What does the CCEA A2 2 module cover?

A2 2 brings together inorganic, physical, analytical and organic chemistry. It covers transition metals and complex ions with their colour, oxidation states and catalysis, electrochemistry with electrode potentials, cells and feasibility, analytical chemistry with redox titrations and colorimetry, instrumental analysis by chromatography and NMR spectroscopy, and organic synthesis with multi-step routes and addition and condensation polymers.

How is NMR used to find structure in A2 2?

NMR detects atoms in different chemical environments. The chemical shift shows the type of environment, the number of peaks gives the number of environments, the integration gives the ratio of atoms, and spin-spin splitting follows the n plus 1 rule to reveal neighbouring atoms. Combining these clues, and often the infrared and mass spectra, lets you deduce the full structure of an organic molecule.

How do electrode potentials predict feasibility in A2 2?

Each half-cell has a standard electrode potential measured against the standard hydrogen electrode at zero volts. The cell potential is the more positive electrode potential minus the less positive one, and a positive cell potential means the redox reaction is feasible. As with free energy, feasibility is thermodynamic, so a feasible reaction can still be slow if the activation energy is high.

What is the single most common mistake in A2 2?

In electrochemistry, subtracting the electrode potentials the wrong way and getting a negative cell potential for a feasible reaction. In titrations, adding an indicator to a self-indicating manganate(VII) titration, or adding starch too early in the iodine-thiosulfate method. In organic chemistry, confusing addition and condensation polymers and forgetting the small molecule lost in condensation.

How should I revise the A2 2 module?

Learn transition metal chemistry as properties, complexes, colour and catalysis, and drill the electrode potential and titration calculations. Practise reading NMR, infrared and mass spectra together for structure determination, and rehearse multi-step synthetic routes by mapping the reagents and conditions for each functional-group change. CCEA rewards accurate calculation, spectral interpretation and clear reaction pathways.

Northern IrelandChemistry

CCEA A-Level Chemistry A2 2 Analytical, Transition Metals and Electrochemistry: a complete overview

A deep-dive CCEA A-Level Chemistry guide to the A2 2 module. Covers transition metals and complex ions, electrode potentials and cells, redox titrations and colorimetry, chromatography and NMR spectroscopy, and organic synthesis and polymers, with the calculations, spectra and reaction pathways CCEA examines.

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Jump to a section

What this module demands
Transition metals and electrochemistry
Analytical chemistry
Instrumental analysis
Organic synthesis and polymers
How this module is examined
Check your knowledge

What this module demands

A2 2 Analytical, Transition Metals, Electrochemistry and Organic Chemistry is the synoptic finishing unit. It draws together inorganic chemistry (transition metals), physical chemistry (electrochemistry and analysis) and organic chemistry (instrumental analysis, synthesis and polymers). CCEA rewards accurate calculation, confident spectral interpretation and the ability to plan a multi-step synthesis.

This guide walks through the five dot points of the module, then sets out the exam patterns CCEA repeats. Each topic has a matching dot-point page with practice questions; this overview ties them together.

Transition metals and electrochemistry

Transition metals and complexes covers the d-block elements, their variable oxidation states, complex ion formation and shapes, ligand substitution, the origin of colour from d-orbital splitting, and catalysis. Electrode potentials and cells covers the standard hydrogen electrode, standard electrode potentials, the electrochemical series, cell potential calculations, feasibility, and fuel cells.

Analytical chemistry

Analytical chemistry covers the quantitative methods: redox titrations with potassium manganate(VII) and the iodine-thiosulfate method, colorimetry for coloured ions, and the planning and evaluation of analysis with attention to uncertainty.

Instrumental analysis

Chromatography and NMR covers the instrumental methods: thin-layer and gas chromatography with $R_f$ values and retention times, and nuclear magnetic resonance with chemical shift, the number of environments, integration and spin-spin splitting. These are often combined with infrared and mass spectra for full structure determination.

Organic synthesis and polymers

Organic synthesis and polymers covers multi-step reaction pathways and the choice of reagents and conditions, methods of improving purity and yield, addition and condensation polymers (polyesters and polyamides), and the disposal and biodegradability of polymers.

How this module is examined

A typical CCEA profile for A2 2:

Transition metal chemistry. Explaining colour, oxidation states, complexes and catalysis, and writing ligand substitution reactions.
Electrochemistry. Calculating cell potentials and deciding feasibility from electrode potentials.
Analysis. Redox titration calculations, colorimetry, and evaluating uncertainty.
Spectra and synthesis. Deducing structure from NMR, infrared and mass spectra, and planning multi-step syntheses and polymer formation.

Check your knowledge

A mix of recall, calculation and application questions covering the module. Attempt them under timed conditions, then check against the solutions.

State what is meant by a ligand. (2 marks)
Explain why transition metal complexes are coloured. (2 marks)
State the value assigned to the standard hydrogen electrode. (1 mark)
State the condition on cell potential for a redox reaction to be feasible. (1 mark)
State the colour change at the end point of a manganate(VII) titration. (1 mark)
State how the Rf value is calculated in thin-layer chromatography. (1 mark)
A proton has two hydrogens on the adjacent carbon. State its splitting pattern. (1 mark)
State the two types of monomer needed to make a polyamide. (2 marks)

Sources & how we know this

CCEA GCE Chemistry specification — CCEA (2016)