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OCR A-level Chemistry Revision Notes

Our OCR A-Level Chemistry revision notes have been split into categories to make it easy to dive into the topics you feel you need to revise. Covering all topics, these bite-sized revision notes include simple explanations and images to make it easier to digest even the trickiest of concepts.

OCR 2.1.1 Atomic structure and Isotopes

Amount of Substance – Measuring Relative Masses (A-Level Chemistry)

Atomic Structure – Mass Spectrometry (A-Level Chemistry)

Atomic Structure – Element Isotopes (A-Level Chemistry)

Atomic Structure – Atomic and Mass Number (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 2.1.2 Compounds, Formulae and Equations

Bonding – Ion Formation (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – Balancing Chemical Equations (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 2.1.3 Amount of Substance

Amount of Substance – Percentage Atom Economy (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – Calculating Percentage Yields (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – Empirical and Molecular Formulae (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – Further Mole Calculations (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance- The Mole and The Avogadro Constant (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – The Ideal Gas Equation (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 2.1.4 Acids

Acids and Bases – Titrations (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Neutralisation Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – The Brønsted-Lowry Acid-Base Theory (A-Level Chemistry)

Electrode Potentials and Electrochemical Cells – Commercial Applications of Fuel Cells (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 2.1.5 Redox

Oxidation, Reduction and Redox Equations – Redox Processes (A-Level Chemistry)

Oxidation, Reduction and Redox Equations – Oxidation States (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 2.2.1 Electron structure

Atomic Structure – Electron Arrangement (A-Level Chemistry)

Atomic Structure – Electrons in Atoms (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 2.2.2 Bonding and Structure

Bonding – Hydrogen Bonding in Water (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Forces Between Molecules (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Bond Polarity (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Molecular Shapes (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Properties of Covalent Structures (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Covalent Bonds (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Properties of Ionic Bonding (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 3.1.1 Periodicity

Periodicity – Trends Along Period 3 (A-Level Chemistry)

Ionisation Energies (A-Level Chemistry)

Periodicity – Classification (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Carbon Allotropes (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Properties of Metallic Bonding (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 3.1.2 Group 2

Uses of Group 2 Elements and their Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

Reactions of Group 2 Elements (A-Level Chemistry)

Group 2, The Alkaline Earth Metals (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 3.1.3 The Halogens

The Halogens -Halide Ions and their Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

The Halogens – Disproportionation Reactions in Halogens (A-Level Chemistry)

The Halogens – Reactions with Halogens (A-Level Chemistry)

The Halogens – Group 7, The Halogens (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 3.1.4 Qualitative analysis

The Halogens – Testing for Ions (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 3.2.2 Reaction rates

Rate Equations – Measuring Rate of Reaction (A-Level Chemistry)

Kinetics – The Maxwell–Boltzmann Distribution and Catalysts (A-Level Chemistry)

Kinetics – The Collision Theory and Reaction Rates (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 3.2.3 Chemical equilibrium

Calculations with Equilibrium Constants (A-Level Chemistry)

Chemical Equilibria applied to Industry (A-Level Chemistry)

Chemical Equilibria and Le Chatelier’s Principle (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 4.1.1 Basic Concepts of Organic Chemistry

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – Structural Isomers (A-Level Chemistry)

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – Reaction Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry (A-Level Chemistry)

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – General Formulae (A-Level Chemistry)

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – Introduction to Functional Groups (A-Level Chemistry)

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – Naming and Representing Organic Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 4.1.2 Alkanes

Alkanes – Alkanes: Properties and Reactivity (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 4.1.3 Alkenes

Alkenes – Addition Polymerisation in Alkenes (A-Level Chemistry)

Alkenes – Alkene Structure and Reactivity (A-Level Chemistry)

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – E/Z Isomerism (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 4.2.1 Alcohols

Alcohols – Alcohol Reactivity (A-Level Chemistry)

Alcohols – Alcohol oxidation (A-Level Chemistry)

Alcohols – Introduction to Alcohols (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 4.2.2 Haloalkanes

Halogenoalkanes – Environmental Impact of Halogenalkanes (A-Level Chemistry)

Halogenoalkanes – Reactivity of Halogenoalkanes (A-Level Chemistry)

Halogenoalkanes – Introduction to Halogenoalkanes (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 4.2.3 Organic synthesis

Organic Synthesis – Organic Synthesis: Aliphatic Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Synthesis – Practical Purification Techniques (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Synthesis – Practical Preparation Techniques (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Analysis – Identification of Functional Groups (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 4.2.4 Analytical techniques

Organic Analysis – Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Analysis – Identification of Functional Groups (A-Level Chemistry)

Atomic Structure – Mass Spectrometry (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 5.1.1 Rates, Equilibrium and pH

Rate Equations – Reaction Determining Steps (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Reaction Half Lives (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Uses of Clock Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Determining Orders of Reactions Graphically (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Determining Order of Reaction Experimentally (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Temperature Changes and the Rate Constant (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – The Rate Constant (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Introduction to Orders of Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – The Rate Equation (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 5.1.2 How fast?

