Main Group Elements

NET/JRF Previous Years’ Question

Q1. Alkali metal superoxides are obtained by the reaction of [NET June 2011]
(a) Oxygen with alkali metals in liquid ammonia
(b) Water with alkali metals in liquid ammonia
(c) H 2 O 2 With alkali metals

(d) H 2 O 2 With alkali metals in liquid ammonia

Q2. H 2 O2 Reduces [NET June 2011]
3-
(A) Fe CN
6
(B) KIO4 (c) Ce SO4 2
(d) SO32

(a) A and B only (b) B and C only (c) C and D onl y (d) B and D only
Q3. Match List-I (compounds) with List-II (application) and select the correct answer using the codes given
below the lists. [NET June 2011]

List – I List-II
(A) Trisodium phosphate (i) Plasticizer
(B) Triaryl phosphates (ii) Water softener
(C) Triethylphosphate (iii) Toothpaste
(D) Calcium hydrogen phosphate (iv) Insecticides

(a) (A)-ii (B)-i (C)-iv (D)-iii

(b) (A) - i (B)-ii (C)-iv (D)-iii
(c) (A)-ii (B)-iii (C)-iv (D)-i
(d) (A)-iii (B)-i (C)-ii (D)-IV
Q4. Among the following, the number of anhydrides of acids are [NET June 2011]
CO,No,N2O,B2O3 ,N2O5 ,SO3 And P4 O10

(a) 3 (b) 4 (c) 5 (d) 6

Q5. Lewis acidity of BCl3 ,BPh 3 and BMe3 with respect to pyridine follows the order [NET Dec. 2011]

(a) BCl3 >BPh 3 >BMe3 (b) BMe3 >BPh 3 >BCl3

(c) BPh 3 >BMe3 >BCl3 (d) BCl3 >BMe3 >BPh 3

Q6. Among the following pairs [NET Dec. 2011]

(1) oxygen-sulfur (2) nitrogen – phosphorus
(3) Phosphorus arsenic. (4) chlorine-iodine
Those in which the first ionization energies differ by more than 300kJmole-1 are
(a) (1) and (3) only (b) (1) and (2) only (3) (2) and (3) only (d) (3) and (4)
Q7. The reaction between NH 4 Br and (Na metal in liquid ammonia (solvent) results in the products
[NET Dec. 2011]
(a) NaBr,HBr (b) NaBr,H2 (c) H 2 ,HBr (d) HBr,H 2

Q8. The material that exhibits the highest electrical conductivity among the following sulfur-nitrogen
compounds is [NET Dec. 2011]
(a) S4 N 4 (b) S7 NH (c) S2 N 2 (d) SN x

Q9. A sodalite cage in zeolites is [NET Dec. 2011]

(a) a truncated tetrahedron (b) an icosahedron

(c) a truncated octahedron (d) a dodecahedron.

Q10. The final product(s) of the reaction P OR 3

R X is/are [NET Dec. 2011]
(a) [R RPO OR ]X and RX (b) R PO OR X
2 2

(c) R PROz OR X (d) ROR and P OR X

2

Q11. At any temperature for the following reaction (D and T are deuterium and tritium respectively) correct
statements is : [NET Dec. 2011]
(A) HCl+F HF+Cl, (B) DCl+F DF+Cl, (C) TCl+F TF+Cl
(a) (A) is fastest (b) (B) is fastest (c) (C) is fastest
(d) All the above reaction have the same rate constant.
Q12. The styx code of B4 H10 is: [NET Dec. 2011]
(a) 4120 (b) 4220 (c) 4012 (d) 3203

Q13. Bayer’s process involves.

(a) Synthesis of B2 H6 from NaBH 4 (b) Synthesis of NaBH 4 from borax

(c) Synthesis of NaBH 4 from B2 H6 (d) Synthesis of B3 N3H6 from B2 H6 .

Q14. The size of the d orbitals in Si,P,S and Cl follows the order [NET June 2012]

(a) Cl>S>P>Si (b) Cl>P>S>Si (c) P>S>Si>Cl (d) Si>P>S>Cl

Q15. The strength of p π -d x bonding in E- O E = Si,P,S and C follows the order [NET June 2012]

(a) Si O>P O>S O > Cl O (b) P O > Si O>S O > Cl O

(c) S O > Cl O>P O > Si O (d) Cl O>S O>P O > Si O
Q16. The quantitative determination of N 2 H 4 with KIO3 proceeds in a mixture of H2O/CCl4 as follows
[NET June 2012]
N2 H4 +KlO3 +2HCl N2 +KCl+ICl+3H2O

The end point for the titrimetric reaction is:

(a) Consumption of N 2 H 4 (b) ICI formation
(c) Disappearance of the yellow color due to Cl2 in CCl4 layer

(d) Displacement of the rod color due to I 2 in CCl4 layer.

