Complete Inorganic Chemistry

Notes for JEE Mains 2026

Comprehensive Study Material

August 15, 2025

Contents
1 Atomic Structure 3
1.1 Discovery of Subatomic Particles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2 Bohr’s Atomic Model (1913) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.3 Quantum Mechanical Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.4 Electronic Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2 Periodic Table and Periodicity 5

2.1 Modern Periodic Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 Periodic Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3 d-Block and f-Block Anomalies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3 Chemical Bonding 7
3.1 Ionic Bonding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.2 Covalent Bonding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.3 VSEPR Theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4 s-Block Elements 8
4.1 Group 1: Alkali Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.2 Group 2: Alkaline Earth Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

5 p-Block Elements 10
5.1 Group 13: Boron Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5.2 Group 14: Carbon Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
5.3 Group 15: Nitrogen Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
5.4 Group 16: Oxygen Family (Chalcogens) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5.5 Group 17: Halogens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.6 Group 18: Noble Gases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

6 d-Block Elements (Transition Metals) 14

6.1 General Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
6.2 Important Compounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

7 Coordination Compounds 15
7.1 Werner’s Theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
7.2 Nomenclature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

1
Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 2

8 Metallurgy 16
8.1 Occurrence of Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
8.2 Extraction Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

9 Environmental Chemistry 17
9.1 Atmospheric Pollution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
9.2 Ozone Layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

10 Important Reactions and Equations 18

11 Qualitative Analysis 18
11.1 Group Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

12 JEE Important Points 19

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 3

1 Atomic Structure
1.1 Discovery of Subatomic Particles
Key Concept

Electron Discovery (J.J. Thomson, 1897):

• Cathode Ray Tube experiment

• Charge-to-mass ratio: e
m
= 1.76 → 1011 C/kg

• Mass of electron: 9.109 → 10→31 kg

Mnemonic
Thomson’s Model: ”Plum Pudding Model”
Remember: Positive Pudding with Plums (electrons)

Key Concept

Nucleus Discovery (Rutherford, 1911):

• Gold foil experiment with -particles

• Most particles passed through (atom is mostly empty)

• Few deflected at large angles (dense positive nucleus)

Mnemonic
Rutherford’s Findings: ”GOLD”
Great deflection (few particles)
Orbital model proposed
Large empty space
Dense nucleus discovered

1.2 Bohr’s Atomic Model (1913)

Formula
Key Formulas:
13.6
Energy of electron: En = ↑ eV (1)
n2
Radius of orbit: rn = 0.529 → n2 Å (2)
2.18 → 106
Velocity: vn = m/s (3)
n

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 4

Mnemonic
Bohr’s Postulates: ”QUIET ELECTRONS”
Quantized energy levels
Uniform circular motion
Integer multiple of h/2
Energy radiated during transition
Transition between energy levels

1.3 Quantum Mechanical Model

Key Concept

Wave-Particle Duality:

• de Broglie wavelength: ω = h
mv

• Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle: !x · !p ↓ h

4ω

• Schrödinger wave equation describes electron behavior

Mnemonic
Quantum Numbers: ”SLIM”
Spin quantum number (s)
Lazimuthal/Angular momentum (l)
Inclined/Magnetic quantum number (m)
Main/Principal quantum number (n)

1.4 Electronic Configuration

Key Concept

Aufbau Principle: Electrons fill orbitals in order of increasing energy

Pauli Exclusion Principle: No two electrons can have same set of four quantum
numbers
Hund’s Rule: Electrons occupy orbitals singly before pairing

Mnemonic
Orbital Filling Order: ”1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s 4d 5p 6s 4f 5d 6p 7s 5f 6d 7p”
Memory Aid: Aunt Hilda Usually Plays Piano

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 5

Important Exception

Electronic Configuration Exceptions:

• Chromium (24): [Ar] 3d 4s¹ (not 3d 4s²)

• Copper (29): [Ar] 3d¹ 4s¹ (not 3d 4s²)