Equilibrium Constant for Homogenous Systems – Le Chatelier’s Principle in Gas Equilibria (A-Level Chemistry)

Equilibrium Constant for Homogenous Systems – Gas Equilibria and Kp (A-Level Chemistry)

Equilibrium Constant for Homogeneous System – Changing Kp (A-Level Chemistry)

Equilibrium Constant for Homogenous Systems – Gas Partial Pressures (A-Level Chemistry)

Calculations with Equilibrium Constants (A-Level Chemistry)

Chemical Equilibria applied to Industry (A-Level Chemistry)

Chemical Equilibria and Le Chatelier’s Principle (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 5.1.3 Acids, Bases and Buffers

Acids and Bases – Acid-Base Indicators (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Titrations (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Buffer Action (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Dilutions and pH (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – pH of Strong Bases (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Ionic Product of Water (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – More Ka Calculations (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – The Acid Dissociation Constant, Ka (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – The pH Scale and Strong Acids (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Neutralisation Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 5.2.1 Lattice enthalpy

Thermodynamic – Calculating Enthalpy Changes of Solution (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Enthalpy of Solution (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Calculations involving Born-Haber Cycles (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Construction of Born-Haber Cycles (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Enthalpy Key Terms (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Lattice Enthalpies (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 5.2.2 Enthalpy and Entropy

Thermodynamic – Calculations involving Free Energy (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Gibbs Free Energy (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Total Entropy Changes (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Introduction to Entropy (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 5.2.3 Redox and Electrode potentials

Transition Metals – Examples of Redox Reactions in Transition Metals (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Iodine-Sodium Thiosulfate Titrations (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Carrying Titrations with Potassium Permanganate (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Redox Titrations (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Redox Potentials (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Redox Reactions Revisited (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Acid-Base Indicators (A-Level Chemistry)

Electrode Potentials and Electrochemical Cells – Commercial Applications of Fuel Cells (A-Level Chemistry)

Electrode Potentials and Electrochemical Cells – Electrochemical Cells Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

Electrode Potentials and Electrochemical Cells – Electrode Potentials (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 5.3.1 Transition elements

Precipitation Reactions of Metal Ions in Solution (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Iodine-Sodium Thiosulfate Titrations (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Carrying Titrations with Potassium Permanganate (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Redox Titrations (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Ligand Substitution Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Colour in Transition Metal Ions (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Optical Isomerism in Complex Ions (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Cis-Trans Isomerism in Complex Ions (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Complex Ion Shape (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Ligands (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 5.3.2 Qualitative analysis

Precipitation Reactions of Metal Ions in Solution (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.1.1 Aromatic compounds

Aromatic Chemistry – Reactivity of Substituted Benzene (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Friedel-Crafts Acylation and Alkylation (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Halogenation Reactions in Benzene (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Electrophilic Substitution Reactions in Benzene (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Benzene Nomenclature (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Improved Benzene Model (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Introduction to Benzene (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.1.2 Carbonyl compounds

Aldehydes and Ketones – Reactions to Increase Carbon Chain Length (A-Level Chemistry)

Aldehydes and Ketones – Testing for Carbonyl Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

Aldehydes and Ketones – Reactivity of Carbonyl Compunds (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.1.3 Carboxylic acids and Esters

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Acyl Groups (A-Level Chemistry)

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Properties and Reactivity of Esters (A-Level Chemistry)

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Properties and Reactivity of Carboxylic Acids (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.2.1 Amines

Amines – Introduction to Amines (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.2.2 Amino acids, Amides and Chirality

Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA – Structure of Amino Acids (A-Level Chemistry)

Amines – Properties and Reactivity of Amines (A-Level Chemistry)

Amines – Amine Synthesis (A-Level Chemistry)

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Structure of Amides (A-Level Chemistry)

Optical Isomerism (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.2.3 Polyesters and Polyamides

Polymer Biodegradability (A-Level Chemistry)

Condensation Polymers (A-Level Chemistry)

Polyamide Formation (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.2.4 Carbon–carbon Bond Formation

Organic Synthesis – Organic Synthesis: Aliphatic Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

Amines – Nitriles (A-Level Chemistry)

Amines – Amine Synthesis (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Friedel-Crafts Acylation and Alkylation (A-Level Chemistry)

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Acyl Groups (A-Level Chemistry)

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Properties and Reactivity of Esters (A-Level Chemistry)

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Properties and Reactivity of Carboxylic Acids (A-Level Chemistry)

Aldehydes and Ketones – Reactions to Increase Carbon Chain Length (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.2.5 Organic synthesis

Organic Synthesis – Considerations in Organic Synthesis (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Synthesis – Organic Synthesis: Aliphatic Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Synthesis – Practical Purification Techniques (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Synthesis – Practical Preparation Techniques (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.3.1 Chromatography and Qualitative Analysis

Analytical Techniques – Different Types of Chromatography (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – Chromatography (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Analysis – Identification of Functional Groups (A-Level Chemistry)

OCR 6.3.2 Spectroscopy

Analytical Techniques – Deuterium use in ¹H NMR (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – High Resolution ¹H NMR (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – Types of NMR: Hydrogen (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – Types of NMR: Carbon 13 (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – NMR Samples and Standards (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (A-Level Chemistry)

FAQs

Read some of our most frequently asked questions and answers

How should I use the OCR A-Level Chemistry revision notes?

There is no right way to revise for your exams. Our notes give you a comprehensive guide to all topics covered in the exams. You can choose to dip into them for a quick recap or use them as a base to write your own notes.

What is covered in the OCR A-Level Chemistry exam?

There are 6 modules that are assessed in the exams: Development of practical skills in chemistry, Foundations in chemistry, Periodic table and energy, Core organic chemistry, Physical chemistry and transition elements, and Organic chemistry and analysis.

How long is the OCR A-Level Chemistry exam?

Students are required to sit three papers. Paper 1: Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry and Paper 2:Synthesis and analytical techniques are both 2 hours and 15 minutes long. They carry a weighting of 37% of your final score. Paper 3: Unified chemistry is 1 hour and 30 minutes long and carries a weighting of 26%. Students are also required to pass a practical endorsement in chemistry but this is done in class and not as an exam.