Q17. Among the halides, NCl3 A ,PCl3 B and AsCl3 C , those which produce two different acids.

[NET June 2012]

(a) A and B (b) A and C (c) B and C (d) A , B and C
Q18. The decreasing order of dipole moment of molecules is [NET June 2012]
(a) NF3 >NH3 >H2O (b) NH3 >NF2 >H 2O (c) H2O>NH3 >NF3 (d) H2O>NF3 >NH3

Q19.

Q20. The most used acid catalyst in oil industry and the relevant process are respectively
[NET June 2012]
(a) Aluminophosphate and reforming (b) Aluminosilicate and cracking
(c) Aluminosilicate and reforming (d) Aluminophosphate and cracking
Q21. The total number of Cu - Obonds present in the crystalline copper(II) acetate monohydrate is:
[NET Dec. 2012]
(a) 10 (b) 6 (c) 8 (d) 4
Q22. The electronegativity difference is the highest for the pair [NET Dec. 2012]
(a) Li,Cl (b) K,F (c) Na,Cl (d) Li,F

Q23. Boric acid is a weak acid in aqueous solution. But its acidity increases significantly in the presence of
ethylene glycol, because [NET Dec. 2012]

(a) ethylene glycol releases additional H +

(b) B OH
-
is consumed in forming a compound with ethylene glycol.
4

(c) ethylene glycol neutralizes H + released by boric acid

(d) Boric acid dissociates better in the mixed-solvent.
Q24. Silicates with continuous 3D frame work are [NET Dec. 2012]
(a) Neso-silicates (b) Soro-silicates (c) Phyllo-silicates (d) Tecto-silicates
Q25. Which of the following used as propellant for whipping creams? [NET June 2013]
(a) N 2 O (b) NO (c) N 2O3 (d) N 2O5

Q26. Flame proof fabrices contain [NET June 2013]

(a) H2 NC O NH2 .Na 2SO4 (b) H2 NC S NH2 .Na 2SO4

(c) H2 NC O NH 2 .H3PO4 (d) H2 NC S NH2 .H3PO4
Q27. Among the compounds A-D, those which hydrolyse easily are [NET June 2013]
 (a) NCl3 (b) NF3 (c) BiCl3 (d) PCl3

Q28. Which of the pairs will generally result in tetrahedxral coordination complexes, when ligands are Cl- or

OH- [NET June 2013]

(A) Be II ,Ba II (B) Ba II ,Co II (C) Co II ,Zn II (D) Be II ,Zn II

(a) A and B (b) B and C (c) C and D (d) A and D
Q29. The correct equilibrium order for the interconversion of different forms of SiO2 is [NET June 2013]

(a) Tridymite quartz cristobalite liquid SiO2

(b) quartz Tridymite cristobalite liquid SiO2

(c) quartz cristobalite tridymite liquid SiO2

(d) Cristobalite tridymite quartz liquids SiO2

Q30. Which of the following pairs has the highest difference in their first ionization energy ?
(a) Xe,Cs (b) Kr,Rb (c) Ar,K (d) Ne,Na

Q31. Electron change in reduction of Ce SO4 2 KMnO4 ,HNO2 and I 2 with hydrazine in acidic medium,

respectively is [NET June 2013]

(a) 1e,1e,2e and 4e (b) 1e,3e,2e and 4e (c) 2e,3e,1e and 4e (d) 2e,4e,1e and 3e
Q32. Among the oxides of nitrogen, N2O3 ,N2O4 and N 2O5 , the compound(s) having N-N bond is/are
[NET June 2013]
(a) N 2O4 and N 2O5 (b) N 2O3 and N 2O5 (c) N 2O3 and N 2O4 (d) N 2O5 only

Q33. Commonly used scintillator for measuring radiation is [NET Dec. 2013]

(a) NaI AI (b) NaI TI (c) CsI TI (d) CsI AI

Q34. Among the molten alkali metals, the example of an immiscible pair (in all proportions) is
[NET Dec. 2013]
(a) K and Na (b) K and Cs (c) Li and Cs (d) Rb and Cs
Q35. Among the following, an example of a hypervalent species is [NET Dec. 2013]
-
(a) BF3 .OEt 2 (b) SF4 (c) PF6 (d) Sb2S3

Q36. Treatment of CIF3 with SbF5 leads to the formation of a/an [NET Dec. 2013]

(a) Polymeric material (b) covalent cluster

(c) Ionic compound (d) lewis acid-base adduct
Q37. The reason for the chemical inertness of gaseous nitrogen at room temperature is best given by its
[NET Dec. 2013]
(a) High bonding energy only (b) electronic configuration
(c) HOMO-LUMO gap only (d) high bond energy and HOMO-LUMO gap
Q38. Two tautomeric forms of phosphorus acid are [NET Dec. 2013]

Q39. In a specific reaction, hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene, N3P3Cl6 was reacted with a metal fluoride to

obtain mixed halo derivatives namely N3 P3Cl5 F A ,N3 P3Cl 4 F2 B N3P3Cl3F3 C ,

N3P3Cl2 F4 D ,N3 P3ClF5 E . Compositions among these which can give isomeric products are

[NET Dec. 2013]

(a) A,B and C (b) B,C and D (c) C,D and E (d) E,A and B
Q40. Xenon forms several fluorides and oxofluorides which exihibit acidic behaviour. The correct sequence of
descending Lewis acidity among the given species is represented by [NET Dec. 2013]
(a) XeF6 >XeOF4 >XeF4 >XeO2 F2 (b) XeOF4 >XeO2 F2 >XeOF4 >XeF6

(c) XeF4 >XeO2 F2 >XeOF4 >XeF6 (d) XeF4 >XeF6 >XeOF4 >XeO2 F2

Q41. The gases SO2 and SO3 were reacted separately with CIF gas under ambient conditions. The major

products expected from the two reactions respectively, are [NET Dec. 2013]
(a) SOF2 And ClOSO2 F (b) SOF2 and SO2 F2

(c) SO2CIF And SO2 F2 (d) SO2CIF and ClOSO2 F

Q42. The correct statement for ozone is [NET Dec. 2013]

(a) It absorbs radiations in wavelength region 290 320nm .
(b) It is mostly destroyed by NO radical in atmosphere
(c) It is nontoxic even at 100PPm level
(d) Its concentration near poles is high due to its paramagnetic nature.
Q43. The solid state structure of aluminum fluoride is [NET Dec. 2013]

Q44. The orbital interaction shown below represent [NET Dec. 2013]

(a) CH3 - Al Interactions in Al2 CH3

6
(b) B-H interactions in B2 H 6

(c) CH3 -Li Interactions in Li 4 CH3 (d) CH3CH2 -Mg interacts in EtMgBr. OEt 2
4 2

Q45. Ozone present in upper atmosphere protects people on the earth [NET June 2014]
(a) due to its diamagnetic nature
(b) Due to its blue color
(c) due to absorption of radiation of wavelength at 255nm

(d) By destroying chlorofluoro carbons

Q46. Chromite are on fusion with sodium carbonate gives [NET June 2014]
(a) Na 2CrO4 and Fe2O3 (b) Na 2Cr2O7 and Fe2O3

(c) Cr2 Co3

3
and Fe OH 3
(d) Na 2CrO4 and Fe2 CO3 3

Q47. The correct order of decreasing electronegativity of the following atoms is,
 [NET June 2014]
(a) As>Al>Ca>S (b) S>As>Al>Ca (c) Al>Ca>S>As (d) S>Ca>As>Al

Q48. The correct order of the size of S,S2- ,S2+ and S4+ species is, [NET June 2014]
2+ 4+ 2- 2+ 4+ 2-
(a) S>S >S >S (b) S >S >S >S (c) S >S>S >S (d) S >S2- >S>S2+
2 2+ 4+ 4+

Q49. Among the following species, A Ni II as dimethylglyoximare, B Al III as oxinate, C Ag I as

chloride, those that precipitate with the area hydrolysis method are
(a) A,B and C (b) A and B (c) A and C (d) B and C.
Q50. Reactions of elemental as with hot and conc. HNO3 and H 2SO4 , respectively, give
[NET June 2014]

(a) As 4O6 and As 2 SO4 3

(b) As NO3 and As2 SO4
5 3

(c) As 4O6 and H3AsO4 (d) H3AsO4 and As 4O6

Q51. Among F- ,Na + ,O2- and Mg 2+ ions, those having the highest and the lowest ionic radii respectively are
[NET Dec. 2014]
2- + - 2-
(a) O and Na (b) F and Mg 2+
(c) O and Mg 2+
(d) Mg 2+ and O2-
Q52. The correct order of the retention of cations on a sulfonated cation exchange resin column is
[NET Dec. 2014]
(a) Ag + >K + >Na + >Li + (b) K + >Na + >Ag + >Li +

(c) Li + >Na + >K + >Ag + (d) Li + >Na + >Ag + >K +

Q53. 12 – Crown- 4 binds with the alkali metal ions in the following order: [NET Dec. 2014]
Li + >>Na + >K + >Cs+ . It is due to the
(a) Right size of cation (b) Change in entropy being positive
(c) Conformational flexibility of crown ether (d) Hydrophobicity of crown ether
Q54. The main product of the reaction of equimolar quantities of XeF6 with NaNO3 are [NET Dec. 2014]

