TOPIC WISE

PYQ
(Inorganic)
 1
PERIODIC PROPERTIES
IIT JAM 2021
1. For Na+, Mg2+, Al3+ and F–, the CORRECT order of ionic radii is
(a) Al3+ > Mg2+ > Na+ > F– (b) Al3+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > F–
(c) Na+ > F– > Mg2+ > Al3+ (d) F– > Na+ > Mg2+ > Al3+
2. Two sets of quantum numbers with the same number of radial nodes are
(a) n = 3; l = 2; ml = 0 and n = 2; l = 1; ml = 0
(b) n = 3; l = 0; ml = 0 and n = 2; l = 0; ml = 0
(c) n = 3; l = 1; ml = 1 and n = 2; l = 1; ml = 0
(d) n = 3; l = 1; ml = –1 and n = 2; l = 1; ml = 0
IIT JAM 2018
3. With respect to periodic properties, the CORRECT statement is
(a) Electron affinity order is F > O > Cl
(b) First ionisation energy order is Al > Mg > K
(c) Atomic radius order is N > P > As
(d) Ionic radius order is K   Ca 2   Mg 2
4. Which of the following set(s) of quantum numbers is (are) NOT allowed?
(a) n = 3, l = 2, m1 = –1 (b) n = 4, l = 0, m1 = –1
(c) n = 3, l = 3, m1 = –3 (d) n = 5, l = 3, m1 = +2
IIT JAM 2017
5. The correct order of the boiling points of the compounds is
(a) CH4 > SiH4 > SnH4 > GeH4 (b) SiH4 > CH4 > GeH4 > SnH4
(c) SnH4 > GeH4 > CH4 > SiH4 (d) SnH4 > GeH4 > SiH4 > CH4
IIT JAM 2016
6. Among the following, the compound that has the lowest degree of ionic character is
(a) NaCl (b) MgCl2 (c) AlCl3 (d) CaCl2
IIT JAM 2015
7. The common feature(s) of Rb+, Kr and Br– is/are that they
(a) have same number of valence electrons
(b) have same magnitude of effective nuclear charge

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(c) have same magnitude of first ionization potential
(d) are isoelectronic species
IIT JAM 2014
8. The energy of an electron in a hydrogenic atom with nuclear charge Z varies as:
(a) Z (b) Z2 (c) 1/Z (d) 1/Z2
9. Among the following, the element having maximum inert pair effect is
[Given: Atomic number of Ge = 30, Pb = 82, Si = 14 and Sn = 50]
(a) Ge (b) Pb (c) Si (d) Sn
IIT JAM 2011
10. The pair of semimetals in the following is:
(a) Al, Si (b) Ge, As (c) Sb, Te (d) Ca, B
11. The correct order of acidic character is:
(a) Al2O3 > MgO > SiO2 > P4O10 (b) P4O10 > Al2O3 > MgO > SiO2
(c) P4O10 > SiO2 > Al2O3 > MgO (d) SiO2 > P4O10 > Al2O3 > MgO
IIT JAM 2010
12. Among lithium, nitrogen, carbon and oxygen, which element has the highest first ionization potential?
(a) Lithium (b) Nitrogen (c) Carbon (d) Oxygen
13. Which one of the following has the highest lattice energy?
(a) LiCl (b) CaCl2 (c) LiF (d) KCl
IIT JAM 2009
14. An electron is found in an orbital with one radial node and two angular nodes. Which orbital the electron is in?
(a) 1s (b) 2p (c) 3d (d) 4d
15. The acceptable valence shell electronic arrangement is:

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

16. Identify the correct option:

In the periodic table, on moving from left to right along a period,
(a) The atomic size of the element increases.
(b) The first ionization potential of the element decreases.
(c) The oxide of the element becomes less basic
(d) The oxide of the element becomes more basic.
IIT JAM 2008
17. The correct order of the mean bond energies in the binary hydrides is:
(a) CH4 > NH3 > H2O > HF (b) NH3 > CH4 > H2O > HF
(c) HF > H2O > CH4 > NH3 (d) HF > H2O > NH3 > CH4

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IIT JAM 2007
18. The correct order of the ionic radii is:
(a) In3+ > Sn4+ > Sr2+ > Rb+ (b) Sn4+ > In3+ > Sr2+ > Rb+
(c) Rb+ > In3+ > Sr2+ > Sn4+ (d) Rb+ > Sr2+ > In3+ > Sn4+
19. The correct valence shell electronic configuration of the element with atomic number 22 is
(a) [Ar]4s23d2 (b) [Ar]3d4 (c) [Ar]3d24s2 (d) [Ar]4s24p2
IIT JAM 2006
20. The decreasing order of the first ionization energy of the following element is
(a) He > H > Be > B (b) Be > B > H > He
(c) H > He > Be > B (d) B > Be > He > H
21. The decreasing order of ionic nature of the following compound is:
(a) LiI > NaBr > KCl > CsF (b) LiI > KCl > NaBr > CsF
(c) CsF > NaBr > KCl > LiI (d) CsF > KCl > NaBr > LiI
IIT JAM 2005
22. The compound having the highest melting point is:
(a) LiCl (b) LiF (c) LiI (d) LiBr
23. The decreasing order of the first ionization energy of the following elements is:
(a) Xe > Be > As > Al (b) Xe > As > Al > Be
(c) Xe > As > Be > Al (d) Xe > Be > Al > As

ANSWER KEY

1. (d) 2. (a) 3. (d) 4. (c) 5. (d) 6. (c) 7. (a,d)

8. (b) 9. (c) 10. (c) 11. (c) 12. (b) 13. (b) 14. (d)
15. (c) 16. (c) 17. (c) 18. (d) 19. (a) 20. (a) 21. (d)
22. (b) 23. (c)

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CHEMICAL BONDING
IIT JAM 2021
1. Hybridization of the central atoms in I3–, ClF3 and SF4, respectively, are
(a) sp3d, sp2 and dsp2 (b) sp, sp2 and sp3d
(c) sp, sp3d and dsp2 (d) sp3d, sp3d and sp3d
IIT JAM 2020
2. The geometries of the species [Br3]+, [Br3]– and [BrF3] are, respectively
(a) linear, trigonal bipyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal
(b) linear, linear and trigonal planar
(c) tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal
(d) tetrahedral, trigonal pyramidal and trigonal planar
IIT JAM 2019
3. Correct trend in the bond order is
(a) O 2  O 22  O 2 (b) O 2  O 2  O 22 (c) O 22  O 2  O 2 (d) O 2  O 2  O 22
4. The correct statement regarding the observed magnetic properties of NO, O2, B2 and C2 in their ground state is
(a) NO, B2, and C2 are paramagnetic (b) B2, O2 and NO are paramagnetic
(c) O2, C2 and NO are paramagnetic (d) O2, B2 and C2 are paramagnetic
5. The correct statement(s) about NO2, NO2+ and CO2 is/are
(a) Both NO2 and CO2 are paramagnetic.
(b) NO2 is paramagnetic and NO2+ is diamagnetic
(c) Both CO2 and NO2+ have linear geometry.
(d) CO2 and NO2+ are isoelectronic.
6. The bond order of N2+ ion is __________. (Round off to one decimal place)
IIT JAM 2018
7. Consider the following four xenon compounds: XeF2, XeF4, XeF6 and XeO3 The pair of xenon compounds
expected to have non-zero dipole moment is
(a) XeF4 and XeF6 (b) XeF2 and XeF4
(c) XeF2 and XeO3 (d) XeF6 and XeO3

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IIT JAM 2017
8. Among the following, the species having see-saw shape is/are
(a) SF4 (b) XeF4 (c) ClF4+ (d) ClF4
IIT JAM 2016
9. The correct order of bond angles in BF3, NH3, NF3 and PH3 is
(a) BF3 > NH3 > NF3 > PH3 (b) PH3 > BF3 > NF3 > NH3
(c) PF3 > PH3 > NH3 > NF3 (d) NH3 > NF3 > BF3 > PH3
10. The diatomic molecule(s) that has (have) two -type bonds is(are)
(a) B2 (b) C2 (c) N2 (d) O2
11. The bond order of Be2 molecule is ____.
12. Effective nuclear charge for 3d electron in vanadium (atomic number = 23) according to Slater’s rule is ____.
13. The bond angle in PBr3 is 101º. The percent ‘s’ character of the central atom is ____.
IIT JAM 2015
14. The intermolecular vander Waals potential is inversely proportional to r6. The corresponding force is proportional
to
1 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
r5 r6 r7 r12
15. The species having trigonal pyramidal shape is
(a) NO3– (b) CO32– (c) BrF3 (d) SO32–
IIT JAM 2014
16. The predicted geometry of TeF4 by VSEPR theory is
(a) octahedral (b) Square planar
(c) Tetrahedral (d) Trigonal bipyramidal
17. Among the following, the isoelectronic pair is
(a) NO and CO (b) O2– (superoxide anion) and NO–
(c) NO+ and CO (d) O2– (superoxide anion) and NO+
18. Among Ar, NH4Cl, HF and HCl, the strength of interatomic / intermolecular forces follows the order:
(a) NH4Cl > HF > HCl > Ar (b) HF > HCl > Ar > NH4Cl
(c) HCl > Ar > NH4Cl > HF (d) Ar > NH4Cl > HF > HCl
IIT JAM 2013
19. The most polar compound among the following is:
(a) SF4 (b) BF3 (c) XeF4 (d) SO3
20. The shape of the interhalide IF8– is __________
IIT JAM 2012
21. Molecular shape of SOCl2 is
(a) Square planar (b) Trigonal pyramidal
(c) Triangular planar (d) T-shape
22. Identify the most acidic compound from the following: CH3 – CH3, CH2 = CH2 and CH  CH, and justify your
answer. Draw overlap of the orbitals to show bonding in the most acidic compound using the concept of
hybridization.