• Palladium (46): [Kr] 4d¹ (not 4d 5s²)

• Silver (47): [Kr] 4d¹ 5s¹ (not 4d 5s²)

Reason: Half-filled and completely filled d-orbitals are more stable

2 Periodic Table and Periodicity

2.1 Modern Periodic Law
Key Concept

Modern Periodic Law: Properties of elements are periodic functions of their atomic
numbers

• 118 elements currently known

• 7 periods and 18 groups

• Based on electronic configuration

Mnemonic
Group Names: ”All Alkali Metals Are Light Hearted, Noble Heroes Create Treasures”
Alkali metals (Group 1)
Alkaline earth metals (Group 2)
Metals (Groups 3-12)
Aluminum group (13)
Lead group (14)
Halogen precursors (15)
Nitrogen group (15)
Halogens (17)
Chalcogens (16)
Transition metals (3-12)

2.2 Periodic Trends

Key Concept

Atomic Radius:

• Down a group: Increases (new electron shells added)

• Across a period: Decreases (increased nuclear charge)

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 6

Key Concept

Ionization Energy:

• Down a group: Decreases (electrons farther from nucleus)

• Across a period: Increases (increased nuclear charge)

Mnemonic
Trends Memory: ”RAID”
Radius decreases across, increases down
A”nity increases across, decreases down
Ionization increases across, decreases down
Down = opposite of across (except radius)

Important Exception

Ionization Energy Exceptions:

• Be ¿ B: Be has filled 2s orbital (more stable)

• N ¿ O: N has half-filled 2p orbitals (more stable)

• Mg ¿ Al: Similar to Be ¿ B

• P ¿ S: Similar to N ¿ O

2.3 d-Block and f-Block Anomalies

Key Concept

Lanthanide Contraction:

• Gradual decrease in size from La³ to Lu³

• Due to poor shielding by 4f electrons

• Results in similar sizes of 2nd and 3rd transition series

Mnemonic
Lanthanide Contraction E!ects: ”SAME SIZE”
Similar atomic radii (Zr-Hf, Nb-Ta)
Anomalous properties of 3rd transition series
More basic character of early lanthanides
Enhanced covalent character in later lanthanides

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 7

3 Chemical Bonding
3.1 Ionic Bonding
Key Concept

Ionic Bond Formation:

• Complete transfer of electrons

• Between metal and non-metal

• Electrostatic attraction between ions

• High melting and boiling points

Formula
Lattice Energy:
q1 → q2
U↔
r
Where q, q are charges and r is interionic distance

Mnemonic
Factors A!ecting Lattice Energy: ”CHARGE RADIUS”
Charge on ions (higher charge = higher lattice energy)
Higher charge increases attraction
Atomic size matters
Radius of ions (smaller radius = higher lattice energy)
Greater lattice energy = more stable compound
Electrostatic force follows Coulomb’s law

3.2 Covalent Bonding

Key Concept

Types of Covalent Bonds:

• Single Bond: One pair of shared electrons ( bond)

• Double Bond: Two pairs (one + one bond)

• Triple Bond: Three pairs (one + two bonds)

Mnemonic
Hybridization Types: ”SPA Day”
Sp³ - tetrahedral (109.5°)
Pp² - trigonal planar (120°)
Ap - linear (180°)

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 8

3.3 VSEPR Theory

Key Concept

VSEPR Principle: Electron pairs around central atom repel each other and adopt
geometry that minimizes repulsion

• Lone pair-lone pair ¿ lone pair-bond pair ¿ bond pair-bond pair repulsion

• Lone pairs occupy more space than bond pairs

Mnemonic
Common Geometries: ”Linear Triangles Teach Better Students Octagonal Patterns”
Linear (2 pairs)
Trigonal planar (3 pairs)
Tetrahedral (4 pairs)
Bipyramidal (5 pairs)
Square pyramidal (5 pairs + 1 lone pair)
Octahedral (6 pairs)
Pentagonal bipyramidal (7 pairs)