(a) XeOF4 ,NaF and NO2 F (b) XeO2 F2 ,NaF,NOF and F2

(c) XeOF4 ,NaNO2 and F2 (d) XeF4 ,NaNO2 and F2 O

Q55. The species having the strongest gas phase proton affinity among the following, [NET June 2015]
(a) N 3- (b) NF3 (c) NH3 (d) N CH3 3

Q56. All forms of phosphorus upon melting, exist as [NET June 2015]
Q57. The magnitude of the stability constants for K + ion complexes of the following supra-molecular hosts
follows the order, [NET June 2015]

(a) B>A>C (b) C>A>B (c) A>B>C (d) C>B>A

Q58. The oxoacid of phosphorus having P atoms in 4, 3 and 4 oxidation states respectively is
[NET June 2015]

(a) H5 P3O10 (b) H5 P3O7 (c) H 5 P3 O8 (d) H5 P3O9

Q59. Considering the inert pair effect on lead, the most probable structure of

PbR 2 R 2.6 C6 H3 2, 6 Pr2 C6 H3 2

is [NET June 2015]
Q60. The reaction of SbCl3 with 3 equivalents of EtMgBr yields compound X. Two equivalents of SbI3 react
with one equivalent of X to give Y. In the solid state, Y has a 1 D – polymeric structure in which each Sb is
in a square pyramidal environment. Compounds X and Y respectively, are [NET June 2015]

(a) SbEt 3 and Sb Et I2

n
(b) Sb Et 2 Cl and Sb Et 2 Cl n

(c) SbEt 3 and SbEt 2 Br2 n (d) Sb Et Br2 and SbEt I Br

n

12-
Q61. The ring size and the number of linked tetrahedral present in Si6 O18 are, respectively

[NET Dec. 2015]

(a) 6 and 6 (b) 12 and 6 (c) 12 and 12 (d) 6 and 12
Q62. Consider the following reaction: [NET Dec. 2015]

N P Cl +6HNMe N P Cl NMe +3
3 3 6 2 3 3 3 2 3
A
Me2 NH•HCl
The number of possible isomers for A is
(a) 4 (b) 3 (c) 2 (d) 5
Q63. The reaction of BCl3 with NH4Cl gives product A which upon reduction by NaBH 4 gives product B.
Product B upon reacting with HCl affords compound C, which is [NET Dec. 2015]
(a) Cl3B3 N3H9 (b) ClBNH
3

(c) HBNH 3 (d) ClH B3 N3 ClH

3 3

Q64. The formation constant for the complexation of M+ M=Li,Na,K and Cs with cryptand, C222
follows the order [NET Dec. 2015]
+ + + + + + + +
(a) Li < Cs Na < K (b) Li < Na < K < Cs
+ + + +
(c) K < Cs < Li < Na (d) Cs+ < K + < Li + < Na +
Q65. The number of P-S and P-P bonds in the compound P4S3 are, respectively [NET June 2016]

(a) 6 And 3 (b) 4 and 3 (c) 3 and 6 (d) 6 and 2

Q66. Which of the following react(s) with AsF5 in liquid BrF3 ? [NET June 2016]

(a) XeF6 Only (b) XeF6 and XeF4 (c) XeF6 and XeF2 (d) XeF4 and XeF2

Q67. Among KF,SnF4 , and SbF5 solute(s) that increase(s) the concentration of BrF4- in BrF3 , is/are

[NET June 2016]

(a) KF only (b) KF and SnF4 (c) SnF4 and SbF5 (d) KF,SnF4 and SbF5

Q68. Consider the following statements for KC8

(A) It is paramagnetic, (B) It is eclipsed layer structure, (C) Its electrical conductivity is greater than that of
graphite. The correct answer is [NET Dec. 2016]
(a) A and B (b) A and C (c) B and C (d) A,B and C
Q69. Consider the following choose the correct product that are formed in the reaction of S2 Cl2 with ammonia

in CCl4 : [NET Dec. 2016]

NH4 Cl A ,S4 N4 B ,S8 C , And S3 N3Cl3 D

(a) A, B and C (b) A, B and D (c) B, C and D (d) A, C and D

Q70. The final product(s) of the reaction of archno borane, B4 H10 with NMe3 is/are [NET Dec. 2016]
+
(a) BH3 .NMe3 and B3H7 .NMe3 (b) BH2 NMe3
2
B3H8
-

+
(c) B4 H10 .NMe3 (d) B4 H10 .NMe3 and BH2 NMe3
2
B3H8
-

Q71. Both potassium and sulfuric acid form intercalation compounds with graphite. The graphite layers are
[NET June 2017]
(a) Reduced in both the cases
(b) Oxidized in both the cases
(c) Oxidized in the case of potassium and reduced in the case of sulphuric acid
(d) Reduced in the case of potassium and oxidized in the case of sulphuric acid
Q72. Choose the incorrect statements for the phosphomolybdate anino, PMO12O40
3-
. [NET Dec. 2017]

(a) It has a Keggin structure.

(b) Phosphorus is in +5 oxidation state
(c) It is extremely basic
+
(d) It forms crystalline precipitates with R 4 N (R = bulky alkyl or aryl group)
Q73. A binary fluoride Z of xenon combines with two moles of NaF to give a product which on heating to
1000C affords compound A. The alkaline hydrolysis of A gives perenate salt. z and A are respectively
[NET June 2018

(a) XeF2 and XeF4 (b) XeF4 and XeF6

(c) XeF6 and XeF4 (d) XeF6 and XeF6

Q74. Consider the following statements for Be2Cl4 I ,B2Cl4 II and Ga 2Cl4 III :

[NET June 2018]

(A) There is an M-M M=Be,B,Ga bond in all

(B) The oxidation state of Be,B and Ga is 2

(C) The oxidation around the central atom is planar for all

(D) The geometry around the central atom is planar in I and II only
The correct statements(s) is/are
(a) A,B and C (b) A and B (c) D only (d) B,C and D

Q75. The reaction of decaborane B10 H14 with acetylene in the presence of Et 2S gives [NET Dec. 2016]

(a) C2 B10 H12 (b) C2 B8 H10 (c) C2 B10 H14 (d) C2 B9 H11

Q76. In compound N3 P3 F6 , the geometry around nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively, are [NET Dec. 2018]

(a) Pyramidal and tetrahedral (b) planar and tetrahedral

(c) Pyramidal and planar (d) planar and trigonal bipyramidal
Q77. The number of 2c-2e bonds (‘x’) of a molecule is related to ‘N’ (valence electrons) and ‘n’ (skeletal atoms)

by x 8n N / 2. For P4S3 , the values of x, N and n, respectively, are [NET Dec. 2018]

(a) 7, 38.9 (b) 7,24,9 (c) 9, 38, 7 (d) 9, 24, 7

Q78. B2 H 6 Reacts with [NET Dec. 2018]

(A) Water to give boric acid and H2 (B) oxygen to give B2 O 3 and H2

(C) Water to give boric acid and H2O (D) oxygen to give B2 O3 and H 2 O
Correct statements from the above are
(a) A and B (b) A and D (c) B and C (d) B and D
 Answer Key
1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (b) 5. (a) 6. (b) 7. (b)
8. (d) 9. (c) 10. (a) 11. (a) 12. (c) 13. (b) 14. (d)
15. (d) 16. (d) 17. (c) 18. (c) 19. (a) 20. (b) 21. (a)
22. (b) 23. (b) 24. (d) 25. (a) 26. (c) 27. (d) 28. (c)
29. (b) 30. (d) 31. (a) 32. (c) 33. (b) 34. (c) 35. (c)
36. (c) 37. (d) 38. (a) 39. (b) 40. (a) 41. (d) 42. (a)
43. (c) 44. (c) 45. (c) 46. (a) 47. (b) 48. (c) 49. (b)
50. (d) 51. (c) 52. (a) 53. (a) 54. (a) 55. (a) 56. (a)
57. (c) 58. (c) 59. (a) 60. (a) 61. (b) 62. (b) 63. (a)
64. (a) 65. (a) 66. (c) 67. (a) 68. (d) 69. (a) 70. (a)
71. (d) 72. (c) 73. (d) 74. (c) 75. (a) 76. (b) 77. (c)
78. (b)

GATE Previous’ Question

Q1. C60 Has [GATE 2000]

(a) 14 pentagons and 18 hexagons (b) 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons

(c) 10 pentagons and 20 hexagons (d) 12 pentagons and 18 hexagons
Q2. The order of acidity in boron trihalides is [GATE 2000]
(a) BF3 > BCl3 > BBr3 (b) BBr3 > BCl3 > BF3

(c) BF3 > BBr3 > BCl3 (d) BBr3 > BF3 > BCl3

Q3. Icosahedral structure is generally exhibited by [GATE 2011]

(a) C (b) Si (c) Ge (d) B

Q4. The first ionization potential of Mg,Al,P and S follows the order [GATE 2001]

(a) Mg < Al < P < S (b) Al < Mg < P < S (c) Al < Mg < S < P (d) Mg < Al < S < P
Q5. Using chlorobenzene as solvent, the reagents needed for an efficient synthesis of borazine are
(a) NH 4Cl and BCl3 (b) NH4Cl,BCl3 and NaBH4