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23. Draw the structures of NO 2 , NO2 and NO 2 . Arrange them in the increasing order of O–N–O bond angles.
IIT JAM 2011
24. Hybridization of the atoms indicated with the asterisk (*) in the following compounds sequentially, are

(a) sp2, sp2, sp3, sp2 (b) sp2, sp3, sp3, sp2 (c) sp3, sp3, sp3, sp2 (d) sp2, sp2, sp3, sp3
IIT JAM 2010
25. Which of the following has a square planar geometry according to the VSEPR theory? Atomic number: B = 5, S
= 16, Xe = 54.
(a) XeO2F2 (b) SF4 (c) BF4– (d) XeF4
26. In which of the following C–H bond has the highest ‘s’ character?
(a) Acetylene (b) Ethylene (c) Methane (d) CH radical
27. At room temperature, HCl is a gas while HF is a liquid because
(a) Of a strong bond between H and F in HF
(b) HF is less acidic as compared to HCl
(c) Of strong intermolecular H-bonding in HF
(d) HCl is less acidic as compared to HF
28. (b) Draw Lewis structures of SF4 and NO3–.
IIT JAM 2009
29. The formal charges on the nitrogen atom from left to right in the azide anion, [N = N = N]– are
(a) + 1, –1, –1 (b) –1, +1, –1 (c) –1, –1, +1 (d) –2, +1, 0
IIT JAM 2008
30. The V-shape of SO2 is due to the presence of
(a) Two -and one -bonds.
(b) Two -and two -bonds.
(c) Two -bonds and one lone pair of electrons
(d) Two - and two -bonds, and one lone pair of electrons.
31. Based on VSEPR theory draw the most stable structure of CIF3 and XeF4.
IIT JAM 2007
32. The overlap between the atomic orbitals sketched below is:

(a) Positive (b) Negative (c) Zero (d) No overlap

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33. Which one of the following species is NOT isoelectronic with CO?
(a) N2 (b) CN– (c) NO+ (d) O2+
34. The shape of CH3– ion is:
(a) trigonal planar (b) tetrahedral (c) trigonal pyramidal (d) linear
IIT JAM 2006
35. The fluoride, whose value of dipole moment is not equal to zero, is
(a) XeF4 (b) CF4 (c) SF4 (d) PF5
36. The average value of C-C bond in graphite is:
(a) 1 (b) 3/2 (c) 3/4 (d) 4/3
IIT JAM 2005
37. The geometry of SF4 is
(a) tetrahedral (b) trigonal bipyramidal
(c) square planer (d) octahedral

ANSWER KEY

1. (d) 2. (c) 3. (d) 4. (b) 5. (b.c.d) 6. (2.5) 7. (d)

8. (a) 9. (a) 10. (b,c) 11. (0) 12. (4.3) 13. (16.02)
14. (c) 15. (d) 16. (d) 17. (c) 18. (a) 19. (a)
20. (Square antiprismatic) 21. (b) 22. (*) 23. ( NO 2  NO 2  NO2 )
24. (a) 25. (d) 26. (a) 27. (c) 28. (*) 29. (b) 30. (c)
31. (*) 32. (a) 33. (d) 34. (c) 35. (c) 36. (d) 37. (b)

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HINTS & SOLUTION

22. (a) CH  CH is the most acidic compound among ethane and ethylene.
CH3CH3  CH 3CH 3  H 
CH 2  CH 2  CH 2  CH  H 
CH  CH  CH  C  H 
CH3CH  
CH 2 CH < HC  C 
2
  
sp3 hybridized  sp 2 hybridized  sp hybridized 
 25% s character  33% s scaracter  50% s character 

   
Increasing % s-character increasing stability

• The acidity of H–A increases as the percent S-character of the A– increases.

• The higher the percent s-character of the hybrid orbital, the closer the lone pair is held to the nucleus, and the
more stable the conjugate base.
Acetylene  H  C  C  H

28. SF4

O O O
NO3–: O Trigonal planar.
N O N O N
O O O

31.

trigonal bypyramidal geometry

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COORDINATION COMPOUNDS
(IIT JAM 2005)
1. Among the following complexes,
(i) [Ru(bipyridyl)3]+
(ii) [Cr(EDTA)]–
(iii) trans-[CrCl2(oxalate)2]3– (iv) cis-[CrCl2(oxalate)2]3–
the ones that show chirality are
(a) (i), (ii), (iv) (b) (i), (ii), (iii) (c) (ii), (iii), (iv) (d) (i), (iii), (iv)
2. The crystal field stabilization energy of high spin d7 octahedral complex is
4 4 9 9
(a)  0  2P (b)  0  3P (c)  0  2P (d)  0  3P
5 5 5 5
3. (A) Between [Cu(H2O)6]2+ and [Co(H2O)6]2+, which one has more distorted structure and why?
(B) Calculate CFSE (in units of 0) and spin only magnetic moment for the following complexes:

(i) [CoF6]3– (ii) [Fe(CN)6]3– (iii) [NiCl4]2–

4. The complex with the most intense colour among the following is
(a) [FeF6]3– (b) [MnCl4]2– (c) [CoCl4]2– (d) [CoF6]3–
5. The electronic configuration that have orbital angular momentum contribution in an octahedral environment are
(a) d1 and high spin d4 (b) d1 and d2
(c) d2 and high spin d6 (d) high spin d4 and high spin d6
(IIT JAM 2006)
6. The octahedral crystal field splitting (0) of d orbital energies of the following metal ions decreases in the order
(a) Co2+ > Co3+ > Rh3+ (b) Rh3+ > Co3+ > Co2+
(c) Rh3+ > Co2+ > Co3+ (d) Co3+ > Co2+ > Rh3+
7. The optical absorption spectrum of [Ti(H2O)6]3+ has its absorption maximum at 20300 cm–1. The magnitude of
crystal field stabilization energy in cm–1 is
(a) 8120 (b) 16240 (c) 24360 (d) 50750
8. Write the structure of possible isomers of [CoCl2(en)2]Cl.
9. The hydration enthalpies of divalent metal ions of ten elements from calcium to zinc are plotted against their
atomic numbers. Why do the hydration enthalpies of only three elements, Ca, Mn and Zn fall on a straight line,
whereas values for other metal ions deviate from this line?
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(IIT JAM 2007)

10. The ligand with only sigma () bonding character is
(a) CN– (b) CH3– (c) CO (d) NO
11. [Cr(H2O)6]3+ gave an absorption at 208 kJ/mol which corresponds to 0. Calculate the crystal field stabilisation
energy of this complex in kJ/mol.
(IIT JAM 2008)
12. (a) For the complexes [FeF6]3– and [Fe(CN)6]3–.
(i) Show the hybridization using VB(valence bond) theory
(ii) Calculate the CFSE (crystal field stabilization energy)
(b) Identify the dark blue complex formed when [Fe(CN)6]3– is treated with FeSO4 and account for the origin of
its colour.
13. For tetrahedral complexes, which always exhibit high spin states, the maximum CFSE (crystal field stabilization
energy) is:
(a) –8 Dq (b) –12 Dq (c) –16 Dq (d) –20Dq
14. In general, magnetic moment of paramagnetic complexes varies with temperature as
(a) T2 (b) T (c) T–2 (d) T–1
(IIT JAM 2009)
15. (A) Provide IUPAC names for the following complexes:
(i) [CoCl(NH3)5] (ii) K2[PdCl4]
(B) The magnetic moment of [Mn(H2O)6] (NO3)2 is approximately 6.0 µB. Find the number of unpaired electrons,
show crystal field splitting and calculate the CFSE.
(IIT JAM 2010)
16. (a) Draw the crystal field splitting diagram with appropriate labels for [NiCl4]2–. Determine the spin only
magnetic moment and the crystal field stabilization energy (CFSE) for this complex. (Given : Atomic number of
Ni = 28)
17. Which one of the following configuration will show Jahn-Teller distortion in an octahedral field?
(a) high spin d8 (b) high spin d4 (c) high spin d5 (d) low spin d6

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18. The colour of potassium dichromate is due to
(a) d-d transition (b) transition in K+ ion
(c) Ligand-to-metal charge transfer (d) metal-to-ligand charge transfer
(IIT JAM 2010)
19. Addition of an aqueous solution of Fe(II) to potassium hexacyanochromate (III) produces a brick-red coloured
complex, which turn dark green at 100ºC. The dark green complexes is
(a) Fe4[Cr(CN)6]3 (b) KFe[Cr(CN)6] (c) KCr[Fe(CN)6] (d) Fe[Cr(CN)6]
20. The oxide that has the inverse spinel structure is
(a) FeCr2O4 (b) MnCr2O4 (c) CoAl2O4 (d) CoFe2O4
21. The magnetic moment of [Fe(phen)2(NCS)2] varies with temperature. The magnetic moments at 200 K and 50
K are 4.9 BM and 0 BM, respectively. Write the d-electron configurations of Fe at both temperatures and give
reason for the observed change in the magnetic moment. (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline)
(IIT JAM 2012)
22. A coordination compound is composed of one Co(III), one chloride, one sulphate and four molecules of ammonia.
The aqueous solution of the compound gives no precipitate when combined with aqueous BaCl2, while a white
precipitate is formed with aqueous AgNO3 solution. Draw its structure and explain the observations with chemical
equations.
23. The spin-only magnetic moments of K3[Fe(oxalate)3] and K3[Ru(oxalate)3] are 5.91 µB and 1.73 µB, respectively.
Write down their ligand field electronic configurations. Justify your answer. Atomic number of Fe and Ru are 26
and 44 respectively.
24. The tetrachloro complexes of Ni(II) and Pd(II) respectively, are (atomic numbers of Ni and Pd are 28 and 46
respectively)
(a) diamagnetic and diamagnetic (b) paramagnetic and paramagnetic
(c) diamagnetic and paramagnetic (d) paramagnetic and diamagnetic
25. Show with labels the splitting of d-orbitals in an octahedral ligand field. Calculate the CFSE of (i) high spin d6 and
(ii) low spin d6 metal ions in octahedral field.
(IIT JAM 2013)
26. CaO, VO and MnO have octahedral coordination of the metal ions in a rock-salt structure. The correct increasing
order of their lattice enthalpies is __________
27. Assume the complex [Ni(PPh3)2(SCN)2] is paramagnetic. The analogous complex of Pd(II) is diamagnetic.
Draw all the probable isomers for both the complexes considering SCN– is an ambidentate ligand.
(IIT JAM 2014)
28. The correct order of crystal field strength is : (Given: en = enthylenediamine)
(a) Cl– < H2O < en < (5 – C5H5)– (b) H2O < Cl– < (5 – C5H5)– < en
(c) H2O < (5 – C5H5)– < en < Cl– (d) en < Cl– < H2O < (5 – C5H5)–
29. Using crystal field theory (CFT), for the [Co(NH3)6]3+ ion
(a) Draw the d-orbital splitting including their orbital labels (designations) and show their electron occupancy.
(b) Calculate the crystal field stabilization energy (ignore pairing energy) and spin-only magnetic moment values.

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(Given: atomic number of Co = 27).
30. The electronic transitions responsible for the colour of K2Cr2O7 and porphyrin in their solid state respectively are:
(a) d  d;    (b) M  L charge transfer;   
(c) L  M charge transfer;    (d) L  M charge transfer; d  d
(IIT JAM 2015)
31. A filter paper moistened with cadmium acetate solution turns yellow upon exposure to H 2S. The transition
responsible for the yellow colour is
(a) d-d (b) metal to ligand charge transfer
(c) ligand to metal charge transfer (d) –*
32. The first row transition metal complexes having tetrahedral geometry are high-spin due to
(a) t > P (b) t < P (c) t = P (d) t > 0
33. Given that the crystal field stabilization energy for [Co(H2O)6]2+ is 7360 cm–1, the calculated value of 0 in kJ
mol–1 is ________.
34. The normal spinel among the following mixed metal-oxides is
(a) CoFe2O4 (b) NiFe2O4 (c) CuFe2O4 (d) ZnFe2O4
35. The ground state term for a free ion with 3d7 configuration is
(a) 4F3/2 (b) 4F9/2 (c) 4F1/2 (d) 4F5/2
36. Given that the expected spin-only magnetic moment for (Et4N)2[NiCl4] is 2.83 µB, the total number of unpaired
electrons in this complex is ________.
37. The complex that is expected to show orbital contribution to the overall magnetic moment is
(a) [Cr(CN)6]3– (b) [Co(H2O)6]2+ (c) [Ni(en)3]2+ (d) [Cu(NH3)6]2+
(IIT JAM 2016)
38. The total number of isomers possible for the molecule [Co(NH3)4Cl(NO2)]+ is ______.
39. The complexes [Pt(CN)4]2– and [NiCl4]2–, respectively are
(a) paramagnetic, paramagnetic (b) diamagnetic, diamagnetic
(c) paramagnetic, diamagnetic (d) diamagnetic, paramagnetic
40. The crystal field stabilization energy (CFSE) in [Mn(H2O)6]2+ is
(a) 0 0 (b) 2.0 0 – 2P(c) 0.4 0 – 2P (d) 2.0 0
41. The True Statement about [Cu(H2O)6]2+ is
(a) All Cu–O bond lengths are equal
(b) One Cu–O bond length is shorter than the remaining five
(c) Three Cu–O bond lengths are shorter than the remaining three
(d) Four Cu–O bond lengths are shorter than the remaining two
42. The ion(s) that exhibit only charge transfer band in the absorption spectra (UV-visible region) is(are)
(a) [Cr(C2O4)3]3– (b) [CrO4]2– (c) [ReO4]– (d) [NiO2]2–

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43. The red colour of ruby is due to
(a) d-d transition of Cr3+ ion in Cr2O3 lattice (b) d-d transition of Cr3+ ion in Al2O3 lattice
(c) ligand to metal charge transfer transition (d) metal to metal charge transfer transition
(IIT JAM 2017)
44. Nitrosyl ligand binds to d-metal atoms in linear and bent fashion and behaves, respectively, as
(a) NO+ and NO+ (b) NO+ and NO– (d) NO– and NO– (d) NO– and NO+
45. The number of unpaired electron(s) in K2NiF6 is _______.
46. The correct order of enthalpy of hydration for the transition metal ions is
(a) Cr2+ > Mn2+ > Co2+ > Ni2+ (b) Ni2+ > Co2+ > Mn2+ > Cr2+
(c) Ni2+ > Co2+ > Cr2+ > Mn2+ (d) Cr2+ > Mn2+ > Ni2+ > Co2+
47. The correct order of wavelength of absorption (max) of the Cr-complexes is (en = ethylenediamine)
(a) [CrF6]3– > [Cr(H2O)6]3+ > [Cr(en)3]3+ > [Cr(CN)6]3–
(b) [Cr(H2O)6]3+ > [CrF6]3– >[Cr(en)3]3+ > [Cr(CN)6]3–
(c) [Cr(CN)6]3– > [Cr(en)3]3+ > [Cr(H2O)6]3+ > [CrF6]3–
(d) [Cr(en)3]3+ > [Cr(CN)6]3– > [Cr(H2O)6]3+ > [CrF6]3–
48. Jahn-Teller distortion is/are observed in octahedral complexes with d-electron configuration of
(a) d5-high spin (b) d5-low spin (c) d6-high spin (d) d6-low spin
(IIT JAM 2018)
49. The number of possible isomers for  Pt  py  NH 3  BrCl  is _______ (py is pyridine)
50. The correct order of 0 (the octahedral crystal field splitting of d orbitals) values for the following anionic metal
complexes is
(a) [Ir(CN) 6 ]3  [Rh(CN)6 ]3  [RhI6 ]3  [CoI6 ]3
(b) [CoI6 ]3  [RhI6 ]3  [Rh(CN)6 ]3  [Ir(CN) 6 ]3
(c) [CoI6 ]3  [Rh(CN)6 ]3  [RhI6 ]3  [Ir(CN)6 ]3
(d) [Ir(CN) 6 ]3  [CoI6 ]3  [Rh(CN)6 ]3  [RhI6 ]3
3
51. The magnitude of crystal field stabilization energy (CFSE) of octahedral Ti  H 2 O 6  complex is 7680 cm–1.
The wavelength at the maximum absorption   max  of this complex is ______ nm (rounded up to the nearest
integer).
(IIT JAM 2019)
52. The observed magnetic moments of octahedral Mn3+, Fe3+ and Co3+ complexes are 4.95, 6.06 and 0.00 BM,
respectively. The correct option for the electronic configuration of Mn 3+, Fe3+ and Co3+ metal ions in these
complexes, respectively, is
(a) t 42g eg0 , t 2g
2 2 4 2
eg and t 2g eg (b) t 32g e1g , t 52g eg0 and t 62g e0g
(c) t 32g e1g , t 32g eg2 and t 62g eg0 (d) t 32g e1g , t 32g eg2 and t 2g
4 2
eg

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53. The correct order of wavelength (max) of the halide to metal charge-transfer band of [Co(NH3)Cl]2+ (I),
[Co(NH3)5Br]2+ (II) and [Co(NH3)5I]2+ (III), is
(a) III < II < I (b) I < II < III (c) II < III < I (d) I < III < II
54. The correct trend in the rate of substitution of Cl– by pyridine in the following complexes is
Et 3P Cl Et 3P Cl Et 3P Cl Et3P Cl
Pt Pt Pt Pt
(I) (II) (III) (IV)
H3C PEt3 C6H5 PEt3 Cl PEt3 H PEt3
(a) III < II < I < IV (b) II < III < I < IV (c) I < II < III < IV (d) III < II < IV < I
(IIT JAM 2020)
55. The total number of all possible isomers of [Co(H2NCH2CH2NH2)2Cl2]+ and [Co(H2NCH2CH2NH2)3]3+
56. The d – orbitals involved in the hybridization to form square planar and trigonal bipyramidal geometries are,
respectively
(d) d z2 and d z2 (b) d yz and d z2 (c) d x 2  y2 and d z2 (d) d x 2  y2 and d yz
57. The transition metal complexe(s) with zero magnetic moment, zero dipole moment and CFSE of 2.4 0 is (are)
(a) [Mn(CO)5(CH3)] (b) [trans - Ni(ethylene diamine)2Cl2]
(c) [trans-Co(CN)4(H2O)2]– (d) [trans - Fe(CN)4Cl2]4–
58. The number of d – d transition(s) expected for the complex [Cu(NH3)2(H2O)4]2+ is
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4
(IIT JAM 2021)
59. Reaction of [Ni(CN)4]2– with metallic potassium in liquid ammonia at –33ºC yields complex E. The geometry and
magnetic behavior of E, respectively, are
(a) Octahedral and paramagnetic (b) Tetrahedral and diamagnetic
(c) Square pyramidal and paramagnetic (d) Square planar and diamagnetic
60. If the crystal field splitting energy of [Co(NH3)4]2+ is 5900 cm–1, then the magnitude of its crystal field stabilization
energy, in kJ mol–1 (rounded off to one decimal place), is __________.
61. The complex (es) that show (s) Jahn – Teller distortion is(are)
(a) [Co(CN)5(H2O)]3– (b) [NiF6]2–
(c) [Co(en)2F2]+ (d) [Mn(CNMe)6]2+
62. According to the crystal field theory, d–d transition observed in [Ti(H2O)6]3+ is
(a) Laporte forbidden and spin allowed (b) Laporte allowed and spin forbidden
(c) Laporte forbidden and spin forbidden (d) Laporte allowed and spin allowed
63. The total number of microstates possible for a d8 electronic configuration is_______.
64. Spin-only magnetic moments (in BM) of [NiCl2(PPh3)2] and [Mn(NCS)6]4–, respectively, are

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(a) 2.83 and 5.92 (b) 0.00 and 5.92 (c) 2.83 and 1.89 (d) 0.00 and 1.89
65. The total number of optically active isomers of dichloridobis (glycinato)cobaltate(III) ion is ______.
(IIT JAM 2022)
66. The ground state and the maximum number of spin-allowed electronic transitions possible in a Co2+ tetrahedral
complex, respectively, are
(a) 4A2 and 3 (b) 4T1 and 2 (c) 4A2 and 2 (d) 4T1 and 3
67. The number of unpaired electrons in [Co(H2O)6]2+ is _______.
68. Total degeneracy (number of microstates) for a Ti3+ ion in spherical symmetry is ______.

ANSWERS KEY
1. (a) 2. (a) 3. (*) 4. (c) 5. (b,c) 6. (b) 7. (a)
8. (3) 9. (*) 10. (b) 11. (-249.5) 12. (a) 13. (b)
14. (d) 15. (*) 16. (a) 17. (b) 18. (c) 19. (c) 20. (d)
21. (*) 22. (*) 23. (*) 24. (d) 25. (*) 26. (*)
27. (*) 28. (a) 29. (0) 30. (c) 31. (c) 32. (b) 33. (110.75)
34. (d) 35. (b) 36. (2) 37. (b) 38. (4) 39. (d) 40. (a)
41. (d) 42 (b,c) 43. (b) 44. (b) 45. (0) 46. (c) 47. (a)
48. (b,c) 49. (3) 50. (b) 51. (1nm) 52. (c) 53. (b) 54. (a)
55. (5) 56. (c) 57. (c,d) 58. (b) 59. (b) 60. (– 84.58)
61. (a,d) 62. (a) 63. (45) 64. (a) 65. (6) 66. (3) 67. (3)
68. (10)
Check Hints solution (*)

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HINTS & SOLUTION

3. (A) [Cu(H2O)6]2+ – more distorted
Magnitude of JTD  eg (unsymmetry) > t2g (unsymmetry)
 More electron density, more distortion.

