms on
the same side = Z-isomer.
Question 12 [STRUCTURED — 2 marks]
Give the skeletal formula convention rule for showing stereochemistry of a chiral centre using wedge and dash
bonds.
Answer / Mark Scheme
A wedge bond represents a bond coming out of the plane of the paper towards the viewer; a dashed bond
represents a bond going behind the plane, away from the viewer; plain lines lie in the plane.
Question 13 [STRUCTURED — 2 marks]
Why do enantiomers have identical physical properties (m.p., b.p., solubility) but differ in one specific
property?
Answer / Mark Scheme
They have identical bonds and intermolecular forces, so identical physical properties, but they rotate the
plane of plane-polarised light in opposite directions (optical activity).
Question 14 [STRUCTURED — 3 marks]
A racemic mixture is formed during the free-radical bromination of an alkane at a prochiral carbon. Explain
why.
Answer / Mark Scheme
The radical intermediate is planar (sp2) at the reacting carbon, so the incoming Br atom can attack from
either face with equal probability, producing equal amounts of both enantiomers — a racemic (50:50)
mixture with no net optical activity.
Question 15 [STRUCTURED — 2 marks]
State two pieces of evidence used experimentally to distinguish a pair of enantiomers.
Answer / Mark Scheme
1) Use of a polarimeter to measure the direction/angle of rotation of plane-polarised light.
2) Different biological/physiological effects (e.g. one enantiomer of a drug active, the other inactive or
harmful) due to interaction with chiral receptors.
Question 16 [STRUCTURED — 2 marks]
Page 4 of 74
