OCR A LEVEL CHEMISTRY EXAMINATION- 2026
SYNTHETIC ROUTES & ORGANIC PATHWAYS
(Organic Chemistry – Multi-Step Synthesis & Reaction Sequences)
Qualification: A Level Chemistry (OCR Specification A)
Paper Code: H432/02
Topic Area: Organic Synthesis & Reaction Pathways
Date: __________________________
Time: __________________________
Duration: 2 Hours
Total Marks: 80
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Answer ALL questions.
Show all reaction steps clearly, including reagents, conditions, and
intermediates.
Use displayed or skeletal formulas where appropriate.
Include mechanisms with curly arrows when required.
Ensure correct IUPAC nomenclature is used throughout.
Clearly indicate functional group transformations.
,A Data Sheet is provided.
Use of a scientific calculator is permitted.
CANDIDATE DETAILS
Full Name: ____________________________________________
Candidate Number: _____________________________________
Centre Number: ________________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________________
FOR EXAMINER’S USE ONLY
Question Marks Available Marks Awarded
1
2
3
…
Total 80
Haloalkane (R-X) → Nitrile (R-C≡N)
KCN (potassium cyanide) (or NaCN) in ethanol
Nucleophilic Substitution
, Haloalkane (R-X) → Amine (R-NH₂)
NH₃ (ammonia) in ethanol
Carboxylic acid (R-COOH) → Ester (R-COO-R')
Alcohol (R'-OH)
concentrated H₂SO₄ catalyst
Esterification
Primary Alcohol (R-CH₂OH) → Aldehyde (R-CHO)
Distil with K₂Cr₂O₇/H₂SO₄ (acidified potassium dichromate)
Primary Alcohol (R-CH₂OH) → Carboxylic acid (R-COOH)
Reflux with K₂Cr₂O₇/H₂SO₄ (acidified potassium dichromate)
Uses two molecules of oxidising agent ([O]), produces one molecule of H₂O
Secondary Alcohol (R-CH(OH)-R') → Ketone (R-C(O)-R')
Reflux with K₂Cr₂O₇/H₂SO₄ (acidified potassium dichromate)
Byproduct: H₂O
SYNTHETIC ROUTES & ORGANIC PATHWAYS
(Organic Chemistry – Multi-Step Synthesis & Reaction Sequences)
Qualification: A Level Chemistry (OCR Specification A)
Paper Code: H432/02
Topic Area: Organic Synthesis & Reaction Pathways
Date: __________________________
Time: __________________________
Duration: 2 Hours
Total Marks: 80
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Answer ALL questions.
Show all reaction steps clearly, including reagents, conditions, and
intermediates.
Use displayed or skeletal formulas where appropriate.
Include mechanisms with curly arrows when required.
Ensure correct IUPAC nomenclature is used throughout.
Clearly indicate functional group transformations.
,A Data Sheet is provided.
Use of a scientific calculator is permitted.
CANDIDATE DETAILS
Full Name: ____________________________________________
Candidate Number: _____________________________________
Centre Number: ________________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________________
FOR EXAMINER’S USE ONLY
Question Marks Available Marks Awarded
1
2
3
…
Total 80
Haloalkane (R-X) → Nitrile (R-C≡N)
KCN (potassium cyanide) (or NaCN) in ethanol
Nucleophilic Substitution
, Haloalkane (R-X) → Amine (R-NH₂)
NH₃ (ammonia) in ethanol
Carboxylic acid (R-COOH) → Ester (R-COO-R')
Alcohol (R'-OH)
concentrated H₂SO₄ catalyst
Esterification
Primary Alcohol (R-CH₂OH) → Aldehyde (R-CHO)
Distil with K₂Cr₂O₇/H₂SO₄ (acidified potassium dichromate)
Primary Alcohol (R-CH₂OH) → Carboxylic acid (R-COOH)
Reflux with K₂Cr₂O₇/H₂SO₄ (acidified potassium dichromate)
Uses two molecules of oxidising agent ([O]), produces one molecule of H₂O
Secondary Alcohol (R-CH(OH)-R') → Ketone (R-C(O)-R')
Reflux with K₂Cr₂O₇/H₂SO₄ (acidified potassium dichromate)
Byproduct: H₂O