(B) (I) [CoF6]3–  d6 CFSE  [(–0.4 × 4) + (2 × 0.6)] o  – 0.4 0

M.M.  4(4  2)  24 BM

(II) [Fe(CN)6]3–  d5 Low spin CFSE  (–0.4 × 5)0 + 2P = –2.0 0 + 2P

M.M.  1(1  2)  3 BM
(III) [NiCl4]2– d8

tetrahedral CFSE  [(–0.6 × 4) + (4 × 0.4)]t = –0.8 t

M.M.  2(2  2)  8 BM
9. Hydration of metal ions (M+2) produces an enthalpy change that is commensurate with the size, charge of the ion
and crystal field stabilisation energy (CFSE).
So, Hhydration shows non-linear variation if C.F.S.E.  0. If CFSE = 0 (i.e. for Ca, Mn and Zn which has d0,
d5 and d10 configuration respectively), then it lies on the straight line.

15. (A) (I) Pentamminechlorocobalt (I)

(II) Potassium tetrachloropalladate (II)
(B) [Mn(H2O)6](NO3)2

d5  high spin system 5 unpaired electron

M.M.  5(5  2)  35 CFSE = [–3 × 0.4 + 2 × 0.6] 0 = 0

= ~ 6 B.M.
21. [Fe(phen)2(NCS)2]
Fe2+  d6

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when temperature is high 200 K When temperature is low,

High spin Low spin

M.M.  4(4  2)  4.9 BM M.M. = 0

22. Gives ppt. with AgNO3 means Cl is outside the coordination sphere
 [Co(NH3 )4 (SO 4 )]Cl

[Co(NH 3 ) 4 (SO 4 )]Cl  AgNO3  [Co(NH 3 ) 4 (SO 4 )]NO3  AgCl 

23. K3[Fe(oxalate)3] K3[Ru(oxalate)3]
 
Weak field ligand In 4d series, almost all are strong field ligands.
Fe3+ Ru3+

eg2 d5 system

t 32g 5 unpair electron one pair electron

M.M.  5(5  2)  35 M.M.  1(1  2)  3

t 32g eg2 t 52g e0g

25.
eg
0.6 0
e.s.
0.4 0
t2g

g.s.

d6 high spin CFSE = 4 × (–0.4 0) + 2 × 0.6 0

= – 1.6 0 + 1.2 0
 –0.4 0

d6 low spin CFSE = 6 × (–0.4 0) + 2 P P = pairing energy

= –2.4 0 + 2P
26. CaO < MnO < VO
z z
Because lattice energy  r
0
27. [Ni(PPh3)2(SCN)2]  Paramagnetic, therefore, tetrahedral
Isomers:

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[Pd(PPh3)2(SCN)2]  Diamagnetic, therefore, square planar

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 4
ORGANOMETALLICS
IIT JAM 2008
1. Metal-carbon multiple bonds in metal carbonyl are preferably identified from the stretching frequency of
(a) Carbon-oxygen bond (b) Metal-carbon bond
(c) Metal-oxygen bond (d) Carbon-carbon bond
IIT JAM 2009
2. Highly pure nickel metal can be prepared from its sulphide ore via Ni(CO) 4. Write the chemical equations
involved.
IIT JAM 2010
3. B2H6 and B4H10, respectively, are examples of
(a) Nido and arachno boranes (b) Nido and closo boranes
(c) Closo and arachno boranes (d) Nido boranes
IIT JAM 2012
4. Schematically represents orbital overlaps in metal carbonyls. Show the correct signs of the lobes.
IIT JAM 2013
5. The Correct order of CO vibrational stretching frequency in the following complexes is
(I) (PF3)3Mo(CO)3 (II) (PCl3)3Mo(CO)3 (III) {P(OMe)3}3Mo(CO)3
(a) I < II < III (b) III < II < I (c) II < I < III (d) III < I < II
IIT JAM 2014
6. The carbonyl stretching frequency (C = O) is highest for:
O O O O
(a) (b) (c) (d)
H3C OH H3C H H3C Cl H3C NH2
7. Among the following, the isoelectronic pair is
(a) NO and CO (b) O2– (superoxide anion) and NO–
(c) NO+ and CO (d) O2– (superoxide anion) and NO+
8. The correct order of M–C(M = Ti, V, Cr and Mn) bond stretching frequency is:
(Given: Atomic number of Ti = 22, V = 23, Cr = 24 and Mn = 25)
(a) [V(CO)6]– < Cr(CO)6 < [Mn(CO)6]+ < [Ti(CO)6]2–
(b) [Ti(CO)6]2– < [V(CO)6]– < Cr(CO)6 < [Mn(CO)6]+

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(c) [Mn(CO)6]+ < Cr(CO)6 < [V(CO)6]– < [Ti(CO)6]2–

(d) [Mn(CO)6]+ < [V(CO)6]– < Cr(CO)6 < [Ti(CO)6]2–
9. For the following reactions, the metal complexes X and Y are
CO(g)
(i) Ni(s) 
1 atm / 25ºC
 X (ii) FeCl 
2
2NaC5H5
Y
(a) X = Ni(CO)4; Y = Fe(5-C5H5)2 (b) X = Ni(CO)4; Y = Fe(1-C5H5)2
(c) X = Ni(CO)5; Y = Fe(5-C5H5)2 (d) X = Ni(CO)6; Y = Fe(1-C5H5)2
IIT JAM 2015
10. Which of the following statement(s) is/are true about the transition metal-alkene complexes?
(a) Back-bonding weakens the double bond of the alkene
(b) -Bonding and back bonding synergistically strengthen metal-alkene interaction
(c) Electron-withdrawing substituents on alkene reduce back-bonding
(d) -acidic co-ligands on metal strengthen back-bonding
IIT JAM 2016
11. The value of ‘x’ in [Cu(CO)x]+ such that it obeys the 18 electron rule is
(a) 6 (b) 5 (c) 4 (d) 3
12. The correct order of NO (cm–1) in the following compound is
(a) NO+ > NO > [NiCp(NO)] > [Cr(Cp)2(NO)4]
(b) [Cr(Cp)2(NO)4] > [NiCp(NO)] > NO+ > NO
(c) NO+ > [Cr(Cp)2(NO)4] > NO > [NiCp(NO)]
(d) [NiCp(NO)] > NO > [Cr(Cp)2(NO)4] > NO+
IIT JAM 2017
13. The homogeneous catalyst used in water-gas shift reaction is
(a) PdCl2 (b) Cr2O3 (c) [RhCl(PPh3)3] (d) [RuCl2(bipyridyl)2]
14. Nitrosyl ligand binds to d-metal atoms in linear and bent fashion and behaves, respectively, as
(a) NO+ and NO+ (b) NO+ and NO– (d) NO– and NO– (d) NO– and NO+
IIT JAM 2018
15. Among the following metal carbonyl species, the one with the highest metal-carbon back bonding is
(c) Cr  CO 6
2  
(a)  Ti  CO 6  (b)  V  CO 6  (d)  Mn  CO 6 
16. The correct statement(s) about carbene is(are)
(a) Carbene is a neutral species
(b) Carbene is an intermediate in the Curtius rearrangement
(c) Carbene can insert into both  and -bonds
(d) Carbene is generated from amines on reaction with nitrous acid

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IIT JAM 2019
17. The correct option having one complex from each of the following pairs which is more reactive towards the
oxidative addition reaction by hydrogen molecule is
Pair 1: IrCl(PMe3)3 (I) and IrCl(CO)(PMe3)2 (II)
Pair 2: IrCl(CO)(PPh3)2 (III) and IrCl3(PPh3) (IV)
(a) (I) and (III) (b) (I) and (IV) (c) (II) and (III) (d) (II) and (IV)
18. The value of n for the complex [Fe(CO)4(SiMe3)]n satisfying the 18-electron rule is ________.
19. Number of vertices in an icosahedral closo-borane is _________.
IIT JAM 2020
20. The order of the M – C bond strength in the following species is (Atomic number for Cr = 24, Mn = 25, Ti = 22,
Co = 27)
[Cr(CO)6] [Mn(CO)6]+ [Ti(CO)6]2– [Co(CO)4]–
I II III IV
(a) II > I > IV > III (b) I > III > II > IV (c) III > IV > I > II (d) III > I > II > IV
21. The cage – type structure adopted by boron hydride [B5H11], is
(a) closo (b) nido (d) hypo (d) arachno
22. The complex which does NOT obey 18 – electron rule is
(atomic number for Mn = 25, Fe = 26, Co = 27, Ru = 44)
(a) [Co2(CO)8] (b) [Fe(CO)4]2–
(c) [HMn(CO)5] (d) [(5–C5H5)RuCl(CO)(PPh2)]
23. The organometallic reagent(s) among the following is(are)
(a) Lithium divinylcuprate (b) Lithium diisopropylamide
(c) Potassium tert - butoxide (d) Isopropyl magnesiumiodide
IIT JAM 2021
24. The CORRECT order of pKa for the compounds I to IV in water at 298 K is
HCo  CO 4 HCo  CO 3  PPh 3  
HCo  CO 3 P  OPh 3  HCo  CO 2  PPh 3 2
I II III IV
(a) I > III > II > IV (b) IV > II > III > I (c) IV > III > II > I (d) I > II > III > IV
25. The complex that does NOT obey the 18-electron rule is
(Given: Atomic numbers of Ti, Mn, Ta and Ir are 22, 25, 73 and 77, respectively)
(a) [(5-C5H5)Ti(CO)4]– (b) [TaCl3(PEt3)2(CHCMe3)]
(c) [Mn(SnPh3)2(CO)4]– (d) [(5-C5H5)Ir(CH2)(PMe3)]
26. The decreasing order of C=C bond length in the following complexes is
[Cl3Pt(CH2=CH2)]– [Cl3Pt(C(CN)2=C(CN)2)]– [Cl3Pt(CF2=CH2)]– [Cl3Pt(CF2=CF2)]–
I II III IV
(a) II > III > IV > I (b) IV > II > III > I (c) II > IV > III > I (d) IV > II > I > III

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27. The CORRECT statement(s) about the species is (are)
(a) CpMo(CO)3 and CpW(CO)3 are isoelectronic (wher Cp is cyclopentadienyl)
(b) BH and CH are isolobal and isoelectronic
(c) CH3 and Mn(CO)5 are isolobal
(d) CH2– and NH2 are isolobal and isoelectronic
IIT JAM 2022
28. The structure types of B10H102– and B10H14 , respectively, are
(a) closo and nido (b) nido and arachno
(c) nido and closo (d) closo and arachno
29. The order of increasing CO stretching frequencies in [Co(CO)4]–, [Cu(CO)4]+, [Fe(CO)4]2– and [Ni(CO)4] is
(a) [Cu(CO)4]+ < [Ni(CO)4] < [Co(CO)4]– < [Fe(CO)4]2–
(b) [Fe(CO)4]2– < [Co(CO)4]– < [Ni(CO)4] < [Cu(CO)4]+
(c) [Co(CO)4]– < [Fe(CO)4]2– < [Cu(CO)4]+ < [Ni(CO)4]
(d) [Ni(CO)4] < [Cu(CO)4]+ < [Co(CO)4]– < [Fe(CO)4]2–
30. The number of CO stretching bands in the infrared spectrum of Fe(CO)5 is
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4
31. The reaction
PPh3 H
H H Me PPh3
Rh Rh
Ph3P Cl PPh3
Cl
Me
involve(s)
(a) migratory insertion (b) change in electron count of Rh from 18 to 16
(c) oxidative addition (d) change in electron count of Rh from 16 to 18

ANSWER KEY
1. (a) 2. (*) 3. (a) 4. (*) 5. (b) 6. (c) 7. (c)
8. (c) 9. (a) 10. (a,b) 11. (c) 12. (a) 13. (d) 14. (b)
15. (a) 16. (a,c) 17. (a) 18. (-1) 19. (12) 20. (c) 21. (d)
22. (d) 23. (a,d) 24. (d) 25. (b) 26. (c) 27. (a,c,d) 28. (a)
29. (b) 30. (b) 31. (a,b)

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HINTS & SOLUTION

2. Sulfide ore in first roasted in air to give NiO.
2NiS + 3O2  2NiO + 2SO2
NiO is then reduced by water gas.
NiO + H2  Ni + H2O
To refine Ni, it is heated to about 50–60ºC in a steam of CO gas. Nickel passes off as its volatile carbonyl,
Ni(CO)4, this volatile product is passed over nickel shot at about 200ºC. Nickel is deposited by Ni(CO)4 and is
almost pure.
5060ºC
Ni(s)  4CO  Ni(CO) 4 (g)
Ni, 200ºC
Ni(CO) 4  Ni  4CO(g)
4. Orbital overlaps in metal carbonyls:

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 5
MAIN GROUP ELEMENTS
IIT JAM 2005
1. Arrange BF3, BCl3 and BBr3 in the increasing order of Lewis acidity and justify.
IIT JAM 2006
2. (a) Write the steps involved in the production of pure elemental silicon from silica.
(b) Both the products A and B in the following reactions, contain boron and nitrogen. Identify A and B
C H Cl LiAlH
3NH 4Cl  3BCl3 
6 5  A 
heat THF
4 B

IIT JAM 2007

3. Which of the following reactions does not give H3PO4?
(a) Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2  H 2SO 4 
 (b) P4O6  H 2 O 

(c) PCl5  H 2O 
 (d) P4S10  H 2O 

4. (a) Consider the ethers H3SiOSiH3 and H3COCH3.
(i) Which ether has more lewis base character?
(ii) Which angle [Si-O-Si and C-O-C] is greater? Justify your answer.
(b) Starting from SiO2, show how the following polymer is prepared industrially?

5. (a) Al2Cl6 and Al2Me6 are dimeric in gas phase. Draw their structures. Which compound has more Lewis acid
character? Explain.
(b) Arrange the halides SnCl2, PbCl2, SiCl2 in increasing order of their stability. Give reasons for your answer.
IIT JAM 2008
6. The compound having an S-S single bond is
(a) H2S2O3 (b) H2S2O4 (c) H2S2O7 (d) H2S2O8
IIT JAM 2009
7. Among the following, the incorrect statement is
(a) Diamond and graphite are two allotrops of carbon
(b) In diamond, each carbon is sp3 hybridized.
(c) In graphite, each carbon is sp2 hybridized

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(d) Graphite shows high electrical conductivity in one direction only
8. The number of P = O bonds present in the tetrabasic acid H 4P2O7 is:
(a) Three (b) Two (c) One (d) None
9. Calgon used for water softening is Na2[Na4(PO3)6] and it is prepared by heating microcosmic salt. The microcosmic
salt is:
(a) Na2HPO3 (b) NaH2PO4 (c) Na2HPO4 (d) Na(NH4)HPO4
IIT JAM 2011
10. In the structure of B4O5 (OH)42–
(a) All four B atoms are trigonal planar
(b) One B atom is tetrahedral and the other three are trigonal planar
(c) Three B atoms are tetrahedral and one is trigonal planar.
(d) Two B atoms are tetrahedral and the other two are trigonal planar
11. Hydrolysis of (CH3)2 SiCl2 and CH3SiCl3 leads to
(a) Linear chain and cross-linked silicones, respectively
(b) Cross-linked and linear chain silicones, respectively
(c) Linear chain silicones only (d) Cross-linked silicones only
12. (a) In the following reactions, identify X, Y and Z.
boiling water
Na 2SO3  S  X(colorless complex)
excess X
AgBr  Y(soluble complex)
boiling water
X  Cl2  H 2O  Z  HCl
(b) Draw the structure of S4N4H4 and N4S4F4.
IIT JAM 2012
13. Number of three-centre two-electron (3e-2e) bonds present in diborane is:
(a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6 (d) 8
IIT JAM 2013
14. Which one of the following order of the carbonates is Correct for their decomposition temperature?
(a) BaCO3 > CaCO3 > SrCO3 > MgCO3 (b) BaCO3 > SrCO3 > CaCO3 > MgCO3
(c) MgCO3 > CaCO3 > SrCO3 > BaCO3 (d) MgCO3 > CaCO3 > BaCO3 > SrCO3
IIT JAM 2015
15. The species responsible for the superacidity of SbF5-HSO3F system is
(a) HSO3F (b) SbF5 (c) HF (d) H2SO3F+
IIT JAM 2016
16. The final products in the reaction of BF3 with water are
(a) B(OH)3 and OF2 (b) H3BO3 and HBF4
(c) B2O3 and HBF4 (d) B2H6 and HF
17. The number of P-H bonds in hypophosphorus acid is _____.
IIT JAM 2017
18. The correct order of the boiling points of the compounds is
(a) CH4 > SiH4 > SnH4 > GeH4 (b) SiH4 > CH4 > GeH4 > SnH4

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(c) SnH4 > GeH4 > CH4 > SiH4 (d) SnH4 > GeH4 > SiH4 > CH4
19. The number of S-S bond(s) in tetrathionate ion is _____
20. The number of isomeric structures of di-substituted borazine (B3N3H4X2) is ______
IIT JAM 2018
21. The CORRECT order of melting points of group 15 trifluorides is
(a) PF3  AsF3  SbF3  BiF3 (b) BiF3  SbF3  PF3  AsF3
(c) PF3  SbF3  AsF3  BiF3 (d) BiF3  AsF3  SbF3  PF3
22. On hydrolysis, aluminium carbide produces
(a) CH4 (b) C2H6 (c) C2H4 (d) C2H2
IIT JAM 2019
23. Among the following compounds, the one having the lowest boiling point is
(a) SnCl4 (b) GeCl4 (c) SiCl4 (d) CCl4
24. Among the following, the correct statement is
(a) The density follows the order, Cs > Rb > Li > Na.
(b) The solubility in water follows the order, Cs 2CO3 > K2CO3 > Na2CO3 > Li2CO3.
(c) The first ionization potential follows the order, Li > K > Na > Cs.
(d) The melting point follows the order, MgCl2 > BeCl2 > CaCl2 > SrCl2.
25. In the structure of P4O10, the number of P-O-P bond(s) is _______.
IIT JAM 2020
26. Treatment of formic acid with concentrated sulfuric acid gives
(a) CO+H2O (b) CO2 + H2 (c) HCHO + ½ O2 (d) no product (no reaction)
27. One of the products of the hydrolysis of calcium phosphide at 25ºC is
(a) phosphine (b) phosophoric acid
(c) phosphorus pentoxide (d) white phosphorus
28. The coordination number of aluminium ion and the number of bridging hydrogen atoms in [Al(BH4)4]– are respec-
tively,
(a) 8 and 8 (b) 6 and 6 (c) 4 and 6 (d) 8 and 12
29. The solid state structure of HF is
F F F

(a) H F H F H F H F (b) H H H H H
F F
H H H
F F F F F
(c) F F F F F (d) H H H H H
H H
30. The soft Lewis base(s) is(are)
(a) I– (b) CO (c) H– (d) CH3NC
31. The value of ‘n’ in [PnO18]6– is______
IIT JAM 2021
32. Reaction of BCl3 with NH4Cl at 140ºC produces compound P. further, P reacts with NaBH4 to give a colorless
liquid Q. The reaction of Q with H2O at 100ºC produces compound R and a diatomic gas S. Among the

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following, the CORRECT statement is
(a) S is Cl2 (b) P is B3N3H6 (c) R is [B(OH)NH]3 (d) Q is [BClNH]3
IIT JAM 2022
33. The major product formed in the following reaction
K+ O2 is
(a) K2O (b) K2O2 (c) KO2 (d) K2O3
34. Among the following, the compound that forms the strongest hydrogen bond is
(a) HF (b) HCl (c) HBr (d) HI
35. The stability of adducts H3B·PF3, H3B·NMe3, H3B·CO, H3B·OMe2 follows the order
(a) H3B·OMe2 < H3B·CO < H3B·PF3 < H3B·NMe3
(b) H3B·PF3 < H3B·CO < H3B·NMe3 < H3B·OMe2
(c) H3B·CO < H3B·PF3 < H3B·NMe3 < H3B·OMe2
(d) H3B·PF3 < H3B·CO < H3B·OMe2 < H3B·NMe3
36. The reason(s) for the lower stability of Si2H6 compared to C2H6 is/are
(a) silicon is more electronegative than hydrogen
(b) Si – Si bond is weaker than C – C bond
(c) Si – H bond is weaker than C – H bond
(d) the presence of low-lying d-orbitals in silicon

ANSWER KEY

1. (*) 2. (*) 3. (b) 4. (*) 5. (*) 6. (b) 7. (d)

8. (b) 9. (d) 10. (d) 11. (a) 12. (a) 13. (a) 14. (b)
15. (d) 16. (b) 17. (*) 18. (d) 19. (3) 20. (4) 21. (a)
22. (a) 23. (c) 24. (b) 25. (4) 26. (a) 27. (a) 28. (a)
29. (b) 30. (a,b,c,d) 31. (*) 32. (*) 33. (c) 34. (a)
35. (d) 36. (b,c)

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HINTS & SOLUTION

1. Increasing lewis acidity order:
BF3 < BCl3 < BBr3
In BF3  2p –2p back bonding most effective due to similar size and energy of ‘p’ orbitals.
BCl3  2p – 3p back bonding less effective because difference in p-orbital energy and also bond length is
large.
In BBr3  2p – 4p least back bonding, due to larger difference in size and energy of p orbital and also bond
length is large.
1
Lewis acidity  back bonding

2. (a) Production of elemental silicon from silica involves these steps:

(i) Reducing SiO2 with high purity coke
SiO 2  2C  Si  2CO
(ii) Converting Si to SiCl4 and purifying this SiCl4 by distillation,
Si + 2Cl2  SiCl4
(iii) Reduction of SiCl4 by Mg or Zn.
SiCl 4  2Mg  Si  MgCl 2
SiCl 4  2Zn  Si  ZnCl2
Ultra pure Si can be made from above obtained Si via Zone refining.

(b)

4. (a) (i) H3COCH3 has more Lewis base character.

Lone pair of oxygen in (I) is delocalized in vacant d orbital of silicon via p-d back bonding, so l.p. on oxygen

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is not available. But in case of dimethyl ether ((CH3)2O), oxygen l.p. is available, so it can act as stronger lewis
base.
(ii) Due to back bonding in (SiH3)2O, double bond character arises (as shown in canonical structure II and III
above), which leads to increment in bond angle as the structure approaches more towards linearity. So Si–O–Si
bond angle is larger w.r.t. C–O–C angle where bonds have single bond character only.
(b) Pure Si is produced from reduction of SiO2 in an electric furnance in presence of coke.
SiO2 + C  Si + CO2

5.

Al2(CH3)6 is more lewis acidic in character, as bridging Al–C–Al bonds are 3-center-2-electron bonds, so, Al
has incomplete octet, but in Al2Cl6 all bonds are 2-centere-2-electron bonds. So has complete octet, so less
tendency to accept electron-pair (i.e. less lewis acidic character).
(b) Stability order
2 2 2
Si Cl2  Sn Cl 2  Pb Cl2
Si, Sn and Pb belong to group 14 and each one of them has ns2 np2 configuration, but due to inert pair effect, as
we go down the group ns2 electron gets inert, and shows reluctancy towards removal.
So, stability of +2 oxidation state increases down the group 14.
As, Si+2 < Sn+2 < Pb+2, but +4 o.s. stability is as, Si+4 > Sn+4 > Pb+4
So, stability order in MCl2 salt is, SiCl2 < SnCl2 < PbCl2
(CH3)2SiCl2 on hydrolysis gives silicon polymer.

17. Hypophosphorus acid is H3PO2.

It structure is

Hence, number of P-H bonds is two.

31. [P nO18]6–
Metaphosphoric acid with empirical formula HPO3 basic unit is [PO3]–1,
Given formula [PnO18]6–
Here number of oxygen atom is 18.
So, multiply basic unit by 6 to make number of oxygenation equal to 18.
[PO3]1– × 6 = [P6O18]6–

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O O
O
P O P O
O O O
O P P
O O O
O
P O P
O O
O O
BCl3  NH 4 Cl 
140ºC
 B3 N 3Cl3 H 3 
NaBH 4
 B3 N 3 H 6 
H 2O
  B  OH  NH  3  H 2
32. P  Q  
S
R

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 6
BIOINORGANIC
IIT JAM 2013
1. For each of the following metallo-proteins identify the metal-ion at the active-site and the function of the proteins:
deoxy-hemoglobin, deoxy-myoglobin, oxy-hemocyanin, cytochrome-C and carbonic anhydrase.
IIT JAM 2014
2. The metal ion of an enzyme involved in hydration of CO2 is
(a) Cu(II) (b) Fe(II) (c) Mg(II) (d) Zn(II)
IIT JAM 2015
3. Low-spin iron(III) centre is present in
(a) deoxy form of hemoglobin (b) oxy form of hemoglobin
(c) hemocyanin (d) carbonic anhydrase
IIT JAM 2016
4. The protein(s) that belong to the class of blue copper protein is(are)
(a) ceruloplasmin (b) superoxide dismutase
(c) hemocyanin (d) azurin
IIT JAM 2017
5. The “heme” containing protein(s) is/are
(a) cytochrome C (b) hemocyanin (c) hemerythrin (d) myoglobin
IIT JAM 2018
6. Carbonic anhydrase is an example of
(a) Hydrolysis enzyme (b) Redox enzyme
(c) O2 transport protein (d) Heme protein
IIT JAM 2019
7. The correct option for the metal ion present in the active site of myoglobin, hemocyanin and vitamin B12, respec-
tively, is
(a) iron, iron and zinc (b) molybdenum, iron and copper
(c) iron, copper and cobalt (d) molybdenum, copper and cobalt
8. The true statement(s) regarding the carbonic anhydrase enzyme is/are
(a) It is involved in peptide bond cleavage.
(b) Redox inactive Zn2+ ion is involved in the catalytic activity of this enzyme.
(c) Activated M–OH2 (M = metal ion) acts as the nucleophile in the enzyme.

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(d) The metal ion is coordinated to the side chain of histidine residues.
IIT JAM 2020
9. The plot showing the magnetic behavior of oxy – (solid line) and deoxy – heamoglobin (dashel line) is
(M= molar magnetic susceptibility, T = temperature)
4 4
cm K mol 

cm K mol 
–1

–1
3 3
2 2
3

3
1 1
(a) (b)
0 0
100 200 300 100 200 300
T(K) T(K)
4 4
cm K mol 

cm K mol 
–1

–1
3 3
2 2
3

3
1 1
(c) (d)
0 0
100 200 300 100 200 300
T(K) T(K)
IIT JAM 2021
10. The CORRECT combination for metalloenzymes given in Column I with their catalytic reactions in Column II is
Column-I Column-II
(i) Cytochrome P-450 (K) 2H2O2  2H2O + O2
(ii) Catalase (L) R–CH2OH + O2  R–CHO + H2O2
(R = alkyl or aryl)
(iii) Galactose oxidase (M) O2 + 4H+ + 4e–  2H2O
(iv) Cytochrome c oxidase (N) R–H + O2 + 2e– + 2H+  R–OH + H2O
(R = alkyl or aryl)
(a) (i)–(M); (ii)–(K); (iii)–(L); (iv)–(N) (b) (i)–(N); (ii)–(K); (iii)–(L); (iv)–(M)
(c) (i)–(M); (ii)–(N); (iii)–(K); (iv)–(L) (d) (i)–(N); (ii)–(L); (iii)–(K); (iv)–(M)
(IIT JAM 2022)
11. Among the following, the biomolecule with a direct metal-carbon bond is
(a) coenzyme B12 (b) nitrogenase (c) chlorophyll (d) hemoglobin
12. Zinc containing enzyme(s) is/are
(a) carboxypeptidase (b) hydrogenase (c) carbonic anhydrase (d) urease

ANSWER KEY
1. (*) 2. (d) 3. (b) 4. (a,c,d) 5. (a,d) 6. (*)
7. (c) 8. (b,c,d) 9. (*) 10. (b) 11. (*) 12. (*)

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HINTS & SOLUTION

1. Deoxy-hemoglobin

6. Carbonic anhydrase is a enzyme that catalyse rapid interconversion of carbon dioxide and water to bicarbonate.
It is a hydrolysis enzyme.
CO 2  H 2O 
Carbonic
Anhydrase
 H 2CO 3 .
9. m = molar magnetic susceptibility
C
m  , C = Curie constant
T
mT = constant
deoxy Hb is paramagnetic oxy Hb is diamagnetic.
The value of magnetic suspectibility for paramagnetic substances is greater the Diamagnetic Substance.
4
cm K mol 
–1

3
2
3

1
0
200 100 300
T(K)
11. The reaction of adenosine phosphate (ATP) with Vit-B12S field direct cobalt – carbon bond between adenosyl
and cobalt the resulting molecule is known as B12 coenzyme.

OH2 OH2
Zn2+ Zn2+
12. (a) (His)N Glu (His)N N(His)
N(His) N(His)

(b) in hydrogenase Fe and Ni metal present

(d) in urease Ni metal present

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 7
D BLOCK
IIT-JAM 2005
1. On addition of a solution of AgNO3 to a solution of Na2S2O3, it turns black on standing due to the formation of:
(a) Ag (b) Ag2S (d) Ag2S2O2 (d) Ag2SO4
IIT-JAM 2006
2. (a) Addition of potassium oxalate solution to a hot solution of potassium dichromate containing dilute sulfuric acid
leads to effervescence and formation of potassium trisoxalatochromate (III).
(i) Write the chemical formula of the chromium complex formed.
(ii) Write the balanced chemical formula for the formation of the complex.
(iii) Calculate the room temperature spin-only magnetic moment, in Bohr magnetons, of the complex.
(b) Write the structure of possible isomers of [CoCl2(en)2]Cl.
IIT JAM-2007
3. (a) M is a first row transition metal. MCl2 on treatment with aqueous ammonia gives a blue coloured solution of
complex N. A solution of MCl2 also gives a bright red precipitate of complex O with ethanoic dimethylglyoxime.
(i) Identify M and draw the structure of O.
(ii) Determine the hybridisation of M in complex N.
(iii) Identify the paramagnetic complex.
(b) [Cr(H2O)6]3+ gave an absorption at 208 kJ/mol which corresponds to 0. Calculate the crystal field stabilisation
energy of this complex in kJ/mol.
4. (a) A solution of metal ion (M2+) when treated with H2S gas gives a black precipitate A. Precipitate A dissolved
in hot concentrated nitric acid to give B along with elemental sulfur. The metal ion soluion also gives a white
precipitate C with an excess of KI. Write the chemical formulae of A, B and C
(b) Why are potassium permanganate solutions unstable in the presence of Mn2+ ions? In the quantitative estima-
tion of iron present in iron ores dissolved in dilute HCl, titrations with dichromate are preferred over titrations with
permanganate. Rationalise.
5. (a) Acidification of an aqueous solution of yellow sodium chromate gives an orange coloured A. A compound
solution of A on treatment with concentrated H2SO4 gives a bright orange solid B. Compound A in the presence
of concentrated H2SO4 reacts with anion C to give a deep red coloured liquid. Identify A, B and C.
215
(b) 84 Po undergoes an  emission to give element X followed by a  emission to give element Y..
(i) Write the valence shell electronic configuration of Y.
(ii) Indicate the groups of the periodic table to which X and Y belong.
IIT JAM-2008

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6. (a) Consider the reaction
2
 Cr 3
A room temperature
(I) Cr2O7  H 2O 2  CrO(O 2 ) 2 
Unstable

(II) Cr 3  H 2O 2 
B
 Cr2O72
(i) Identify A and B.
(ii) What is the role of H2O2 in (I) and how does A favour the formation of Cr3+?
(iii) What is the role of H2O2 in (II) and how does B favour the formation CrO42–?
(b) With the help of equations, illustrate the role of a cis-1, 2-diol in the titration of boric acid with sodium
hydroxide.
7. (a) Identify A, B and C in the following reaction scheme

(b) From the Ellingham diagram given below, identify the metal oxide that can be reduced at a lower temperature
by carbon. Justify.

IIT JAM-2009
8. (a) Highly pure nickel metal can be prepared from its sulphide ore via Ni(CO)4. Write the chemical equations
involved.
(b) Addition of excess of aqueous NH3 followed by ethanolic solution of dimethylglyoxime to a dilute aqueous
solution of nickel sulphate changes the solution colour from green to blue to red. Write the structures of the metal
complexes corresponding to green, blue and red colours.
9. A metal salt on heating with a mixture of KCl and conc. H2SO4 yields a deep red vapour J. The vapour on
passing through an aqueous solution of KOH gives a yellow solution of compound K. Passing SO2 gas through
acidified solution (with H2SO4) of K leads to green colouration of the solution due to the formation of M. Identify
J, K and M giving balanced equations for the transformations, J  K and K  M.
IIT JAM-2011
10. The most probable oxidation states for both Cr and Mo are
(a) +2, +3, +4 (b) +2, +3, +5 (c) +2, +3, +6 (d) +3, +4, +5
11. The pair of amphoteric oxides is:
(a) VO, Cr2O3 (b) V2O3, Cr2O3 (c) VO2, Cr2O3 (d) V2O5, CrO3

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12. The transition metal monoxide that shows metallic conductivity is:
(a) NiO (b) MnO (c) TiO (d) CoO
13. The metal that is extracted by the reduction method is:
(a) Al (b) Au (c) Hg (d) Mg
14. Addition of an aqueous solution of Fe(II) to potassium hexacyanochromate (III) produces a brick-red colured
complex, which turns dark green at 100ºC. The dark green complex is
(a) Fe4[Cr(CN)6]3 (b) KFe[Cr(CN)6] (d) KCr[Fe(CN)6] (d) Fe[Cr(CN)6]
15. In the following equilibrium and reactions, identify species B to E.
Write the balanced chemical equation for the conversion of C to E.

A pH  6 B dil. HCl C

 
 

oxide of Cr Yellow colour strong oxidizing agent
solid tetrahedral
no d-electrons
B + diphenylcarbazide 
 D (violet colour)
C + HCl 
 E (greenish yellow gas)
16. (a) Identify species A and C in the following:
Write the balanced chemical equation for the conversion of A and A3+.
A + aqua regia 
 A + NO
3+

A3+ + I– 
 B (black precipitate)

B + I– (excess) 
 C (orange colour)
Hint: C on the dilution with water gives B
(b) Draw the structures of X and Y in the following reactions.
(i) Borazine + HCl 
X
(ii) Borazine + Br2 
Y
IIT JAM-2012
17. The compound formed by dissolving elemental gold in aqua regia is:
(a) AuCl (b) AuNO3 (c) H[AuCl4] (d) H[Au(NO3)4]
18. Number of moles of ions produced by complete dissociation of one mole of Mohr’s salt in water is
(a) 3 (b) 4 (c) 5 (d) 6
19. A filter paper moistioned with ammonical sodium nitroprusside solution turns violet on contact with a drop of
alkaline Na2S solution. The violet colour is due to the formation of
(a) [Fe(SCN)5(NO)]– (b) [Fe(SCN)5(NO)]2–
(c) [Fe(CN)5(NOS)]3– (d) [Fe(CN)5(NOS)]4–
IIT JAM-2013
20. Among the following, the ligand that BEST stabilizes low oxidation state of tungsten (W) is
(a) H2O (b) NH3 (c) CO (d) F–

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21. The reaction of anhydrous FeCl2 with sodium-pentadienyl in ether gives an air-stable diamagnetic orange solid,
which on oxidation gives an air-sensitive paramgnetic blue-green compound in solution. The blue-green compound
is _____________
IIT JAM-2015
22. The amount (in grams) of potassium dichromate (MW = 294) present in 75 mL of 0.16 M aqueous solution is
_______
IIT JAM-2016
23. Effective nuclear charge for 3d electron in vanadium (atomic number = 23) according to Slater’s rule is ____.
IIT JAM-2017
24. In the following Latimer diagram, the species the undergoes disproportionation reaction is
0.56 0.15 0.25 1.56
MnO 4  MnO 42 
0.93
 MnO 2  Mn 2 O3  Mn(OH) 2  Mn
(a) MnO42– (b) MnO43– (c) Mn2O3 (d) Mn(OH)2
25. A yellow precipitate is formed upon addition of aqueous AgNO3 to a solution of
(a) phosphite (b) pyrophosphate (c) metaphosphate (d) orthophosphate
26. The metal ion (M2+) in the following reaction is

M 2  S2  Black precipitate 

hot conc. HNO
3  White precipitate

(a) Mn2+ (b) Fe2+ (c) Cd2+ (d) Cu2+

IIT JAM-2018
27. Which of the following metal(s) is(are) extracted from its(their) sulfide ore(s) by self-reduction air reduction
method?
(A) Cu (B) Al (C) Au (D) Pb
28. In a saturated calomel electrode, the saturation is with respect to
(A) KCl (B) Hg2Cl2 (C) HgCl2 (D) AgCl
IIT JAM-2019
29. In qualitative inorganic analysis of metal ions, the ion which precipitates as sulfide in the presence of H2S in warm
dilute HCl is
(a) Cr3+ (b) Al3+ (c) Co2+ (d) Bi3+
30. The true statement(s) regarding the brown ring test carried out in the laboratory for the detection of NO3– is/are
(a) Brown ring is due to the formation of the iron nitrosyl complex.
(b) Concentrated nitric acid is used for the test.
(c) The complex formed in the reaction is [Fe(CN)5NO]2–.
(d) The brown colored complex is paramagnetic in nature.
IIT JAM-2020
31. Titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) reacts with THF to form an octahedral complex X under inert atmosphere at 25ºC.
If 5.0 g of TiCl4 is used and the yields is 80%, the amount of X (in grams) formed is _______ (Round off to one
decimal place)
(Use atomic weights: Ti = 48, Cl = 35.5 Q = 16, C = 12 and H = 1)

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ANSWER KEY

1. (b) 2. (*) 3. (a) 4. (*) 5. (*) 6. (a) 7. (*)

8. (*) 9. (*) 10. (c) 11. (c) 12. (c) 13. (c) 14. (c)
15. (*) 16. (*) 17. (c) 18. (c) 19. (d) 20. (b) 21. (*)
22. (294) 23. (4.3) 24. (*) 25. (d) 26. (*) 27. (a,d) 28. (a,b)
29. (d) 30. (a,d) 31. (6.96 g)

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HINTS & SOLUTION

2. (a) (i) Chromium complex  K3[Cr(Ox)3]
where Ox  C2O42–
(ii) K 2 Cr2 O 7  9K 2C 2 O 4  7H 2SO 4  2K 3[Cr(C 2O 4 )3 ]  6CO 2  7K 2SO 4  7H 2 O
(ii) In complex, K3[Cr(Ox)3], Cr+3 has 3d3 electrons in its t2g orbital.
Number of unpaired electron (n) = 3
Spin only magnetic moment (s )  n(n  2) B.M.  3  5 B.M.  15 B.M.
(b) [CoCl2(en)2]Cl

4. (a) A  CuS; B  Cu(NO3 ) 2

C  CuI or Cu 2I 2
(b) Mn+2 catalyses the decomposition of KMnO4, as KMnO4 oxidises Mn+2 and itself gets reduced.
2MnO 4  3Mn 2  2H 2O  5MnO 2 (s)  4H 
Also KMnO4 is not a primary standard, because it undergoes decomposition in water solution,
2KMnO4 + H2O  2KOH + 2MnO2 + 3[O]
So, KMnO4 solution is not suitable for estimation of Fe dissolved in HCl.
But K2Cr2O7 solution can be used as a primary standard, because it is stable in aqueous medium, thats
why it is prefered over KMnO4 solution.