4 s-Block Elements
4.1 Group 1: Alkali Metals
Key Concept

General Properties:

• Electronic configuration: [Noble gas] ns¹

• Highly reactive metals

• Low ionization energy and density

• Form ionic compounds

Mnemonic
Alkali Metals: ”Little Children Rarely Sleep Peacefully”
Lithium (Li)
Cesium (Cs)
Rubidium (Rb)
Sodium (Na)
Potassium (K)

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 9

Important Exception

Lithium Anomalies:

• Hardest alkali metal

• Highest melting and boiling point

• Least reactive with water

• Only alkali metal that reacts with nitrogen

• LiCO decomposes on heating (others don’t)

• LiF is least soluble fluoride

Reason: Small size and high charge density

4.2 Group 2: Alkaline Earth Metals

Key Concept

General Properties:

• Electronic configuration: [Noble gas] ns²

• Less reactive than alkali metals

• Form mainly ionic compounds

• Divalent cations

Mnemonic
Alkaline Earth Metals: ”Big Cats Make Strong Roars”
Beryllium (Be)
Calcium (Ca)
Magnesium (Mg)
Strontium (Sr)
Radium (Ra)
Bonus: Barium (Ba)

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 10

Important Exception

Beryllium Anomalies:

• Forms covalent compounds (not ionic)

• Amphoteric oxide (BeO)

• Does not react with water

• Highest ionization energy in group

• BeCl has linear structure (sp hybridization)

Reason: Very small size and high charge density

5 p-Block Elements
5.1 Group 13: Boron Family
Key Concept

General Properties:

• Electronic configuration: [Noble gas] ns² np¹

• Show +1 and +3 oxidation states

• Inert pair e#ect increases down the group

Mnemonic
Group 13 Elements: ”Big Aluminum Glasses In Tokyo”
Boron (B)
Aluminum (Al)
Gallium (Ga)
Indium (In)
Thallium (Tl)

Important Exception

Boron Anomalies:

• Non-metallic (others are metals)

• Forms electron-deficient compounds

• Does not form B³ ion (high ionization energy)

• Forms covalent hydrides (boranes)

• BO is acidic (others are amphoteric/basic)

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 11

5.2 Group 14: Carbon Family

Mnemonic
Group 14 Elements: ”Can Silicon Germanium Tin Polish?”
Carbon (C)
Silicon (Si)
Germanium (Ge)
Tin (Sn)
Plead (Pb)

Key Concept

Carbon Allotropes:

• Diamond: sp³ hybridization, hardest natural substance

• Graphite: sp² hybridization, conducts electricity

• Fullerenes: C, C0 (soccer ball structure)

• Carbon nanotubes: Rolled graphite sheets

5.3 Group 15: Nitrogen Family

Mnemonic
Group 15 Elements: ”Never Pass Any Stupid Behavior”
Nitrogen (N)
Phosphorus (P)
Arsenic (As)
Santimony (Sb)
Bismuth (Bi)

Key Concept

Nitrogen Properties:

• Triple bond in N (very stable)

• Forms multiple oxides: NO, NO, NO, NO, NO

• Shows oxidation states from -3 to +5

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 12

Important Exception

Nitrogen Anomalies:

• Cannot form p - d bonds (no d-orbitals)

• Maximum covalency is 4 (others can exceed)

• N is unreactive at room temperature

• NH is basic (PH is weakly basic)

5.4 Group 16: Oxygen Family (Chalcogens)

Mnemonic
Group 16 Elements: ”Only Smart People Take Physics”
Oxygen (O)
Sulfur (S)
Polonium (Po)
Tellurium (Te)
Polonium (Po)

Key Concept

Oxygen Properties:

• Two allotropes: O (dioxygen) and O (ozone)

• Highly electronegative (second only to fluorine)

• Forms oxides with all elements except noble gases

Key Concept

Sulfur Allotropes:

• Rhombic sulfur (): Stable below 96°C

• Monoclinic sulfur (): Stable above 96°C

• Plastic sulfur: Quenched molten sulfur

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 13

5.5 Group 17: Halogens

Mnemonic
Halogens: ”Frequently Call Brother In Anger”
Fluorine (F)
Chlorine (Cl)
Bromine (Br)
Iodine (I)
Astatine (At)

Key Concept

Halogen Properties:

• Electronic configuration: [Noble gas] ns² np

• Most reactive non-metals

• Exist as diatomic molecules (X)

• Strong oxidizing agents

Important Exception

Fluorine Anomalies:

• Most electronegative element

• Cannot show positive oxidation states

• HF is weak acid (others are strong)

• Forms hydrogen bonding

• F is most reactive halogen

5.6 Group 18: Noble Gases

Mnemonic
Noble Gases: ”He Never Arrived Really Excited”
Helium (He)
Neon (Ne)
Argon (Ar)
Radon (Rn)
Exeron (Xe)
Bonus: Krypton (Kr)

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 14

Important Exception

Noble Gas Compounds:

• XeF, XeF, XeF (xenon fluorides)

• XeO, XeO (xenon oxides)

• XeOF (xenon oxyfluoride)

• KrF (krypton fluoride - unstable)

Note: He, Ne, Ar do not form any compounds

6 d-Block Elements (Transition Metals)

6.1 General Properties
Key Concept

Transition Metal Characteristics:

• Partially filled d-orbitals

• Multiple oxidation states

• Form colored compounds

• Catalytic properties

• Form complex compounds

Mnemonic
3d Series: ”Science Teachers Can Make Very Creative Minds For Creative Nice Creative
Zinc”
Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn

Important Exception

Transition Metal Exceptions:

• Zn, Cd, Hg have completely filled d¹ configuration

• Sc³ and Ti are colorless (no d-electrons)

• Mn² is pale pink (d high spin)

• Cu is colorless (d¹ configuration)

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 15

6.2 Important Compounds

Key Concept

Potassium Dichromate (KCrO):

• Orange colored in acidic medium

• Strong oxidizing agent

• Used in volumetric analysis

• Cr2O72– + 14H+ + 6e– 2Cr

3+
+ 7H2O

Key Concept

Potassium Permanganate (KMnO):

• Purple colored solution

• Strongest oxidizing agent

• Self-indicator in titrations

• MnO4– + 8H+ + 5e– Mn2+ + 4H2O

7 Coordination Compounds
7.1 Werner’s Theory
Key Concept

Werner’s Postulates:

• Metals have primary and secondary valencies

• Primary valency = oxidation state

• Secondary valency = coordination number

• Secondary valencies are directional

Mnemonic
Common Ligands: ”Water Ammonia Can Form Nice Complexes Every Day”
Water (HO) - aqua
Ammonia (NH) - ammine
Chloride (Cl) - chloro
Fluoride (F) - fluoro
Nitrite (NO) - nitro
Carbonyl (CO) - carbonyl
Ethylenediamine (en) - ethylenediamine
DMG (dimethylglyoxime)

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 16

7.2 Nomenclature
Key Concept

IUPAC Naming Rules:

1. Cation named first, then anion

2. Ligands named alphabetically before metal

3. Numerical prefixes: mono, di, tri, tetra, penta, hexa

4. Metal name + oxidation state in Roman numerals

5. For anionic complexes, metal name ends in -ate

Mnemonic
Naming Order: ”Ladies Always Come Before Gentlemen”
Ligands (alphabetically)
All prefixes
Central metal
Before oxidation state
Given in Roman numerals

8 Metallurgy
8.1 Occurrence of Metals
Key Concept

Metal Occurrence:

• Native state: Au, Ag, Pt (unreactive metals)

• Combined state: Most metals as oxides, sulfides, carbonates

• Aluminum: Most abundant metal in earth’s crust

• Iron: Most abundant metal in earth’s core

Mnemonic
Metallurgy Steps: ”Crushing Concentrates Reduces Metal Refining”
Crushing and grinding
Concentration of ore
Reduction to metal
Metal extraction
Refining/purification

