Analytical techniques: past paper questions
Real questions on analytical techniques
The newest 20 of 139 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9701/41 · May/June 2026 · Q7b(ii)[1]
State the number of peaks in the carbon-13 NMR spectrum of G.
See it on the paper → - 9701/23 · October/November 2025 · Q4c(ii)[1]
Fig. 4.2 shows the mass spectrum of either compound X or compound Y. 100 80 60 relative abundance 40 20 0 10 20 30 40 m / e 50 60 70 80 Identify which of X and Y gives this mass spectrum. Give one reason for your answer, referring to the fragmentation pattern. Fig. 4.2
See it on the paper → - 9701/23 · October/November 2025 · Q4c(iii)[1]
The molecular ion peak in the spectrum in Fig. 4.2 has relative abundance 34.7. relative abundance of [M+1] + peak = Calculate the relative abundance of the [M+1] + peak in this spectrum. Important values, constants and standards molar gas constant R = 8.31 J K –1 mol –1 Faraday constant F = 9.65 × 10 4 C mol –1 Avogad...
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(i)[2]
Define the following terms used in chromatography. R f value retention time
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(ii)[1]
Each type of chromatography makes use of a stationary phase and a mobile phase. Complete Table 6.1 with a description of each of these. Table 6.1 stationary phase mobile phase thin-layer chromatography gas / liquid chromatography (ii)
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · October/November 2025 · Q6b[1]
A mixture of two substances A and B is analysed by thin-layer chromatography. Suggest why substance A has a larger R f value. The R f value of substance A is larger than that of substance B.
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · October/November 2025 · Q6c(ii)[2]
Name all the different splitting patterns observed in the proton ( 1 H) NMR spectra for Y and Z. Y
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2025 · Q7d[2]
The carbon-13 NMR spectra of R, S, T and U are compared. Complete Table 7.1 to state the number of peaks in the spectrum of each compound. Table 7.1 compound R (CH 3 ) 2 CHCH 2 CHO S (CH 3 ) 3 CCHO T CH 3 CH 2 CH 2 COCH 3 U CH 3 CH 2 COCH 2 CH 3 number of peaks
See it on the paper → - 9701/43 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(i)[2]
Define the following terms used in chromatography. R f value retention time
See it on the paper → - 9701/43 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(ii)[1]
Each type of chromatography makes use of a stationary phase and a mobile phase. Complete Table 6.1 with a description of each of these. Table 6.1 stationary phase mobile phase thin-layer chromatography gas / liquid chromatography (ii)
See it on the paper → - 9701/43 · October/November 2025 · Q6b[1]
A mixture of two substances A and B is analysed by thin-layer chromatography. Suggest why substance A has a larger R f value. The R f value of substance A is larger than that of substance B.
See it on the paper → - 9701/43 · October/November 2025 · Q6c(ii)[2]
Name all the different splitting patterns observed in the proton ( 1 H) NMR spectra for Y and Z. Y
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · May/June 2025 · Q7b(ii)[1]
The proton ( 1 H) NMR spectrum of E is obtained twice, once before and once after shaking with D 2 O. Describe any differences between these two spectra. Explain your answer.
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · May/June 2025 · Q7b(iii)[3]
Complete Table 7.1 for the proton ( 1 H) NMR spectrum of D. (iii) Table 7.1 chemical shift δ / ppm number of 1 H atoms responsible for the peak group responsible for the peak splitting pattern 1.3 2.7 7.1 Table 7.2 environment of proton example chemical shift range δ / ppm alkane –CH 3 , –CH 2 –, >CH– 0.9–1.7 alkyl nex...
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · May/June 2025 · Q7b(iv)[1]
Compounds D and E can be distinguished by carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy. State the number of peaks in each spectrum. The carbon-13 NMR spectrum of D has peaks.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · May/June 2025 · Q8a[1]
Compound A is analysed by carbon-13 NMR and proton ( 1 H) NMR spectroscopy. A O O Fig. 8.1 State the reference substance and a solvent that can be used in NMR spectroscopy. reference O
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · May/June 2025 · Q8b[1]
Predict the number of peaks in the carbon-13 NMR spectrum of A.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · May/June 2025 · Q8c[4]
The proton ( 1 H) NMR spectrum of A shows peaks in four different chemical environments. Complete Table 8.1 for the proton ( 1 H) NMR spectrum of A. Table 8.1 chemical shift δ / ppm splitting pattern number of protons on adjacent carbon atoms number of 1 H atoms responsible for the peak 6 2.85 3.75 1.50 1.10 Table 8.2...
See it on the paper → - 9701/52 · February/March 2025 · Q2c[1]
In step 6, a small sample of the reaction mixture is analysed along with samples of ester X and ethanoic acid. ester X reaction mixture ethanoic acid Fig. 2.2 State what feature of the chromatogram shows that the hydrolysis is incomplete. Fig. 2.2 shows the chromatogram produced.
See it on the paper → - 9701/52 · February/March 2025 · Q2f[3]
Fig. 2.4 shows the proton ( 1 H) NMR spectrum of compound ROH. 6H 1H 1H 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 chemical shift δ / ppm 2 1 0 Fig. 2.4 3 Table 2.3 shows some relevant ( 1 H) NMR information. Use Table 2.3 to complete Table 2.4, and state the name of ROH. Table 2.3 environment of proton alkane –CH 3 , –CH 2 –, >CH– 0.9 –1.7 al...
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The question asked candidates to ‘State what feature of the chromatogram …’. Many candidates did not refer to the chromatogram at all. There needed to be some reference to the spots or their Rf values. For example, ‘one of the spots in the reaction mixture had the same Rf value as the ester spot’. The common error was referring to the ‘extra’ spot for the reaction mixture.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9701/52 Q2(c) (Cambridge)
Very few candidates scored all 3 marks for this question. More could explain the singlet as coming from the proton in an –OH group in an alcohol than could explain the multiplet, which was from the >CH–O–proton (next to two CH3 groups to explain the splitting into an heptet). However, even without scoring the first two marks for analysis of the ( 1H) spectrum, many candidates were able to identif...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9701/52 Q2(f) (Cambridge)
This question was answered well. Many candidates correctly identified the chemical shift values. Fewer candidates were able to select the correct splitting patterns that would be seen. Common errors included stating the CH environment was a quartet (instead of a multiplet) or COOH was a doublet (instead of a singlet). The explanation for the splitting patterns was well known.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9701/41 Q8(d)(ii) (Cambridge)
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