2 Na 2CrO 4  2H   Na 2Cr2O 7  2Na   H 2O

5. (a) (Yellow) Orange
(A)

Na 2CrO7  2H 2SO4  2CrO3  2NaHSO 4  H 2O

(A) (conc.) (B)
Bright orange
solid

Na 2Cr2O7  4Cl  6H 2SO 4  CrO2Cl2  2NaHSO 4  4HSO 4  3H 2O

(A) (C) (conc.) (deep red liquid)

So, A  Na 2Cr2 O7
B  CrO3

C  Cl

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215 emission 211 emission 211
(b) 84 Po   82 X   83 Y [Y = Bi]
(i) Valence shell electronic configuration of Y is, 6s2 6p3
(ii) X belongs to group 14 (carbon group)
Y belongs to group 15 (Nitrogen group)

7. (a)

(b)

As after temperature T1 the G of reaction, C  Co, becomes more negative than Mg  MgO reaction,
So carbon can reduce MgO above temperature T1 but G of reaction C  CO, becomes more -ve than
Ca CaO reaction only above T2.
As T1 < T2
So, MgO can be reduced at lower temperature than CaO.
8. (a) Sulfide ore in first roasted in air to give NiO.
2NiS + 3O2  2NiO + 2SO2
NiO is then reduced by water gas.
NiO + H2  Ni + H2O
To refine Ni, it is heated to about 50–60ºC in a steam of CO gas. Nickel passes off as its volatile
carbonyl, Ni(CO)4, this volatile product is passed over nickel shot at about 200ºC. Nickel is
deposited by Ni(CO)4 and is almost pure.
5060ºC
Ni(s)  4CO  Ni(CO) 4 (g)
Ni, 200ºC
Ni(CO) 4  Ni  4CO(g)

(b)

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9. J  CrO 2Cl 2 (Chromyl chloride)

K  K 2 CrO 4 (Potassium chromate)
M  Cr2 (SO 4 )3 (Chromium (III) sulfate)
J  K transformation,
2K 2CrO 4  3SO2  2H 2SO 4 
 Cr2 (SO 4 )3  2K 2SO 4  2H 2O
(K) (M)
15. Complete chemical reaction occurs in above chemical transformation can be shown as
pH 6 dil. HCl
CrO3  CrO 42 
 2
 Cr2 O7
(A) (B) (C)

Cr2O72  6HCl  8H  
 Cl2  2Cr 3  7H 2O
(C) (E)
greenish yellow gas

16. (a)

BiI3  I  [BiI 4 ]
(B) (C) orange colour (soluble complex)

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(b)

Br

H B H
N N

B B
(ii) (Y)  Br
 HBr N Br

H
(B3N3H3Br3)

21.

0.56 0.27 0.93 0.15 0.25

24. MnO 4 
(I)
 MnO 24 
(II)
 MnO34 
(III)
 MnO 2 
(IV)
 Mn 2O3 
(V)
 Mn(OH) 2
7 6 5 4 3 2
1.56
 Mn
(VI) 0
For MnO43– its standard reduction potential is greater value than the standard oxidation potential hence it will
undergo dispropotionation reaction due to overall standard potential is positive
e  MnO34  MnO 2 Eº  0.93
MnO34  MnO 24  e  Eº  0.27
2MnO34  MnO 2  MnO 42
Eºtotal = 0.93 – 0.27 = +0.66 V
Hence it will undergo disproportionation reaction.
26. Cu+2 + S2–  CuS (Black Precipitate)
CuS + conc. HNO3  Cu(NO3)2 + NO2 + S  (white ppt.)

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 8
Analytical Chemistry & Instrumental
Method of Analysis
IIT JAM 2009
1. The indicator phenolphthalein changes colour at pH ~ 9. This indicator is NOT suitable for accurate determination
of the end point in the titration of
(a) CH3COOH with NaOH (b) HCl with NH4OH
(c) HCl with NaOH (d) HCl with KOH
IIT JAM 2011
2. In ammonical buffer, oxine (8-hydroxyquinoline) forms yellow precipitate with
(a) Mg(II) (b) Ca(II) (c) Ba(II) (d) Sr(II)
IIT JAM 2014
3. In the measurement of hardness of water by complexometric titration, identify P and Q in the following equation.
[ P] – + [H2Y]2–  [Q]2– + [HIn]2– + H+
red colourless colourless blue
(a) P = MgY, Q = MgIn (b) P = MgY2, Q = MgIn2
(c) P = MgIn2, Q = MgY2 (d) P = MgIn, Q = MgY
IIT JAM 2015
4. The reagent ‘oxine’ commonly used in analytical chemistry is

(a) N CH 3 (b) N
OH OH
OH
O H 3C N

(c) N (d)
OH H 3C N
OH

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IIT JAM 2016

5. Indicator used in redox titration is
(a) Eriochrome black T (b) Methyl orange
(c) Phenolphthalein (d) Methylene blue
IIT JAM 2017
6. The indicator(s) appropriate for determination of end point in the titration of a weak acid with a strong base is/are
(a) Phenolphthalein (b) thymol blue (c) bromophenol blue (d) methyl orange
IIT JAM 2018
7. Which plot represents a spectrophotometric titration, where the titrant alone absorbs light in the visible region?
Absorbance in the

Absorbance in the
visible region

visible region
end point

(a) end point (b)

Volume of titrant Volume of titrant

Absorbance in the

Absorbance in the
visible region

visible region

end point

(c) (d) end point

Volume of titrant Volume of titrant

8. Choose the correct answer(s) with respect to the magnesium-EDTA titration carried out in the pH range 7 –
10.5, using solochrome black as indicator
(a) Magnesium-indicator complex is more stable than the magnesium-EDTA complex
(b) At the end point, the colour changes from red to blue
(c) After the end point, the colour of the solution is due to the indicator.
(d) pH range of 7 – 10.5 is necessary for observing the specific colour change

ANSWER KEY

1. (b) 2. (a) 3. (d) 4. (b) 5. (d) 6. (*) 7. (a)

8. (b,c,d)

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HINTS & SOLUTION

6. Titration of weak acid with strong base
14
13
Indicator Range
12
11 phenolphthalein 8.3 to 10.0
10 Steep curve
9 8 to 11 Thymol blue 8 to 9.6
8
7
6
Bromophenol blue 3.0 to 4.6
5
4 Methyl orange 3.1 to 4.4
3
2
1
Vol. of NaOH

Only those indicators having pH range equal to the range that lie within steep curve can be used for titration
 phenolphthalein and thymol blue are suitable indicators.

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 9
Nuclear Chemistry
(IIT JAM 2005)
1. The radioactive isotope used to locate brain tumors is

(a) 12 D (b) 15
7 N (c) 131
53 I (d) 13
6 C

2. The radioactive element Ra (Z = 86) emits three alpha particles in succession. Deduce in which group the
resulting element will be found?
3. A radioisotope sample has an initial activity of 23 dis/min. After 1/2 h, the activity is 11.5 dis/min. How many
atoms of the radioactive nuclide were present originally? [t1/2 = 0.69]
(IIT JAM 2006)
4. The half-life of a radioactive nuclide is 20 years. If a sample of this nuclide has an activity of 6400 disintegrations
per minute (dis/min) today, its activity (dis/min) after 100 years would be
(a) 850 (b) 1600 (c) 200 (d) 400
(IIT JAM 2007)
5. 215 undergoes an  emission to give element X followed by a  emission to give element Y..
84 Po
(i) Write the valence shell electronic configuration of Y.
(ii) Indicate the groups of the periodic table to which X and Y belong.
(IIT JAM 2008)
6. In the process
234 230
92 U 
 90 Th  X
X is:
(a)  particle (b) -particle (c) +-emission (d) -emission
(IIT JAM 2009)
7. Complete the following nuclear reactions:
(i) 14 4 1
7 N  2 He  1H  .......... (ii) 37 Li  11H  ...........
(IIT JAM 2011)
8. In the following equation X is:
241 243
95 Am   
97 Bk  X
(a) 2 10 n (b) 10 n (c) 2 11n (d) 42 He
(IIT JAM 2012)

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9. 238
The total number of steps involved and number of beta particles emitted in the spontaneous decay of 92 208
U 82 Pb
respectively, are
(a) 8 and 6 (b) 14 and 6 (c) 6 and 8 (d) 14 and 8
(IIT JAM 2014)
10. In boron neutron capture therapy, the initial boron isotope used and the particle generated after neutron capture
respectively are:
(a) 11B and  particle (b) 10B and  particle (c) 11B and  particle (d) 10B and  particle
11. The number of  and  particle(s), generated in the following radioactive decay process, are:
238 234
92 U 92 U
(a) one  and two  particle (b) two  and one  particles
(c) one  and four  particles (d) no  and four  particles
(IIT JAM 2015)
12. A wood specimen containing 14C taken from an ancient palace showed 24 counts in 3 minutes per gram of
carbon in a detector. however, a fresh wood showed 52 counts in 2 minutes per gram of carbon. Assuming no
background signal in the detector and half life of 14C as 5730 years, the age (in years) of the wood specimen is
______
(IIT JAM 2016)
13. 214
The isotope 84 Po undergoes one alpha and one beta particle emission sequentially to form an isotope “X”. The
number of neutrons in “X” is _____.
(IIT JAM 2017)
14. A radioactive element undergoes 80% radioactive decay in 300 min. The half-life for this species in minutes is
______
(IIT JAM 2018)
15. The decay modes of 14C and 14O are
(a) – decay (b) positron emission
(c) – decay and positron emission, respectively
(c) positron emission and – decay, respectively
16. 24
Na decays to one-fourth of its initial amount in 29.8 hours. Its decay constant is ______ hour–1 (rounded up to
four decimal places).
(IIT JAM 2019)
17. A radioactive sample decays to 10% of its initial amount in 4600 minutes. The rate constant of this process is
________ hour–1. (Round off to two decimal places)
(IIT JAM 2021)
18. For the following fusion reaction,
4 1H  4 He  2  2  
the Q-value (energy of the reaction) in MeV (rounded off to one decimal place) is ______.
(Given: Mass of 1H nucleus is 1.007825 u and mass of 4He nucleus is 4.002604 u)

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ANSWER KEY

1. (c) 2. (14) 3. (1000) 4. (c) 5. (*) 6. (a) 7. (*)

8. (a) 9. (b) 10. (b) 11. (a) 12. (*) 13. (127) 14. (129.15)
15. (d) 16. (*) 17. (*) 18. (26.7)

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HINTS & SOLUTION

215 emission 211 emission 211
5. 84 Po   82 X   83 Y [Y = Bi]
(i) Valence shell electronic configuration of Y is, 6s2 6p3
(ii) X belongs to group 14 (carbon group)
Y belongs to group 15 (Nitrogen group)
7. (i) 14 4
 11H  17
7 N  2 He  8 O (ii) 7 1
 84 Be
3 Li  1H 

t1/ 2  activity of fresh sample 

t ln 
12. 0.693  activity of dead sample 


5730 yr  52 / 2
 t  0.693 ln  24 / 3  (count per minute)
 
5730 year  26 
t ln    9745.58 year..
0.693 8
16. For 1st order reaction
A  A 0e kt
A0
 A 0e  k(29.8)
4
1
 e  k(29.8)
4
1
ln   k(29.8)
4
1.3862   k(29.8)
.38 1
k hr
29.8
k = 0.0465 hr–1
17. Radioactive decays occur via 1 order kinetics
A  A 0 e t
A = 0.10 A0
0.10 A 0  A 0 e t
t = 4600 min
4600 230
t hr  hr
60 3
230

0.1  e 3

taking ln both sides

  230
ln 0.1  
3

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 230
2.303log101  
3
2.303  3
  
230
 = 0.03 hr–1.

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