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d-and f-Block Elements appeared 44 times across 3 years — 5.1% of Chemistry. This question is from Oxides and Oxoanions of Transition Metals.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 10 17 17 44

The amphoteric oxide among V₂O₃, V₂O₄ and V₂O₅ upon reaction with alkali leads to formation of an oxide anion. The oxidation state of V in the oxide anion is :

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

Oxidation state equation for an oxoanion VO₄³⁻:

x + 4(-2) = -3

Core Logic

Among the given oxides of Vanadium:

  • V₂O₃ is basic.
  • V₂O₄ is less basic / amphoteric.
  • V₂O₅ is predominantly amphoteric (reacts with both acids and alkalies).
  • When V₂O₅ reacts with an alkali, it forms the orthovanadate ion (VO₄³⁻).

Step 1: Finding the Oxidation State

In VO₄³⁻ ion:

x - 8 = -3 x = +5

Thus, the oxidation state of Vanadium in the resulting oxide anion is +5.

Pattern Recognition

As the oxidation state of a transition metal increases, its oxide shifts from basic to amphoteric to acidic. V₂O₅ has the highest oxidation state (+5) here and dissolves in alkali to retain its +5 oxidation state in VO₄³⁻.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: d- and f-Block Elements

Reference Study Guides

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

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

Q75 jee_main_2024_29_january_evening Properties of Zinc, Cadmium and Mercury
Which of the following statements are correct about Zn, Cd and Hg ? A. They exhibit high enthalpy of atomization as the d-subshell is full. B. Zn and Cd do not show variable oxidation state while Hg shows +I and +II. C. Compounds of Zn, Cd and Hg are paramagnetic in nature. D. Zn, Cd and Hg are called soft metals. Choose the most appropriate from the options given below:
  • A. B, D only
  • B. B, C only
  • C. A, D only
  • D. C, D only

Solution

Related Formula
General configuration of Group 12: (n-1)d¹⁰ ns²
Core Logic

Analyzing each statement based on inorganic chemistry principles:

  • Statement A is false: Because their d-subshell is completely full (d¹⁰), these elements do not form strong metallic bonds. As a result, they exhibit the lowest enthalpy of atomization in their respective periods.
  • Statement B is true: Zn and Cd show only a stable +2 oxidation state, whereas Hg exhibits variable states forming both +1 (as Hg₂²⁺) and +2.
  • Statement C is false: With a fully paired d¹⁰ subshell, their compounds lack unpaired electrons and are explicitly diamagnetic.
  • Statement D is true: Due to weak metallic bonds, these elements have low melting points and are classified as soft metals.
Step 1: Selection Verification

Statements B and D are true, matching choice (1).

Pattern Recognition

Group 12 metals have a full d¹⁰ subshell, leading to exceptionally weak metallic bonding, low enthalpies of atomization, and diamagnetic characteristics.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: d and f Block Elements

More d- and f-Block Elements Questions — jee_main_2025_28_jan_evening

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