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Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure appeared 42 times across 3 years — 4.9% of Chemistry. This question is from VSEPR Theory.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 12 14 16 42

Given below are two statements: Statement (I) : for C F₃ , all three possible structures may be drawn as follows.
ClF3 structure variant I for Q44
The prompt displays three configurations of chlorine trifluoride with differing spatial positions for its two lone electron pairs.
ClF3 structure variant I for Q44
The prompt displays three configurations of chlorine trifluoride with differing spatial positions for its two lone electron pairs.
ClF3 structure variant I for Q44
The prompt displays three configurations of chlorine trifluoride with differing spatial positions for its two lone electron pairs.
Statement (II) : Structure III is most stable, as the orbitals having the lone pairs are axial, where the p- bp repulsion is minimum. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

ClF3 structure variant I for Q44
The prompt displays three configurations of chlorine trifluoride with differing spatial positions for its two lone electron pairs.

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula
Steric Number for ClF₃ = (7+3)/(2) = 5 sp³d hybridization (Trigonal Bipyramidal geometry)
Core Logic
  • Statement I is correct: The three structural arrangements represent the different ways to place three bond pairs and two lone pairs within a trigonal bipyramidal grid.
  • Statement II is incorrect: According to VSEPR theory and Bent's rule, in sp³d hybridization, lone pairs must occupy equatorial positions to minimize strong 90^° lone pair-bond pair (p-bp) repulsions. Placing them axially maximizes repulsions, making that structure the least stable, not the most stable.
Pattern Recognition

For sp³d configurations (Trigonal Bipyramidal), lone pairs ALWAYS prefer equatorial sites where they experience 120^circ interactions, minimizing severe 90^circ structural strains. This results in the classic stable T-shaped configuration for ClF₃.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

More Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure Previous-Year Questions — Page 7

Q jee_main_2024_27_jan_morning Dipole Moment
Choose the polar molecule from the following:
  • A. CCl₄
  • B. CO₂
  • C. CH₂=CH₂
  • D. CHCl₃

Solution

Core Logic
CCl₄ arrow μ = 0 (Symmetrical tetrahedral) CO₂ arrow μ = 0 (Linear structure) CH₂=CH₂ arrow μ = 0 (Planar symmetrical structure)

For CHCl₃, the individual dipole vectors do not cancel due to differing electronegativities of H and Cl, leading to a permanent non-zero dipole moment (μ ≠ 0).

Dipole vectors structural cancellation schema for Q69 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
Dipole vectors structural cancellation schema for Q69 - JEE Main 2024 Morning

Pattern Recognition

Symmetry yields vector cancellation arrow μ=0. Asymmetry in CHCl₃ prevents cancellation arrow polar.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Q89 jee_main_2024_27_jan_morning Molecular Orbital Theory
Sum of bond order of CO and NO^+ is .
Numerical Answer. Answer: 6 to 6

Solution

Step 1: Determine the bond order of CO

Carbon monoxide (CO) contains 6 + 8 = 14 total electrons. Its structural representation is C, matching a bond order value of 3.

Step 2: Determine the bond order of NO^+

The nitrosonium ion (NO^+) contains 7 + 8 - 1 = 14 total electrons. Since it is isoelectronic with N₂ and CO (14 electrons), its corresponding bond order value is also 3.

Step 3: Sum the results
Sum = 3 + 3 = 6
Pattern Recognition

Isoelectronic species possessing 14 total electrons consistently demonstrate a bond order value of 3.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Q81 jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning VSEPR Theory
Number of compounds with one lone pair of electrons on central atom amongst following is O₃, H₂O, SF₄, ClF₃, NH₃, BrF₅, XeF₄
Numerical Answer. Answer: 4 to 4

Solution

Core Logic

Let us determine the steric number (Z) and number of lone pairs (LP) for the central atom in each given molecule. Formula: Z = (1)/(2) (V + M - C + A) Where V = valence electrons on central atom, M = number of monovalent atoms, C = cationic charge, A = anionic charge. LP = Z - Bond Pairs (B.P.)

  • O₃: Central atom O (V=6). It forms one double bond and one dative bond. It has 1 lone pair remaining.
  • H₂O: Central atom O (V=6). Z = (1)/(2)(6 + 2) = 4. LP = 4 - 2 = 2.
  • SF₄: Central atom S (V=6). Z = (1)/(2)(6 + 4) = 5. LP = 5 - 4 = 1 (See-saw shape).
  • ClF₃: Central atom Cl (V=7). Z = (1)/(2)(7 + 3) = 5. LP = 5 - 3 = 2 (T-shape).
  • NH₃: Central atom N (V=5). Z = (1)/(2)(5 + 3) = 4. LP = 4 - 3 = 1 (Pyramidal).
  • BrF₅: Central atom Br (V=7). Z = (1)/(2)(7 + 5) = 6. LP = 6 - 5 = 1 (Square Pyramidal).
  • XeF₄: Central atom Xe (V=8). Z = (1)/(2)(8 + 4) = 6. LP = 6 - 4 = 2 (Square Planar).
Step 1: Final Counting

VSEPR Theory diagram for Q81 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
VSEPR Theory diagram for Q81 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
VSEPR Theory diagram for Q81 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
VSEPR Theory diagram for Q81 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
VSEPR Theory diagram for Q81 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
VSEPR Theory diagram for Q81 - JEE Main 2024 Morning

The compounds containing exactly ONE lone pair on the central atom are O₃, SF₄, NH₃, and BrF₅.

Total count = 4.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Q88 jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning Molecular Orbital Theory
The number of species from the following which are paramagnetic and with bond order equal to one is H₂, He₂^+, O₂^+, N₂²⁻, O₂²⁻, F₂, Ne₂^+, B₂
Numerical Answer. Answer: 1 to 1

Solution

Core Logic

Using Molecular Orbital (MO) Theory, we evaluate the bond order (BO = (Nb - Nₐ)/(2)) and magnetic nature (unpaired electrons = paramagnetic, all paired = diamagnetic) for each species:

SpeciesMagnetic behaviourBond order
H₂Diamagnetic1
He₂^+Paramagnetic0.5
O₂^+Paramagnetic2.5
N₂²⁻Paramagnetic2
O₂²⁻Diamagnetic1
F₂Diamagnetic1
Ne₂^+Paramagnetic0.5
B₂Paramagnetic1

Step 1: Final Selection

We need the species that satisfies BOTH conditions:

  • Paramagnetic
  • Bond Order = 1
  • Looking at the table, B₂ is the only molecule that is paramagnetic (it has 2 unpaired electrons in degenerate π₂ₚ orbitals) and has a bond order of 1.

    Total number of such species = 1.

Pattern Recognition

B₂ (10 electrons) and O₂ (16 electrons) are the classic exceptions in MO theory that are paramagnetic despite having an even number of electrons. B₂ has BO = 1, and O₂ has BO = 2.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Q jee_main_2024_30_january_evening VSEPR Theory and Molecular Shapes
The molecule/ion with square pyramidal shape is:
  • A. [Ni(CN)₄]²⁻
  • B. PCl₅
  • C. BrF₅
  • D. PF₅

Solution

Core Logic

According to VSEPR theory:

  • [Ni(CN)₄]²⁻: dsp² hybridization arrow Square Planar.
  • PCl₅: sp³d hybridization with 0 lone pairs arrow Trigonal Bipyramidal.
  • BrF₅: Bromine has 7 valence electrons. It forms 5 single bonds with Fluorine, leaving 1 lone pair. sp³d² hybridization arrow geometry is octahedral, but shape is Square Pyramidal.
  • PF₅: sp³d hybridization with 0 lone pairs arrow Trigonal Bipyramidal.
  • Square Pyramidal structure of BrF5 diagram for Q69 - JEE Main 2024 Evening
    Square Pyramidal structure of BrF5 diagram for Q69 - JEE Main 2024 Evening

Pattern Recognition

AX₅E₁ configuration (5 bond pairs + 1 lone pair) typically yields a Square Pyramidal shape.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure Class 12 Chemistry: Coordination Compounds

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