x 1 hour lessons

This module covers the key analytical techniques used to identify unknown compounds, including qualitative tests, chromatography,  infrared (IR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and both proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). We’ll focus on applying this knowledge to unfamiliar compounds, interpreting complex spectra, and combining data from multiple sources to deduce structures — a crucial skill for the final paper.

By the end of this module you will be able to:

• Recognise and explain the results of key test-tube reactions for organic functional groups

• Explain chromatographic methods, including effect of solvent on Rf. 

• Interpret infrared spectra and identify key absorptions for different bonds

• Use both proton and carbon-13 NMR spectra to deduce organic structures

• Combine information from IR, MS and NMR to identify unknown compounds

• Confidently answer both structured and open-ended spectroscopy questions, including long-form ‘deduce the structure’ problems

• Avoid common mistakes in identifying peaks or misinterpreting data

• Understand and explain the underlying principles behind each technique

AQA Specification Points Covered:

3.17 Identification of functional groups by test-tube reactions

3.18 Mass spectrometry

3.19 Infrared spectroscopy

3.37 1H-Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

3.38 13C-Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy