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d-and f-Block Elements appeared 45 times across 3 years — 5.2% of Chemistry. This question is from Magnetic Properties and Oxidation States.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 10 18 17 45

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 Type:
Enter a numerical value Answer: 5 to 5 +4 marks

Solution & Explanation

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

Reference Study Guides

More d- and f-Block Elements Previous-Year Questions — Page 5

Q47 jee_main_2025_04_april_morning Chemical Properties of KMnO4
KMnO₄ acts as an oxidising agent in acidic medium. 'X' is the difference between the oxidation states of Mn in reactant and product. 'Y' is the number of 'd' electrons present in the brown red precipitate formed at the end of the acetate ion test with neutral ferric chloride. The value of X + Y is ______.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 10 to 10

Solution

Core Logic

Let's resolve both components step by step:

  • Finding X: In an acidic medium, the permanganate ion (KMnO₄, where Mn is in the +7 state) is reduced to the divalent manganese cation (Mn²⁺, state +2):
  • X = 7 - 2 = 5

  • Finding Y: During qualitative salt analysis, the acetate ion reacts with neutral ferric chloride to produce a characteristic blood-red coordination solution. Boiling this solution throws down a brown-red precipitate of basic ferric acetate, [Fe(OH)₂(CH₃COO)]. In this complex, Iron retains its +3 oxidation state:
Fe³⁺ [Ar] 3d⁵ 4s⁰ Number of d-electrons (Y) = 5

Summing the values yields:

X + Y = 5 + 5 = 10
Pattern Recognition

This problem elegantly links standard redox transitions with qualitative inorganic salt tests. Remember that throughout the basic ferric acetate precipitation test, Iron remains steadily in its ferric +3 (d⁵) core configuration.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: The d- and f-Block Elements Inorganic Qualitative Analysis

Q35 jee_main_2025_24_jan_evening Magnetic Properties of Transition Metals
Match List-I with List-II.
List-I (Transition metal ion)List-II (Spin only magnetic moment (B.M.))
(A) Ti³⁺(I) 3.87
(B) V²⁺(II) 0.00
(C) Ni²⁺(III) 1.73
(D) Sc³⁺(IV) 2.84
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
  • A. \text{(A)-(III), (B)-(I), (C)-(II), (D)-(IV)}
  • B. \text{(A)-(III), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(II)}
  • C. \text{(A)-(IV), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(I)}
  • D. \text{(A)-(II), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(III)}

Solution

Related Formula
μ = √(n(n+2)) B.M.

where n represents the number of unpaired electrons.

Core Logic

Let's calculate the number of unpaired d-electrons (n) and the resulting spin-only magnetic moment for each transition metal ion:

  • (A) Ti³⁺:
  • Electronic configuration = [Ar] 3d¹ arrow n = 1

μ = √(1(1+2)) = √(3) ≈ 1.73 B.M. arrow (III)
  • (B) V²⁺:
  • Electronic configuration = [Ar] 3d³ arrow n = 3

μ = √(3(3+2)) = √(15) ≈ 3.87 B.M. arrow (I)
  • (C) Ni²⁺:
  • Electronic configuration = [Ar] 3d⁸. The 3d subshell has 3 paired orbitals and 2 unpaired orbitals arrow n = 2

μ = √(2(2+2)) = √(8) ≈ 2.84 B.M. arrow (IV)
  • (D) Sc³⁺:
  • Electronic configuration = [Ar] 3d⁰ arrow n = 0

μ = 0.00 B.M. arrow (II)

Matching these values yields the sequence: (A)-(III), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(II).

Pattern Recognition

Shortcut: The digit before the decimal point in a spin-only magnetic moment matches the number of unpaired electrons (n). For example, a value of 3.87 B.M. means there are exactly 3 unpaired electrons.

Chapter Mix

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

Q31 jee_main_2025_24_jan_morning Lanthanoids Oxidation States
Which of the following ions is the strongest oxidizing agent? [Atomic Number of Ce=58, Eu=63, Tb=65, Lu=71]
  • A. Lu³⁺
  • B. Eu²⁺
  • C. Tb⁴⁺
  • D. Ce³⁺

Solution

Core Logic

The most common and chemically robust oxidation state for lanthanoid elements is +3. Consequently, ions existing in unstable +4 oxidation states exhibit a pronounced thermodynamic driving force to capture electrons and revert to the +3 form.

Among the options, Tb⁴⁺ acts as a potent oxidizing agent due to this stability drive.

Pattern Recognition

Ln⁴⁺ forms naturally act as electron grabbers to sink back into the thermodynamic sweet spot of +3 states.

Chapter Mix

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

Q37 jee_main_2025_24_jan_morning Preparation and Properties of Potassium Permanganate
Preparation of potassium permanganate from MnO₂ involves two step process in which the 1st step is a reaction with KOH and KNO₃ to produce
  • A. K₄[Mn(OH)₆]
  • B. K₃MnO₄
  • C. KMnO₄
  • D. K₂MnO₄

Solution

Related Formula
2MnO₂ + 4KOH + O₂ KNO₃ 2K₂MnO₄ + 2H₂O
Core Logic

The standard preparation of potassium permanganate begins with the oxidative fusion of pyrolusite ore (MnO₂). Fusing the solid reactant directly along an alkaline base payload (KOH) combined explicitly with an oxidizing carrier (KNO₃) yields the intermediate green product, potassium manganate (K₂MnO₄).

Pattern Recognition

Step 1 yields the +6 green compound (K₂MnO₄); the subsequent Step 2 steps oxidize this intermediate to synthesize the target deep purple +7 agent (KMnO₄).

Chapter Mix

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

Q27 jee_main_2025_28_jan_evening Oxides and Oxoanions of Transition Metals
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 :
  • A. +3
  • B. +7
  • C. +5
  • D. +4

Solution

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

More d- and f-Block Elements Questions — jee_main_2025_28_jan_evening

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