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d-and f-Block Elements appeared 44 times across 3 years — 5.1% of Chemistry. This question is from Oxidizing Properties of KMnO4 and K2Cr2O7.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 10 17 17 44

Which of the following oxidation reactions are carried out by both K₂Cr₂O₇ and KMnO₄ in acidic medium? A. I^- arrow I₂ B. S²⁻ arrow S C. Fe²⁺ arrow Fe³⁺ D. I⁻ arrow IO₃⁻ E. S₂O₃²⁻ arrow SO₄²⁻ Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Solution & Explanation

Core Logic

In an acidic medium, both K₂Cr₂O₇ and KMnO₄ act as strong oxidizing agents and carry out the following transformations:

  • A: Oxidize iodide to iodine: I^- arrow I₂
  • B: Oxidize sulfide to elemental sulfur: S²⁻ arrow S
  • C: Oxidize ferrous ions to ferric ions: Fe²⁺ arrow Fe³⁺
  • For reactions D and E:

  • Iodide is oxidized to iodate (IO₃^-) by KMnO₄ primarily in a neutral or faintly alkaline medium, not acidic.
  • Thiosulfate (S₂O₃²⁻) undergoes a disproportionation/precipitation reaction in acid rather than clean oxidation to sulfate by dichromate.
  • Thus, statements A, B, and C are valid for both under acidic conditions.

Pattern Recognition

Sees: Shared oxidation products in an acidic environment. Shortcut: Remember that I^- arrow IO₃^- is the signature reaction for alkaline permanganate, allowing quick elimination of choices containing D.

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

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 The d-and f-Block Elements Questions — jee_main_2025_28_jan_morning

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