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d-and f-Block Elements appeared 45 times across 3 years — 5.2% of Chemistry. This question is from Ionisation Enthalpy Trends.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 10 18 17 45

The incorrect relationship in the following pairs in relation to ionisation enthalpies is :

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula
IE ∝ 1Stability of electronic configuration
Core Logic

Let's examine the configurations:

  • For Mn²⁺, the electronic configuration is [Ar]3d⁵, which features a highly stable, symmetric half-filled d-subshell.
  • For Fe²⁺, the configuration is [Ar]3d⁶.
  • Because of the extra exchange energy and stability of the half-filled 3d⁵ state, it is harder to remove an electron from Mn²⁺ than from Fe²⁺. Therefore, the ionisation enthalpy of Mn²⁺ is greater than that of Fe²⁺:

IE(Mn²⁺) > IE(Fe²⁺)

Hence, the expression Mn²⁺ < Fe²⁺ is incorrect.

Pattern Recognition

Whenever you see manganese (Mn) in the +2 oxidation state, remember its exceptionally stable d⁵ config. This creates anomalous spikes in successive ionisation energies compared to neighboring iron (Fe).

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: The d and f Block Elements

Reference Study Guides

More The d and f Block Elements Previous-Year Questions — Page 6

Q46 jee_main_2025_28_jan_evening Magnetic Properties and Oxidation States
The spin only magnetic moment (μ) value (B.M.) of the compound with strongest oxidising power among Mn₂O₃, TiO and VO is ______ B.M. (Nearest integer).
Numerical Answer. Answer: 5 to 5

Solution

Related Formula

Spin-only magnetic moment expression:

μ = √(n(n+2)) B.M.
Core Logic

Evaluating the oxidation states and stability profiles:

  • In TiO: Ti²⁺
  • In VO: V²⁺
  • In Mn₂O₃: Mn³⁺
  • Mn³⁺ possesses a very high reduction potential (E^°Mn³⁺/Mn²⁺ = +1.57 V), making it an exceptionally strong oxidizing agent because it easily gains an electron to form stable Mn²⁺ (d⁵ configuration).

Step 1: Calculate the Magnetic Moment of Mn(III)

Electronic configuration of Mn³⁺:

Mn³⁺ = [Ar]3d⁴ n = 4 unpaired electrons

Calculating the spin-only magnetic moment:

μ = √(4(4+2)) = √(24) ≈ 4.89 B.M.
Step 2: Rounding to Nearest Integer

Rounding 4.89 B.M. to the nearest integer gives 5.

Pattern Recognition

High reduction potentials are strongly tied to manganese in its +3 oxidation state. To quickly estimate magnetic moments, remember that a system with n unpaired electrons always results in a value of 'n.something' B.M. Thus, 4 unpaired electrons arrow 4.89 B.M., which rounds up to 5.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: d- and f-Block Elements

Q jee_main_2025_29_jan_morning Melting Points of Transition Elements
The correct option with order of melting points of the pairs (Mn, Fe), (Tc, Ru) and (Re, Os) is :
  • A. Fe < Mn , Ru < Tc and Re < Os
  • B. Mn < Fe, Tc < Ru and Re < Os
  • C. Mn < Fe, Tc < Ru and Os < Re
  • D. Fe < Mn , Ru < Tc and Os < Re

Solution

Formulas Used

Melting point trends in 3d, 4d, and 5d series transition metals depend on the extent of metallic bonding and d-electron participation.

Core Logic

According to NCERT transition element periodic trends:

  • 3d Series (Mn vs Fe): Manganese (Mn, 3d⁵ 4s²) has an abnormally low melting point compared to Iron (Fe, 3d⁶ 4s²) because its stable, half-filled d⁵ configuration holds d-electrons more tightly, reducing their participation in metallic bonding arrow Mn < Fe.
  • 4d Series (Tc vs Ru): Technetium (Tc, 4d⁵ 5s²) similarly shows a dip in melting point compared to Ruthenium (Ru, 4d⁷ 5s¹) due to the stable 4d⁵ configuration arrow Tc < Ru.
  • 5d Series (Re vs Os): Rhenium (Re, 5d⁵ 6s²) has optimal interatomic interaction and a higher melting point than Osmium (Os, 5d⁶ 6s²) arrow Os < Re.
  • Combining these trends yields: Mn < Fe, Tc < Ru, and Os < Re

Pattern Recognition

Stable half-filled d⁵ configurations in 3d (Mn) and 4d (Tc) restrict d-electron delocalization, creating characteristic dips in melting point curves compared to adjacent metals.

Correct Option: (C)

Q jee_main_2025_29_jan_morning Preparation and Properties of Potassium Dichromate
The molar mass of the water insoluble product formed from the fusion of chromite ore (FeCr₂O₄) with Na₂CO₃ in presence of O₂ is ________ g mol⁻¹.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 160 to 160

Solution

Related Formula
Balanced fusion reaction process description
Core Logic

Write the balanced chemical equation for the industrial preparation stage of chromate salts:

4FeCr₂O₄ + 8Na₂CO₃ + 7O₂ arrow 8Na₂CrO₄ + 2Fe₂O₃ + 8CO₂

Evaluating the solubilities of the products:

  • Na₂CrO₄ is highly soluble in water.
  • Fe₂O₃ (Iron(III) oxide) is water-insoluble.
  • Molar Mass of Fe₂O₃:

M = (2 · 55.85) + (3 · 16.0) (2 · 56) + (3 · 16) = 112 + 48 = 160 ~g/mol
Pattern Recognition

Transition metal oxides in high oxidation states with minimal ionic breakdown parameters reliably act as insoluble precipitates in water.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: The d-and f-Block Elements

Q jee_main_2024_01_february_morning Oxidising Properties
In acidic medium, K₂Cr₂O₇ shows oxidising action as represented in the half reaction Cr₂O₇²⁻ + XH^+ + Ye^- arrow 2A + ZH₂O X, Y, Z and A are respectively are:
  • A. 8, 6, 4 and Cr₂O₃
  • B. 14, 7, 6 and Cr³⁺
  • C. 8, 4, 6 and Cr₂O₃
  • D. 14, 6, 7 and Cr³⁺

Solution

Core Logic

The balanced half-reaction for the dichromate ion acting as an oxidising agent in an acidic medium is:

Cr₂O₇²⁻ + 14H^+ + 6e^- arrow 2Cr³⁺ + 7H₂O
Step 1: Compare with Given Equation

Comparing this with the given equation Cr₂O₇²⁻ + XH^+ + Ye^- arrow 2A + ZH₂O:

X = 14 Y = 6 Z = 7 A = Cr³⁺

Pattern Recognition

In acidic medium, dichromate (Cr₂O₇²⁻) always requires 14H^+ to balance 7O atoms, forming 7H₂O. Chromium reduces from +6 to +3 state, taking 6e^- overall.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: The d-and f-Block Elements Class 11 Chemistry: Redox Reactions

Q73 jee_main_2024_29_january_evening Lanthanoid Oxidation States
Which of the following acts as a strong reducing agent? (Atomic number : Ce = 58, Eu = 63, Gd = 64, Lu = 71)
  • A. Lu³⁺
  • B. Gd³⁺
  • C. Eu²⁺
  • D. Ce⁴⁺

Solution

Related Formula
Electronic configuration of Eu = [Xe] 4f⁷ 6s²
Core Logic

The most common and stable oxidation state for lanthanoids is +3. In the case of Europium:

Eu²⁺ = [Xe] 4f⁷

This configuration possesses a highly stable half-filled f-subshell. However, because the +3 state is universally favored by thermodynamics in solution, Eu²⁺ readily undergoes oxidation to lose one more electron:

Eu²⁺ arrow Eu³⁺ + 1e^-

By releasing an electron to stabilize into the +3 state, it behaves as a potent reducing agent.

Step 1: Evaluation

Conversely, Ce⁴⁺ acts as a powerful oxidizing agent to return to +3, while Lu³⁺ and Gd³⁺ are already perfectly configured at their native stable limits.

Pattern Recognition

Europium(II) has a stable half-filled f⁷ configuration, yet easily loses an electron to attain the highly stable +3 state typical of lanthanoids, making it a strong reducing agent.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: d and f Block Elements

More The d and f Block Elements Questions — jee_main_2025_04_april_evening

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