The GATE Grind

GATE Inorganic Chemistry: Main Group Elements: Shapes and structures of molecules using VSEPR postulates, Hydrides, halides, oxides, oxoacids, nitrides, sulfides - shapes and reactivity. Structure and bonding of boranes, carboranes, silicones, silicates, boron nitride, borazine and phosphazenes: electron counting in polyhedral boranes, isolobal analogy. Allotropes of carbon, phosphorus and sulfur. Industrial synthesis of compounds of main group elements such as NH3, H2SO4 and HNO3. Chemistry of noble gases and interhalogen compounds. Acid-base concepts and principles (Lewis, Brønsted, HSAB and acid-base catalysis). – Previous Year Questions

8 GATE previous year questions on Main Group Elements: Shapes and structures of molecules using VSEPR postulates, Hydrides, halides, oxides, oxoacids, nitrides, sulfides - shapes and reactivity. Structure and bonding of boranes, carboranes, silicones, silicates, boron nitride, borazine and phosphazenes: electron counting in polyhedral boranes, isolobal analogy. Allotropes of carbon, phosphorus and sulfur. Industrial synthesis of compounds of main group elements such as NH3, H2SO4 and HNO3. Chemistry of noble gases and interhalogen compounds. Acid-base concepts and principles (Lewis, Brønsted, HSAB and acid-base catalysis). (Inorganic Chemistry, Chemistry) with answers and explanations, from every paper.

  1. GATE 2026 CY Q43 (2 marks, Multiple choice) – The structure of B4H10 is given below. