CHEMISTRY

PAPER 2
(THEORY)

 Maximum Marks: 70
 Time Allotted: Three Hours
 Reading Time: Additional Fifteen Minutes

Instructions to Candidates
 You are allowed an additional fifteen minutes for only reading the
question paper.
 You must NOT start writing during the reading time.
 It is divided into four sections and has twenty one questions in all.
 Answer all questions.
 Section A has fourteen subparts. Each question carries 1 mark.
 While attempting Multiple Choice Questions in Section A, you are
required to write only ONE option as the answer.
 Section B has ten questions. Each question carries 2 marks.
 Section C has seven questions. Each question carries 3 marks.
 Section D has three questions. Each question carries 5 marks.
 Internal choices have been provided in one question each in Sections
B, C and D.
 The intended marks for questions are given in brackets [ ].
 All working, including rough work, should be done on the same sheet
as, and adjacent to the rest of the answer.
 Balanced equations must be given wherever possible and diagrams
where they are helpful.
 When solving numerical problems, all essential workings must be
shown.
 In working out problems, use the following data:
 Gas constant, R=1·987 caldeg⁻¹mol⁻¹=8·314 JK⁻¹mol⁻¹ = 0·0821
dm³atmK⁻¹mol⁻¹
 1 atm = 1 dm³atm=101·3 J
 1 Faraday = 96500 coulombs
 Avogadro's number = 6·023×10²³

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 SECTION A – 14 MARKS
(Answer all questions. Each question carries 1 mark.)
Question 1
(A) Fill in the blanks by choosing the appropriate word(s) from those
given in the brackets: [4 × 1]

(electrophilic, nucleophilic, increases, decreases, zero, first, resonance,

positive deviation, negative deviation, alc. KCN, alc. AgCN, acidic medium,
basic medium)

(i) The rate of a ______ order reaction is independent of the concentration of

the reactant, whereas that of a ______ order reaction is directly proportional
to it.
✅ Answer: Zero, First
Explanation:
For a zero-order reaction:
Rate=k
The rate remains constant and does not depend on the concentration of the
reactant.
For a first-order reaction:
Rate=k [ A ]
The rate is directly proportional to the concentration of the reactant.
Key Point:
Order of reaction is determined experimentally and depends on the rate law,
not on stoichiometry.

(ii) When a solute exhibits ______ from Raoult’s law, vapour pressure is
lower than predicted due to strong solute–solvent attraction, while ______
implies weaker forces and higher vapour pressure.
✅ Answer: Negative deviation, Positive deviation
Explanation:
• Negative deviation from Raoult’s law occurs when solute–solvent
interactions are stronger than solvent–solvent interactions. As a result,
vapour pressure becomes lower than expected.
• Positive deviation from Raoult’s law occurs when solute–solvent
interactions are weaker. This leads to higher vapour pressure than
predicted.

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Examples:
 Acetone + chloroform → negative deviation
 Ethanol + acetone → positive deviation
(iii) Phenol in ______ medium gives a colourless solution of phenoxide ion,
which undergoes ______ substitution much faster than phenol itself.
✅ Answer: Basic medium, Electrophilic
Explanation:
In a basic medium, phenol reacts with hydroxide ions to form phenoxide
ion:
−¿+ H2 O ¿

C6 H5 OH +OH−¿→ C H O
6 5 ¿

The phenoxide ion is resonance stabilized, increasing electron density at

the ortho and para positions of the benzene ring. Hence, it undergoes
electrophilic substitution reactions much faster than phenol.
Concept Link:
Greater electron density → faster electrophilic attack.

(iv) Bromoethane on treatment with ______ gives ethyl cyanide, while with
______ yields ethyl isocyanide.
✅ Answer: alc. KCN, alc. AgCN
Explanation:
• With alcoholic KCN, the cyanide ion acts as a free nucleophile and
attacks through the carbon atom, forming a nitrile:
C2 H5 Br +KCN → C2 H5 CN

• With alcoholic AgCN, the CN group is covalently bonded to silver, forcing

nucleophilic attack through nitrogen, forming an isocyanide:
C2 H5 Br + AgCN→ C2 H5 NC

Exam Tip:
KCN → C-attack → nitrile
AgCN → N-attack → isocyanide

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(B) Select and write the correct alternative from the choices given
below: [7×1]
(i) The coordination number and oxidation number of chromium in the
complex

[ Cr ( H2 O) 4 Cl2 ] Cl
respectively, are:
(a) 4 and +2
(b) 6 and +3
(c) 4 and +3
(d) 6 and +2

✅ Answer: (b) 6 and +3

Explanation:
• Ligands inside coordination sphere:
4 H₂O + 2 Cl⁻ → Coordination number = 6

• One Cl⁻ ion is outside the coordination sphere.

Therefore, oxidation state of Cr = +3

(ii) The correct order of increasing ligand field strength is:

(a) I⁻ < F⁻ < NH₃ < CN⁻
(b) CN⁻ < NH₃ < H₂O < F⁻
(c) F⁻ < H₂O < NH₃ < CO
(d) I⁻ < Cl⁻ < NH₃ < CN⁻

✅ Answer: (c)
Explanation:
According to the spectrochemical series:
−¿<H2 O< NH3<CO ¿
F

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Carbon monoxide is a strong π-acceptor ligand, hence produces large
crystal field splitting.

(iii) The rate of a chemical reaction remains constant throughout the

reaction. It is most likely a ______ order reaction.
✅ Answer: Zero order
Explanation:
A constant rate indicates that the rate does not depend on reactant
concentration.
(iv) A solution of 0.1 M KCl has κ = 0.012 S cm⁻¹. The molar conductivity of
the solution is:
(a) 12
(b) 120
(c) 0.12
(d) 1.2

✅ Answer: (b) 120 S cm² mol⁻¹

Calculation:
1000
Λ m=κ ×
M
1000
Λ m=0.012 ×
0.1
2 −1
¿ 120 S cm mol

(iv) Which compound gives a yellow precipitate with iodine and sodium
hydroxide?
(a) Pentan-3-ol
(b) Acetone
(c) Formaldehyde
(d) Methanol

✅ Answer: (b) Acetone

Explanation:

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The iodoform test is given by compounds containing the –COCH₃ group.

(v) In the reaction

CH 3 CH 2 Br+ KOH (aq) →?
The major product formed is:
(a) Ethene
(b) Ethanol
(c) Diethyl ether
(d) Ethanal
✅ Answer: (b) Ethanol
Explanation:
Aqueous KOH favours nucleophilic substitution (SN2), leading to alcohol
formation.
(vi) Assertion & Reason: (Analysis)
Assertion: A solution prepared by dissolving 1 mol of urea in water shows less lowering of
vapour pressure than a solution prepared by dissolving 1 mol of NaCl in the same amount of
water.
Reason: NaCl dissociates into ions in aqueous solution, thereby producing a greater number
of solute particles than urea.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is correct
explanation for Assertion
(b) Both true but Reason is not correct explanation
(c) Assertion is true, Reason is false
(d) Both are false
Answer: (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is correct
explanation for Assertion
Explanation:
Lowering of vapour pressure is a colligative property, so it depends on the number of solute
particles in solution.
Urea (non-electrolyte): Urea does not dissociate in water.
CO(NH₂)₂ ( aq ) → CO(NH₂)₂ (aq) → 1 particle per formula unit

Page | 6
Sodium chloride (electrolyte): NaCl dissociates completely in water.
NaCl (s) → Na⁺ (aq)+ Cl⁻ (aq) → 2 particles per formula unit
Since NaCl produces more solute particles than urea for the same number of moles, it causes
greater lowering of vapour pressure.
(vii) Assertion & Reason: (Application)
Assertion: Heating anisole with HI gives CH₃OH + C₆H₅I.
Reason: Benzyl cation is more stable than methyl cation.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation
for Assertion
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct
explanation
(c) Assertion is true and Reason is false
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false
Answer: (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is correct
explanation
Explanation:
Anisole is an aryl–alkyl ether (C₆H₅–O–CH₃). On heating with HI, the ether oxygen gets
protonated, and cleavage occurs at the alkyl–O bond, not the aryl–O bond, because the aryl–O
bond is resonance-stabilized.
Reaction:

Page | 7
 Key reason: Cleavage avoids formation of an unstable aryl carbocation; reaction proceeds via
the more favorable pathway.

(C) Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
[3×1]
Meena studies the conductivity of BaCl₂ at 298 K.
Conc. κ (S Λₘ (S cm²
(M) cm⁻¹) mol⁻¹)

0.1 0.013 134

4
0.01 0.002 210
1
0.001 0.000 330
33

(i) Why does molar conductivity increase with dilution?

Answer:

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On dilution, inter-ionic attraction decreases and ions move more freely,
resulting in increased molar conductivity.

(ii) Calculate the degree of dissociation at 0.01 M.

Answer:
Λm 210
α= ∘
= =0.75
Λ m
280
Degree of dissociation = 75%

(iii) Predict the value of molar conductivity at 0.0001 M.

Answer:
At infinite dilution, molar conductivity approaches limiting value.
∘ 2 −1
Λ m ≈ Λ m=280 S cm mol

SECTION B – 20 MARKS
(Answer all questions. Each question carries 2 marks.)
Question 2
A first-order reaction is found to be 60% complete in 110 minutes. Calculate
the time required for 90% completion of the reaction.
Answer:
For a first-order reaction,
2.303 1
k= log
t 1−x

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For 60% completion:
2.303 1
x=0.60 k = log
110 0.40
2.303 −1
k= ×0.398=0.00838 min
110

For 90% completion:

x=0.90
2.303 1
t= log
k 0.10
2.303
t= × 1=275 min
0.00838

Time required = 275 minutes

Exam Tip:
For first-order reactions, higher percentage completion requires
disproportionately more time.

Question 3
Write chemical equations for the following conversions:
(i) Aniline → Iodobenzene
(ii) Propanoic acid → Ethanol
Answer:
(i) Aniline → Iodobenzene
NaNO2/ HCl −¿ ¿
KI

+¿ Cl ¿ −¿→ C 6 H 5 I+ N2 ¿
C6 H 5 NH2 → C6 H5 N 2 + ¿Cl
C6 H 5 N2
¿
∘
0–5 C

(ii) Propanoic acid → Ethanol

LiAlH4
CH 3 CH 2 COOH → CH 3 CH 2 CH2 OH

Question 4
Using IUPAC nomenclature, write the formulae of the following:
(i) Pentaamminechloridocobalt(III) sulphate
(ii) Tetrahydroxidozincate(II) ion

Page | 10
Answer:

(i) [ Co ( NH 3 )5 Cl ] SO 4
2−¿¿
(ii) [ Zn ( OH )4 ]

Question 5
A solution shows elevation in boiling point ΔTₑ = 1.84 K.
Given:
Kₑ = 5.12 K kg mol⁻¹
Mass of solute = 2 g
Mass of solvent = 50 g
Calculate the molar mass of the solute.
Answer:
Δ T e =K e ×m
Δ T e 1.84
m= =
K e 5.12
w 2 ×1000
m=
M ×w 1
1000 × K e × w 2
M=
Δ T e × w1
1000 ×5.12 ×2
M=
1.84 ×50
−1
M =111 g mol
Question 6
Convert the following:
(i) Phenol → Anisole
(ii) Acetaldehyde → Lactic acid
Answer:
NaOH C H3 I
(i) C H OH → C H ONa → C H OC H
6 5 6 5 6 5 3

HCN Hydrolysis
(ii) C H 3 CHO → C H 3 CH ( OH ) CN → C H 3 CH (OH ) COOH

Page | 11
Question 7
Calculate the limiting molar conductivity of NH₄Cl using Kohlrausch’s law.
Given:
Λ°((NH₄)₂SO₄) = 256.1
Λ°(NaCl) = 126.4
Λ°(Na₂SO₄) = 252.1

Answer:
Λ ( NH 4 Cl ) = Λ ( ( NH4 ) 2 SO 4 ) + Λ ( NaCl )− Λ ( Na 2 SO 4 )
∘ ∘ ∘ ∘

¿ 256.1+126.4−252.1
2 −1
¿ 130.4 S cm mol
Question 8
(i) Among Ti³⁺, V³⁺ and Cr³⁺, which ion has the highest magnetic moment?
(ii) State the magnetic behaviour of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions.
Answer:
(i) Cr³⁺ (3d³) has the maximum number of unpaired electrons → highest
magnetic moment.
(ii) Cu²⁺ (3d⁹) → Paramagnetic
Zn²⁺ (3d¹⁰) → Diamagnetic

Question 9
Write chemical equations for:
(i) Acetaldehyde + HCN
(ii) Formic acid + LiAlH₄
Answer:
(i) CH 3 CHO+ HCN→ CH 3 CH(OH)CN
LiAlH 4
(ii) HCOOH → CH 3 OH

Question 10
The half-life of a reaction is 230 s. Calculate the time required for 80%
completion.

Page | 12
Answer:
0.693 −3 −1
k= =3.01× 10 s
230
2.303 1
t= log
k 0.20
t=534 s

Question 11
Write chemical equations for:
(i) Reimer–Tiemann reaction
(ii) Cannizzaro reaction
Answer:
(i) C6 H5 OH +CHCl 3+ NaOH → o -HOC6 H4 CHO
NaOH
(ii) 2 HCHO → HCOONa +CH 3 OH

SECTION C – 21 MARKS
(Answer all questions. Each question carries 3 marks.)
Question 12
Convert the following by writing balanced chemical equations:
(i) Benzene → m-Nitrobenzoic acid

Answer:
Step 1: Friedel–Crafts alkylation
CH 3 Cl/ AlCl 3
C6 H 6 → C6 H5 CH 3
Step 2: Oxidation of side chain
KMnO4 / heat
C6 H5 CH 3 → C6 H5 COOH
Step 3: Nitration
conc. HNO3 / conc. H2SO 4
C6 H 5 COOH → m-Nitrobenzoic acid
The –COOH group is a strongly deactivating, meta-directing group,
hence nitration occurs predominantly at the meta position.

Page | 13
(ii) Phenol → 2,4-Dinitrophenol
Answer:
Step 1: Mononitration
dil. HNO 3
C6 H5 OH → o -Nitrophenol+ p -Nitrophenol
Step 2: Further nitration
conc. HNO 3 /H 2SO 4
C6 H 5 OH → 2 , 4 -Dinitrophenol
The –OH group is strongly activating and ortho/para directing, leading
to substitution at the 2- and 4-positions.

(iii) Ethyl bromide → Butanenitrile

Answer:
Step 1: Nucleophilic substitution
alc. KCN
C2 H5 Br → C2 H5 CN
Step 2: Chain extension via homologation
C2 H5 CN → C3 H7 CN

Reaction with KCN increases carbon chain length by one.

Question 13
Balance the following redox reactions in acidic medium and explain the
colour change:
3+ ¿¿
2+¿ +Fe ¿
2 +¿→ Mn ¿
(i) MnO−¿+
4
Fe ¿

Answer:
Balanced ionic equation:
3+¿ +4H O ¿
2
2+¿ +5Fe ¿
2+ ¿+ 8H+ ¿ →Mn ¿
¿
−¿+5 Fe ¿
MnO 4

Colour change:
−¿¿
Purple MnO 4 → colourless Mn 2+ ¿¿

3+ ¿+ CO ¿
2
2−¿→ Cr ¿
¿
(ii) Cr 2 O2−¿+C
7
2
O 4

Answer:
Balanced ionic equation:
3+¿ +6CO + 7H O ¿
2 2
+¿ → 2Cr ¿
¿
2−¿+3 C2 O2−¿+14 H
¿
Cr 2 O7 4

Colour change:
Orange dichromate ion → green Cr 3+¿ ¿

Page | 14
Question 14
Write the structural formula of the major product formed in each of the
following reactions:
(Recall)
(i)
H O ,warm
2
− ¿ ¿
+¿C l ¿
C6 H5 N2
(ii)
PCl 5
C H 3 COOH
(iii)
C H 3 COCl
C2 H5 N H 2

Answers:
(i)C 6 H 5 OH(ii)C H 3 COCl (iii) CH3CONHC2H5
R4EUI Y

Question 15
A student tests an aqueous solution of an organic compound and observes
the following:
 It gives a brick-red precipitate with Fehling’s solution
 It does not give a blue colour with iodine solution
(a) Identify the class of biomolecule.
(b) Name one compound belonging to this class.
(c) Explain the observations.
Answer
(a) The compound is a reducing sugar.
(b) Glucose
(c) Glucose contains a free aldehyde group, which reduces Fehling’s
solution to Cu₂O.
It does not possess a helical structure, hence it does not give the iodine test.

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Question 16
(i)
(a) Calculate the mass of copper deposited when a current of 3 A is passed
for 40 minutes through a copper sulphate solution.
(Atomic mass of Cu = 63.5, Faraday constant = 96500 C mol⁻¹)
(b) Write the electrode reaction occurring at the cathode during the
deposition of copper.
Answer:
(a)
I =3 A ,
t=40× 60=2400 s
Q=¿
¿ 3 ×2400=7200 C
For copper:
−¿→Cu¿
¿
C u 2+¿+2 e
⇒ n=2
M × Q 63.5× 7200
Mass deposited= = =2.37 g
nF 2 × 96500
(b)
Cathode reaction:
−¿→Cu¿
¿
C u 2+¿+2 e
OR
(ii)
(a) Calculate the mass of NaCl that must be added to 1 kg of water to
lower its freezing point by 3 K.
( K f for water=1.86 K kg mol−1 ; Atomic masses: Na =23 ,Cl=35.5 ) (Application)
(b) Define reverse osmosis. State one practical application.
(Understanding)
Answer:
(a) Given:
−1
Δ T f =3 K , K f =1.86 K kg mol
NaCl dissociates as:
−¿⇒ i=2 ¿

NaCl → Na+¿+Cl ¿

Δ T f =i K f m
3 −1
m= =0.806 mol kg
2 ×1.86
Molar mass of NaCl:
−1
¿ 23+35.5=58.5 g mol
Mass required:
¿ 0.806 ×58.5=47.2 g 47.2 g of NaCl should be added to 1 kg of water.

Page | 16
(b) Reverse osmosis is the process in which solvent molecules are
forced to flow from a concentrated solution to a dilute solution
through a semipermeable membrane by applying pressure greater
than the osmotic pressure.
One application:
It is widely used in desalination of seawater to obtain drinking water.

Question 17
When log (a − x) is plotted against time (t) for a chemical reaction, a straight-line graph is
obtained.
(i) Identify the order of the reaction.
(ii) Write the mathematical significance of the slope of the graph.
(iii) Explain how the slope of the graph changes with increase
in temperature, giving a reason.

Answer:
(i) The reaction follows first-order kinetics, since a linear relationship is
obtained between log (a − x) and time.

(ii) For a first-order reaction, the integrated rate law is:

k
log ( a−x )=log a− t
2.303
Hence, the slope of the straight-line graph is equal to:
−k
slope=
2.303
where k is the rate constant of the reaction.
(iii) On increasing the temperature, the rate constant (k) increases due to
higher molecular kinetic energy and more frequent effective collisions.
As a result, the magnitude of the slope increases, and the graph
becomes steeper.

Question 18
(a) If the unit of rate constant is mol⁻¹ L s⁻¹, determine the order of
reaction.
(b) Give one example of a pseudo-first-order reaction.
(c) State the effect of surface area on the rate of reaction.
Answer
(a) For a second-order reaction, the rate law is:
2
Rate=k [ A ] or k [ A ][ B ]

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Rate has units of mol L⁻¹ s⁻¹.
So, the unit of the rate constant k is:
−1 −1
Rate mol L s −1 −1
k= 2
= =mol L s
−1 2
( concentration ) ( mol L )
−1 −1
Unit of k =mol Ls
∴ Order of reaction=2
(b) Hydrolysis of ethyl acetate in excess water is an example of
pseudo first order reaction.
CH 3 COOC 2 H5 + H2 O→ CH 3 COOH +C2 H5 OH
Since water is present in large excess, its concentration remains almost
constant during the reaction.
Rate=k [ ethyl acetate ] [ water ]
Rate=k ' [ ethyl acetate ]
The reaction behaves like a first-order reaction, even though two
reactants are involved.
Hence, it is a pseudo-first-order reaction
(c) In heterogeneous reactions, the reaction occurs only at the surface of
the solid.
When surface area increases:
 More particles are exposed
 More effective collisions occur per second
 Reaction rate increases
Example reaction:
CaCO3 ( s ) +2 HCl ( aq ) → CaCl2 ( aq )+ CO2 ( g )+ H2 O ( l )
Powdered calcium carbonate reacts faster than marble chips because it has
a larger surface area.
Increase in surface area ⇒ increase in effective collisions

SECTION D – 15 MARKS
(Answer all questions. Each question carries 5 marks.)
Question 19
(i) Answer the following:
(a) Why do carboxylic acids form dimers in the vapour phase?
(b) p-Nitrophenol is less soluble in water than o-nitrophenol. Explain.

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 (c) Primary amines have higher boiling points than tertiary amines of
comparable molecular mass. Explain.
(ii) Riya is studying a ketone, A (C₄H₈O), that undergoes a haloform reaction.
Upon reduction, it gives compound B. When heated with sulfuric acid, A
forms compound C, which produces a mono-ozonide D. Hydrolysis of D with
zinc dust yields only compound E. Identify compounds A, B, C, D, and E, and
write the chemical reactions involved.

Ans.:
Since, A gives haloform test, it must contain —COCH3 group. Thus, its
possible formula is C2H5COCH3. On reduction, it gives 2-butanol, i.e.,
compound B which on dehydration with sulphuric acid gives 2-butene
(C). Ozonolysis of 2-butene gives only acetaldehyde (E).
The equations involved are

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(ii) An organic compound A (C₄H₉NO) on heating with NaOH gives
compound B along with ammonia. Compound B on oxidation gives
compound C, which gives a silver mirror test.
Identify A, B, and C and write the relevant reactions.
Answer:
(i)
(a) Carboxylic acids form dimers due to intermolecular hydrogen
bonding between the –OH group of one molecule and the C=O group of
another. Each dimer is stabilised by two hydrogen bonds, making the
association very strong.
Consequences:
 Higher apparent molecular mass
 Higher boiling point than expected
(b) In o-nitrophenol, intramolecular hydrogen bonding occurs between
the –OH and –NO₂ groups. This reduces intermolecular association,
increasing its solubility in water.
In p-nitrophenol, intermolecular hydrogen bonding occurs, leading to
greater association and hence lower solubility in water.

(c) Primary amines contain two N–H bonds and can form extensive
intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Tertiary amines lack N–H bonds and
therefore cannot form hydrogen bonds. Hence, primary amines have
higher boiling points than tertiary amines of similar molecular mass.

Question 20
A biotechnology research laboratory is developing a plant-based oral
vaccine containing large biomolecules such as proteins and
polysaccharides. These biomolecules are dissolved in aqueous glucose
solutions and stored in containers separated by semipermeable
membranes.
During testing, scientists observe that if appropriate pressure is not applied,
water flows across the membrane, leading to swelling or shrinkage of the
solution volume. Since biomolecules are heat-sensitive, the researchers
avoid heating and instead rely on pressure-based measurements to
study the properties of the solution.
Based on the above information, answer the following questions:

Page | 20
(a) Define osmotic pressure. Write its mathematical expression.
Answer:
Osmotic pressure is the minimum external pressure that must be applied
to a solution to prevent the flow of solvent through a semipermeable
membrane from the pure solvent or a dilute solution into the solution.
The osmotic pressure of a dilute solution is given by:
π=CRT
Where:
 π = osmotic pressure
 C = molar concentration of the solution
 R = universal gas constant
 T = absolute temperature
(b) Calculate the osmotic pressure of a 0.01 M glucose solution at 27°C.
(Given: R=0.0821 L atm K −1 mol −1)
Answer:
Given:
C=0.01 M T =27+273=300 K
Using the equation:
π=CRT
π=0.01 × 0.0821× 300
π=0.246 atm
Therefore, the osmotic pressure of the glucose solution is 0.246 atm.
(c) Explain why osmotic pressure is preferred over elevation in boiling point
for determining the molar mass of biomolecules.
Answer:
Osmotic pressure is preferred for determining the molar mass of
biomolecules because:
 It can be measured at room temperature, avoiding heating.
 Biomolecules decompose at high temperatures, making boiling
point elevation unsuitable.
 Even very dilute solutions of high molar mass substances give
measurable osmotic pressure values.
Hence, osmotic pressure is a reliable and safe method for determining the
molar masses of biomolecules.
(d) State one biological importance of osmosis relevant to plant systems.
Answer:

Page | 21
Osmosis plays an important role in the absorption of water by plant
roots. Water enters root hair cells through osmosis, helping maintain cell
turgidity, which is essential for plant growth, mechanical support, and
normal physiological activities.

Question 21
(i)
(a) For the complex [Co(en)₂Cl₂]⁺:
Determine:
1. Oxidation state of cobalt
2. Coordination number
3. Geometry of the complex
4. Type of isomerism shown
Answer:
 Oxidation state of Co:
en is neutral; 2Cl⁻ = –2

∴ Co = +3
Overall charge = +1

 Coordination number:

∴ Coordination number = 6
2 en (bidentate = 4 donor atoms) + 2 Cl⁻ (monodentate)

 Geometry:
Six-coordinate Co(III) complex → Octahedral
 Isomerism:
Geometrical isomerism (cis–trans)
(cis-isomer is optically active due to chelation by en ligands)

Page | 22
(b) Draw and name the geometrical isomers of the above complex
Answer:

 cis-[Co(en)₂Cl₂]⁺
 trans-[Co(en)₂Cl₂]⁺

(c) Using crystal field theory, explain why Co³⁺ complexes are
generally low-spin.
Answer:
Co³⁺ has high charge density, causing:
 Strong attraction towards ligands
 Large crystal field splitting (Δ₀)
Since Δ₀ > pairing energy, electrons pair up, resulting in low-spin
complexes.

(d) Write the IUPAC name of [Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂].

Answer:
Diamminedichloridoplatinum(II)
OR
(ii)
A metal ion Mn+ having d4 valence electronic configuration combines with three bidentate ligands
to form a complex compound. Assuming ∆ 0 > P.
(a) Draw the diagram showing d orbital splitting during this complex formation and write the
electronic configuration of the valence electrons of the metal Mn+ ion in terms of t2g and eg .

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(b) What type of hybridisation will Mn+ ion have?
(c) Name the type of isomerism exhibited by this complex.
Ans.:

(iii) (a) Using IUPAC norms write the systematic name of the [Co(en)3]3+
(b) Draw the structures of optical isomers of: [Cr(C2O4)3]3–
Ans.: (a) Tris(ethan-1,2-diammine)cobalt(III) ion

(b)

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