(c) NH 4Cl and NaBH 4 (d) NH3 and BCl3

Q6. The structure of P4 N 4Cl8 is puckered whereas that of P4 N 4 F8 is planar because [GATE 2003]

(a) F is more electronegative than Cl

(b) F is smaller in size than that of Cl .
(c) F is more polarizable than Cl
 (d) Extent of electron delocalization is more in P4 N4Cl6 than in P4 N4 F6
n-
Q7. The overall charge present on the cycle silicate anion Si6 O18 is [GATE 2004]

(a) 6 (b) 12 (c) 18 (d) 24

Q8. The reagents required for the synthesis of cyclic phosphazene N4 P4Cl8 are [GATE 2004]

(a) PCl5 and NH3 (b) POCl3 and NH 4Cl

(c) POCl3 and NH3 (d) PCl5 and NH 4Cl

Q9. The perxenate ion XeO4-

4
can be prepared by [GATE 2004]

(a) direct reaction of Xe with oxygen (b) reaction of XeF6 with oxygen

(c) hydrolysis of XeF6 in acidic medium (d) hydrolysis of XeF6 in basic medium.

Q10. Triplet superphosphate is made by treating phosphate rock with [GATE 2005]

(a) conc. H2SO4 (b) conc. HNO3 (c) conc. HCl (d) conc.H3 PO4

Q11. Among the following, the incorrect statements about SiC is that [GATE 2005]
(a) It is known as corundum
(b) It is prepared by reducing quartz with a slight excess of coke in an electric furnace at 2000-25000C

(c) Pure SiC is almost colourless or pale yellow

(d) Its hardness is slightly less than diamond.
Q12. The number of hydroxy OH groups present in phosphorus acid is: [GATE 2005]

(a) One (b) Two (c) Three (d) Four

Q13. Column – I Column – II
P. Ostwald process I. Manufacture of nickel
Q. Solvay process II. Manufacture of nitric acid

R. Mond process III. Manufacture of Na 2CO3

S. Frash process IV. Manufacture of silicones
V. Manufacture of caustic soda.
VI. Mining of elemental sulfur.
(a) (b) (c) (d)

P-I P-II P-II P-III

Q-III Q-III Q-I Q-II
R-II R-I R-IV R-V
S-VI S-VI S-V (d) S-VI

Q14. Mg6Si 4O10 OH 8 is commercially known as [GATE 2006]

 (a) Asbestos (b) water-glass (c) soda-glass (d) zeolite
Q15. The series with the correct order of decreasing ionic size is [GATE 2006]
+ 2+ 2 - 2 - + 2+
(a) K > Ca > S > Cl (b) S > Cl >K > Ca
(c) K + > Cl- > Ca 2+ > S2- (d) Cl- > K + > S2- > Ca 2+
Q16. When Al4C3 and Mg 2C3 reacts with H 2O , then major products formed respectively, are

(a) ethyne and ethane (b) methane and propyne [GATE 2006]
(c) Propane and propene (d) methane and propene
Q17. The reaction between Pr6O11 and dilute HCl leads to the formation of [GATE 2006]

(a) A coloured solution

(b) Only a black precipitate PrO2

(c) A black precipitate of PrO2 and soluble PrCl3

(d) Only soluble PrCl3

Q18. BaTi Si3O9 Is a class of [GATE 2007]

(a) ortho silicate (b) cyclic silicate (c) chain silicate (d) sheet silicate
Q19. Boric acid in aqueous solution in presence of glycerol behaves as a strong acid due to the formation of
[GATE 2007]
(a) an anionioc metal-chelate (b) borate anion
(c) glycerate ion (d) a charge transfer complex
Q20. The Lewis acid character of BF3 ,BCl3 and BBr3 , follows the order [GATE 2007]
(a) BF3 < BBr3 < BCl3 (b) BCl3 < BBr3 < BF3
(c) BF3 < BCl3 < BBr3 (d) BBr3 < BCl3 > BF3

Linked Answer Type Q.21 and Q.22

Q21. The reaction of ammonium chloride with BCl3 at 1400C at followed by treatment with NaBH4 gives the
product the formula of X is [GATE 2007]
(a) B3 N3H3 (b) B3 N6 H6 (c) B3 N3H12 (d) BH-NH n
Q22. Which of the following statements is/are true of X? [GATE 2007]
(I) X is not isoelectronic with benzene
(II) X undergoes addition reaction with HCl

(III) Electrophilic substitution reaction on X is much faster than that of benzene

(IV) X undergoes polymerization at 900C
(a) I and II (b) Only II (c) II and III (d) I and I
Q23. The reaction of Al4C3 with water leads to the formation of [GATE 2008]
(a) Methane (b) propyne (c) propene (d) propane

Q24. The correct statements about C60 is [GATE 2008]

(a) C 60 is soluble in benzene

 (b) C 60 Does not react with tert-butyllithium
(c) C 60 is made up of 10 five-membered and 15 six-membered rings
(d) two adjacent five-membered rings share a common edge.
Q25. The reaction of phosgene with an excess of NH3 produces [GATE 2009]
(a) HN=C=O (b) H2 N C Cl =O (c) H2 N C=0
2
(d) H 2 N CCl2
2

Linked Answer type Q.26 and Q.27

Triphosphazene is prepared by reacting X and Y in equimolar ratio at 120-1500C using appropriate
solvent [GATE 2009]
Q26. The reaction X and Y, respectively, are
(a) PCl3 ;NH3 (b) PCl5 ;NH3 (c) PCl5 ;NH4Cl (d) PCl3 ;NH4Cl

Q27. The structure of triphosphazene is

Q28. Pyrozenes are a class of silicates minerals, which exhibit a polymeric chain structure, as shown below
[GATE 2010]

It simplest repeat unit is [GATE 2010]

4-
(a) SiO4 (b) SiO3
2-
(c) Si 2 O7
6-
(d) Si 4 O11
6-

Q29. Among the following pentachlorides the one which does not exist due to the ‘intertpair effect’ is
(a) PCl5 (b) BiCl5 (c) SbCl5 (d) AsCl5 [GATE 2010]

Q30. In the following reaction:

 The reagent conditions X and Y are
(a) X=BF3 ;Y= heating at 12500C (b) X=NaF;Y=heating at 2500C
(c) X=NH4 F;Y=HCL (d) X=CF3SO3H;Y=H2SO4

Q31. Among the following, the group of molecules that undergoes rapid hydrolysis is [GATE 2011]
(a) SF6 ,Al2Cl6 ,SiMe4 (b) BCl3 ,SF6 ,SiCl4

(c) BCl3 ,SiCl4 ,PCl5 (d) SF6 ,Al2Cl6 ,SiCl4

Q32. The reaction of solid XeF2 with AsF5 in 1:1 ratio affords [GATE 2011]

(a) XeF4 And AsF3 (b) XeF6 and AsF3

+ -3 + -
(c) XeF AsF6 (d) Xe2 F3 AsF6
Common data for Q.33 and Q.34:
Na 2 HPO4 And NaH2 PO4 on heating at high temperature produce a chain sodium pentaphosphate

quantitatively. [GATE 2011]

Q33. The ideal molar ratio of Na 2 HPO4 to NaH2 PO4 is:

(a) 4 :1 (b) 1: 4 (c) 3: 2 (d) 2:3

Q34. The total charge on pentaphoshate anion is:
(a) 5 (b) 3 (c) 7 (d) 9

Q35. The order of polarity of NH3 ,NF3 and BF3 is: [GATE 2012]

(a) NH3 < NF3 < BF3 (b) BF3 < NF3 < NH3
(c) BF3 < NH3 < NF3 (d) NF3 < BF3 < NH3

Q36. Among the following substituted silanes, the one that gives cross –linked silicone polymer upon hydrolysis
is [GATE 2012]
(a) CH3 4 Si (b) CH3SiCI3 (c) CH3 SiCI2
2
(d) CH3 SiCI
3

Q37. Conversion of boron trifluoride to tetrafluoroborate accompanies [GATE 2013]

(a) Increase in symmetry and bond elongation
(b) Increase in symmetry and bond contraction
(c) Decrease in symmetry and bond contraction
(d) Decrease in symmetry and bond elongation.
Common data for Q.38 and Q. 39:
Heating a mixture of ammonium chloride and sodium tetrahydridoborate gives one liquid product X ,

along with other products under ambient conditions. [GATE 2013]

Q38. Compound X is: [GATE 2013]

(a) NH4 BH4 (b) NH3 BH 2 BH 4

2

(c) N3B3H6 (d) N3B3H12

Q39. Compound X is an example of
(a) Ionic liquid (b) saturated heterocycle
(c) Molecular cage (d) unsaturated heterocycle.
0
Q40. BCl3 And NH4Cl were heated at 140 C to give compound X, which when treated with NaBH 4 gave

another compound Y. Compounds X and Y are [GATE 2014]

(a) X=B3 N3H3Cl3 And Y=B3 N3H6 (b) X=B3 N3H9Cl3 and Y=B3 N3H6

(c) X=B3 N3H3Cl3 And Y=B3 N3H12 (d) X=B3 N3Cl6 and Y=B3 N3H6

Q41. The number of S S bonds in H 2S5O6 is [GATE 2014]

Q42. The ease of formation of the adduct, NH3 .BX3 (where X=F,Cl,Br ) follows the order

[GATE 2015]
(a) BBr3 < BCl3 < BF3 (b) BCl3 < BF3 < BBr3
(c) BF3 < BCl3 < BBr3 (d) BBr3 < BF3 < BCl3

Q43. Ammonolysis of S2Cl2 in an inert solvent gives [GATE 2016]

(a) S2 N 2 (b) S2 N 2Cl (c) S2 N 2 H 4 (d) S4 N 4

Q44. The reaction of P2O5 with HNO3 and HClO4 , respectively, gives [GATE 2016]

(a) NO2 and ClO2 (b) N 2O5 and Cl2O6 (c) N 2O3 and Cl2O7 (d) N 2O5 and Cl2O7

Q45. In cyclophosphazenes, NPX2

3
X=F,Cl,Br and Me the strength of P-N - bond varies with X in the
order [GATE 2017]
(a) F > Cl > Br > Me (b) Me > F > Cl > Br (c) Br > Cl > F > Me (d) Me > Br > Cl > F
Q46. For the following reaction sequence, [GATE 2018]
(i)Δ,C6 H5Cl 3H2 O
3NH 4 Cl+3BCl3 ii LiBH4
X RT
Y

X and Yrespectively, are

(a) HB NH And H OH B NH2

3 3

(b) HB NH And HB NH 2OH

3 3

(c) NH4 H 2
BH2 3
And H OH NH2OH
3

(d) NH4 H 2 BH2 3

And HB NH 2 OH 3

Q47. The reaction of PCl3 with PhLi in 1: 3 molar ratio yields X as one of the products, which on further
treatment with CH3 I gives Y. The reaction of Y with n-BuLi gives product Z. The product X,Y and Z

respectively are [GATE 2018]

(a) PPh 4 Cl, Ph 2 P=CH2 and Ph 2 P n-Bu (b) PPh3 , Ph3PI CH3 and Ph 2 P n-Bu
3
 (c) PPh 3 , Ph 3P CH3 I and PH3P=CH3 (d) PPh 4 Cl, Ph 3P=CH2 and Ph 3P n-Bu Li

Answer Key
1. (b) 2. (b) 3. (d) 4. (c) 5. (c) 6. (b) 7. (b)
8. (d) 9. (d) 10. (b) 11. (a) 12. (b) 13. (b) 14. (a)
15. (b) 16. (b) 17. (c) 18. (b) 19. (a) 20. (c) 21. (b)
22. (b) 23. (a) 24. (a,b) 25. (c) 26. (c) 27. (d) 28. (b)
29. (b) 30. (b) 31. (c) 32. (c) 33. (d) 34. (c) 35. (b)
36. (b) 37. (a) 38. (c) 39. (d) 40. (a) 41. (4) 42. (c)
43. (d) 44. (d) 45. (a) 46. (a) 47. (c)

TIFR Previous Years’ Question

Q1. Global warming is due to increase of [TIFR 2013]
(a) Methane in atmosphere (b) CO2 in atmosphere

(c) Water vapour (d) Methane and CO2

Q2. Although both NF3 and NCl3 are covalent, NCl3 undergoes hydrolysis whereas NF3 does not because

[TIFR 2014]
(a) NF3 is more stable than NCl3 (b) dipole moment of NF3 is more than NCl3

(c) electronegativity of F > Cl (d) Cl can expand its octet by using d-orbitals
+ -
Q3. Consider the following reaction: Au+O2 +3F2 O2 AuF6 [TIFR 2015]

Which statements is correct about the redox changes in this reaction?

(a) Au is oxidized; O is oxidized; F is reduced

(b) Au is reduced; O is oxidized; F is reduced

(c) Au is oxidized; O does not undergo a redox changes; F is reduced
(d) Au is reduced; O is oxidized; F does not undergo a redox changes
Q4. What are the products of the following reaction? [TIFR 2017]
Toluene
LiAlH4 +Et 3 NHCl

(a) H2 +Et 3 N+LiCl+AlH3 (b) LiH+Et 3 N+HCl+0.5Al2H6

(c) LiCl+H3Al:NEt 3 +H2 (d) LiCl+NEt 3 +H2 +0.5Al2 H6

Q5. The Haber process is commonly known as the reaction of Hydrogen gas with Nitrogen gas produce
ammonia in the presence of a catalyst such as iron. Which of the following statements is true regarding the
Haber process: [TIFR 2018]
(a) Iron serves as a homogenous catalyst for this reaction
(b) Increasing the temperature increasing the amount of ammonia formed
(c) Increasing the pressure increasing the amount of ammonia formed
(d) All of the above

Answer Key
1. (d) 2.(d) 3. (a) 4. (c) 5. (*)