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p-Block Elements appeared 42 times across 3 years — 4.9% of Chemistry. This question is from Inert Pair Effect and Oxidation States.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 16 13 13 42

The correct statements from the following are: (A) Tl³⁺ is a powerful oxidising agent (B) Al³⁺ does not get reduced easily (C) Both Al³⁺ and Tl³⁺ are very stable in solution (D) Tl⁺ is more stable than Tl³⁺ (E) Al³⁺ and Tl⁺ are highly stable Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula
Inert pair effect Stability of (+n-2) oxidation state increases down the main p-block groups.
Core Logic

Let's analyze the group 13 stability dynamics:

  • Inert Pair Effect: Down Group 13, the reluctance of inner ns² electrons to participate in bonding increases. Thus, for Thallium (Tl), the +1 oxidation state is significantly more stable than the +3 oxidation state (Tl^+ > Tl³⁺). This validates statement (D). [cite: 1020, 1032]
  • Because Tl³⁺ is highly unstable, it eagerly captures two electrons to reduce to Tl^+, acting as a powerful oxidizing agent, verifying statement (A). [cite: 1020, 1023]
  • Aluminum is small and highly electropositive. Its standard reduction potential is heavily negative (E⁰ = -1.66 V), meaning Al³⁺ resists reduction and remains highly stable in solution, validating statements (B) and (E). [cite: 1026, 1027, 1038]
Step 1: Eliminating Flawed Entries

Statement (C) states that both are highly stable in solution, which is false since Tl³⁺ is highly unstable and readily oxidizes surrounding species. Thus, the valid statements are (A), (B), (D), and (E) only.

Pattern Recognition

Inert pair shortcuts: For heavy p-block blocks (like Tl, Pb, Bi), the lowest oxidation state (+1, +2, +3 respectively) is always favored over the maximum group valence. Consequently, their high-valence ions act as excellent oxidizers.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: The p-Block Elements

Reference Study Guides

More The p-Block Elements Previous-Year Questions

Q51 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Reactions of Lead Compounds
Consider the following reactions. PbCl₂ + K₂CrO₄ arrow A + 2KCl (Hot solution) A + NaOH leftharpoons B + Na₂CrO₄ PbSO₄ + 4CH₃COONH₄ arrow (NH₄)₂SO₄ + X In the above reactions, A, B and X are respectively
  • A. Na₂[Pb(OH)₂] , PbCrO₄ and (NH₄)₂[Pb(CH₃COO)₄]
  • B. PbCrO₄ , Na₂[Pb(OH)₄] and [Pb(NH₃)₄]SO₄
  • C. Na₂[Pb(OH)₂] , PbCrO₄ and [Pb(NH₃)₄]SO₄
  • D. PbCrO₄ , Na₂[Pb(OH)₄] and (NH₄)₂[Pb(CH₃COO)₄]

Solution

Core Logic

The precipitation and complex formation reactions of Lead are:

PbCl₂ + K₂CrO₄ arrow PbCrO₄ + 2KCl (Hot solution) so, A is PbCrO₄ PbCrO₄ + 4NaOH (excess) arrow Na₂[Pb(OH)₄] + Na₂CrO₄ so, B is Na₂[Pb(OH)₄] PbSO₄ + 4CH₃COONH₄ arrow (NH₄)₂ [Pb(CH₃COO)₄] + (NH₄)₂SO₄ so, X is (NH₄)₂[Pb(CH₃COO)₄]
Pattern Recognition

Lead forms a yellow precipitate of lead chromate (A), which is amphoteric and dissolves in excess NaOH to form soluble plumbate(II) complex (B). It also forms a stable soluble complex with ammonium acetate (X).

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: p-Block Elements Class 12 Chemistry: d and f Block Elements

Q55 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Group 13 and 14 Compounds
Given below are two statements : Statement I : The number of pairs among [SiO₂, CO₂], [SnO, SnO₂], [PbO, PbO₂] and [GeO, GeO₂], which contain oxides that are both amphoteric is 2. Statement II : BF₃ is an electron deficient molecule can act as a lewis acid, forms adduct with NH₃ and has a trigonal planar geometry. In the light of the above statement, choose the correct answer from the option given below.
  • A. Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
  • B. Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
  • C. Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
  • D. Statement I is false Statement II is true.

Solution

Core Logic

Evaluating Statement I:

  • SiO₂, CO₂, GeO, GeO₂ are acidic in nature.
  • SnO, SnO₂, PbO, PbO₂ are amphoteric in nature.
  • Therefore, the pairs [SnO, SnO₂] and [PbO, PbO₂] contain oxides that are both amphoteric. Number of such pairs = 2. Statement I is True.

    Evaluating Statement II:

  • BF₃ has 6 electrons in the outermost shell of the central Boron atom. It is electron-deficient and acts as a Lewis acid.
  • It accepts a lone pair from Lewis bases like NH₃ to form an adduct.
  • In BF₃, Boron is sp² hybridized, resulting in a trigonal planar geometry. Statement II is True.
Step 1: Conclusion

Both statements are factually correct.

Pattern Recognition

Oxides of heavier Group 14 elements (Sn, Pb) are typically amphoteric in both their +2 and +4 oxidation states. BF₃ is the quintessential Lewis acid.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: p-Block Elements Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Q70 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Chromyl Chloride Test
On heating a mixture of common salt and K₂Cr₂O₇ in equal amount along with concentrated H₂SO₄ in a test tube, a gas is evolved. Formula of the gas evolved and oxidation state of the central metal atom in the gas respectively are: (1) CrO₂Cl₂ and +5 (2) CrO₂Cl₂ and +6 (3) Cr₂O₂Cl₂ and +6 (4) Cr₂O₂Cl₂ and +3
  • A. (1) CrO₂Cl₂ and +5
  • B. (2) CrO₂Cl₂ and +6
  • C. (3) Cr₂O₂Cl₂ and +6
  • D. (4) Cr₂O₂Cl₂ and +3

Solution

Core Logic

This is the classic Chromyl Chloride test:

4NaCl + K₂Cr₂O₇ + 6H₂SO₄ 2KHSO₄ + 2CrO₂Cl₂ + 4NaHSO₄ + 3H₂O

In chromyl chloride (CrO₂Cl₂), chromium is in the +6 oxidation state.

Step 1: Final Conclusion

The gas is CrO₂Cl₂ and the oxidation state of Cr is +6, corresponding to option (2).

Pattern Recognition

Sees: qualitative analysis test for chloride ions (chromyl chloride test). Trap: Confusing oxidation state of chromium in dichromate versus chromyl chloride.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: p-Block Elements

Q55 jee_main_2026_22_january_morning Ionization Enthalpy Trends
A 'p'-block element (E) and hydrogen form a binary cation (EHₓ)⁺, while EH₃ on treatment with K₂HgI₄ in alkaline medium gives a precipitate of basic mercury(II)amido-iodine. Given below are first ionisation enthalpy values (kJ mol⁻¹) for first element each from group 13, 14, 15 and 16. Identify the correct first ionisation enthalpy value for element E.
  • A. 1312
  • B. 1086
  • C. 1402
  • D. 801

Solution

Related Formula
NH₃ + K₂HgI₄ + KOH arrow HgO· Hg(NH₂)I + KI + H₂O
Core Logic

The reagent K₂HgI₄ in alkaline medium is Nessler's reagent. It gives a brown precipitate (iodide of Millon's base) with ammonia (NH₃). Therefore, the compound EH₃ is NH₃, and the element (E) is Nitrogen (N). The binary cation is the ammonium ion (NH₄^+).

We need to find the first ionization enthalpy of Nitrogen among the first elements of groups 13 (B), 14 (C), 15 (N), and 16 (O). Due to its stable half-filled 2p³ configuration, Nitrogen has a remarkably high first ionization energy, higher than Oxygen. The order is: B < C < O < N. Among the given values (801, 1086, 1312, 1402), 1402 kJ mol⁻¹ is the highest and corresponds to Nitrogen.

Step 1: Final Conclusion

Element E is Nitrogen, and its correct first ionization enthalpy is 1402 kJ mol⁻¹.

Pattern Recognition

Always remember the ionization energy exception across period 2: N > O and Be > B due to stable half-filled and fully-filled orbitals.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties Class 12 Chemistry: p-Block Elements

Q64 jee_main_2026_22_january_morning Hydrides and Bond Properties
Given below are two statements: Statement I: The halogen that makes longest bond with hydrogen in HX, has the smallest covalent radius in its group. Statement II: A group 15 element's hydride EH₃ has the lowest boiling point among corresponding hydrides of other group 15 elements. The maximum covalency of that element E is 4. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.
  • A. Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
  • B. Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
  • C. Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
  • D. Statement I is true but Statement II is false.

Solution

Core Logic

Evaluate Statement I: The bond length of HX increases down the group (HF < HCl < HBr < HI) due to the increasing atomic radius of the halogen. Therefore, the halogen making the longest bond is Iodine (I). However, Iodine has the largest covalent radius in the group, not the smallest. Thus, Statement I is false.

Evaluate Statement II: In group 15 hydrides, the boiling point order is PH₃ < AsH₃ < NH₃ < SbH₃ < BiH₃. The hydride with the lowest boiling point is PH₃ (Phosphine). The maximum covalency of Phosphorus is 6 (as seen in PF₆^-) because it has empty d-orbitals, not 4. Only Nitrogen has a maximum covalency of 4. Since the element is P, statement II is also false.

Step 1: Final Conclusion

Both Statement I and Statement II are false.

Pattern Recognition

Standard p-block trends: Boiling points of hydrides show anomalies due to hydrogen bonding. NH₃, H₂O, and HF jump out of the trend. P, S, Cl hydrides mark the lowest points.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: p-Block Elements

More The p-Block Elements Questions — jee_main_2025_07_april_evening

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