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 17

8.2 Extraction Methods

Key Concept

Reduction Methods:

• Highly reactive metals (K, Na, Ca): Electrolysis

• Moderately reactive metals (Zn, Fe, Pb): Carbon reduction

• Less reactive metals (Hg, Cu): Roasting

• Least reactive metals (Ag, Au): Occur native

Mnemonic
Ellingham Diagram: ”Lower Lines Mean Better Reduction”
Remember: Metal oxide with lower G°f line can reduce oxide above it

9 Environmental Chemistry
9.1 Atmospheric Pollution
Key Concept

Major Air Pollutants:

• CO: Incomplete combustion, toxic

• SO: Acid rain, respiratory problems

• NO: Photochemical smog, acid rain

• O: Ground level ozone, respiratory irritant

• Particulates: PM., PM

Mnemonic
Greenhouse Gases: ”Carbon Water Methane Needs Ozone”
Carbon dioxide (CO)
Water vapor (HO)
Methane (CH)
Nitrous oxide (NO)
Ozone (O)

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 18

9.2 Ozone Layer

Key Concept

Ozone Depletion:

• CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) are main culprits

• UV radiation breaks Cl-C bond

• Cl atoms catalyze O decomposition

• Cl + O3 ClO + O2

• ClO + O Cl + O2

10 Important Reactions and Equations

Formula
Key Reactions for JEE:
Thermite Reaction: Fe2O3 + 2Al 2Fe + Al2O3
Contact Process (HSO): S + O2 SO2 2SO2 + O2 2SO3 (VO catalyst) SO3 +
H2SO4 H2S2O7 H2S2O7 + H2O 2H2SO4
Haber Process (NH): N2 + 3H2 2NH3 (Fe catalyst, 400-500°C, 200-300 atm)
Ostwald Process (HNO): 4NH3 + 5O2 4NO + 6H2O 2NO + O2 2NO2 3NO2 +
H2O 2HNO3 + NO

11 Qualitative Analysis
11.1 Group Analysis
Key Concept

Cation Groups:

• Group I: Ag, Pb², Hg² (HCl precipitates)

• Group II: Pb², Bi³, Cu², Cd², Hg², As³, Sb³, Sn²/ (HS in acidic medium)

• Group III: Al³, Cr³, Fe³ (NHOH precipitates)

• Group IV: Co², Ni², Mn², Zn² (HS in basic medium)

• Group V: Ba², Sr², Ca² ((NH)CO precipitates)

• Group VI: Mg², NH (soluble in water)

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 19

Mnemonic
Group Reagents: ”Happy Hands Always Need Caring Medicine”
HCl (Group I)
HS (Group II)
Ammonium hydroxide (Group III)
Nickel dimethylglyoxime (Group IV)
Carbonate (Group V)
Magnesium reagent (Group VI)

12 JEE Important Points

Important Exception

High-Yield Topics for JEE Mains:

• Electronic configurations and exceptions

• Periodic trends and anomalies

• Chemical bonding and molecular geometries

• s-block and p-block element properties

• Coordination compounds nomenclature

• Metallurgy principles

• Industrial processes

• Environmental chemistry

Mnemonic
Last-Minute Revision: ”Every Smart Student Practices Chemistry Problems Daily”
Electronic configuration exceptions
S-block anomalies (Li, Be)
Structure and bonding
P-block trends
Coordination compounds
Periodic properties
D-block colors and oxidation states

Best of luck for JEE 2026!

Inorganic Chemistry - JEE Mains 2026 20

Key Concept

Final Tips:

• Practice numerical problems daily

• Memorize important reactions and processes

• Focus on exceptions and anomalies

• Understand periodic trends thoroughly

• Practice qualitative analysis systematically

All the Best for JEE Mains 2026!

Best of luck for JEE 2026!