Revision Notes MCQ Bank SAQ Bank Study Cards Courses Teachers Blog
OCR A Level Chemistry A – Module 6 Organic Chemistry and Analysis

6.3.1
Chromatography
and Qualitative
Analysis

These pages cover the chromatography outcomes of section 6.3.1: interpreting one-way TLC chromatograms in terms of Rf values, and interpreting gas chromatograms in terms of retention times and the amounts and proportions of the components in a mixture. The test-tube tests for functional groups (6.3.1(c)) are taught with each functional group.

Exam Paper
Paper 2 & 3
H432/02 and H432/03
Learning Outcomes
6.3.1 (a) – (b)
Chromatography outcomes
Sub-topics
2 lessons
Revision notes available
Exam Board
OCR
H432 (2015 onwards)

Revision Notes

2 revision notes, in the order the specification teaches them.

A thin-layer chromatography plate in a beaker
1

Chromatography: Thin-Layer Chromatography and Rf Values

Chromatography: stationary and mobile phases, thin-layer chromatography and Rf values.

Start revising
A gas chromatograph oven with a coiled column and peaks
2

Gas Chromatography and Retention Times

Gas chromatography: retention times, peak areas and GC-MS.

Start revising

Summary Map

Download, print and revise the key facts of this topic at a glance.

Summary map

Download, print and revise the key facts of this topic at a glance.

Illustration of a summary map: compounds joined by reaction arrows
Summary map · PDF

Chromatography and Tests Map

OCR A Level Chemistry A · 6.3.1 Chromatography and qualitative analysis

The whole section on one A4 page: the two phases, thin-layer chromatography, Rf values, gas chromatography, calibration curves and test-tube tests.

Download the map6 key ideas + a data table · A4 portrait · print ready

© 2026 Online Learning System. For personal study: printing is allowed; editing, copying and redistribution are not.

Virtual Lessons

Recorded video lessons that teach the topic step by step.

Coming soon

The Virtual Lessons for 6.3.1 Chromatography and Qualitative Analysis are being recorded.

MCQ Bank

Multiple-choice papers on this topic, marked the moment you submit.

Coming soon

The MCQ papers for 6.3.1 Chromatography and Qualitative Analysis are being written.

Open the MCQ Bank

SAQ Bank

Written, drawn and worked exam practice on this topic.

Coming soon

The exam practice papers for 6.3.1 Chromatography and Qualitative Analysis are being written.

Open the SAQ Bank

Revision Game

Match reagents to products, with your board's reagents and conditions.

Coming soon

The revision game for 6.3.1 Chromatography and Qualitative Analysis is being built.

Study Cards

Pick a deck, then turn each card to check what you remember.

Specification

Every specification point in this topic, in the exam board's own words. Rate how confident you are with each one.

Official OCR documentsSpecification (opens the OCR website in a new tab)Data sheet (opens the OCR website in a new tab)

Self-assessment · 11 points

Sign in to rate how confident you feel about each point. Your ratings are saved to your account, follow you to any device, and appear beside your KASP analytics, kept apart from your marks.

Sign in to rate yourself
0 Confident0 Getting there0 Not yet11 Not rated

6.3.1

  1. a

    interpretation of one-way TLC chromatograms in terms of Rf values

    Revise
  2. b (i)

    interpretation of gas chromatograms in terms of retention times

    Revise
  3. b (ii)

    interpretation of gas chromatograms in terms of the amounts and proportions of the components in a mixture

    Revise
  4. c (i)

    qualitative analysis of organic functional groups on a test-tube scale; processes and techniques needed to identify alkenes in an unknown compound by reaction with bromine (see also 4.1.3 f)

  5. c (ii)

    qualitative analysis of organic functional groups on a test-tube scale; processes and techniques needed to identify haloalkanes in an unknown compound by reaction with aqueous silver nitrate in ethanol (see also 4.2.2 a)

  6. c (iii)

    qualitative analysis of organic functional groups on a test-tube scale; processes and techniques needed to identify phenols in an unknown compound by weak acidity but no reaction with CO32– (see also 6.1.1 h)

  7. c (iv)

    qualitative analysis of organic functional groups on a test-tube scale; processes and techniques needed to identify carbonyl compounds in an unknown compound by reaction with 2,4-DNP (see also 6.1.2 d)

    Revise
  8. c (v)

    qualitative analysis of organic functional groups on a test-tube scale; processes and techniques needed to identify aldehydes in an unknown compound by reaction with Tollens' reagent (see also 6.1.2 e)

    Revise
  9. c (vi) a

    qualitative analysis of organic functional groups on a test-tube scale; processes and techniques needed to identify primary and secondary alcohols in an unknown compound by reaction with acidified dichromate (see also 4.2.1 c)

  10. c (vi) b

    qualitative analysis of organic functional groups on a test-tube scale; processes and techniques needed to identify aldehydes in an unknown compound by reaction with acidified dichromate (see also 6.1.2 a)

  11. c (vii)

    qualitative analysis of organic functional groups on a test-tube scale; processes and techniques needed to identify carboxylic acids in an unknown compound by reaction with CO32– (see also 6.1.3 b)

    Revise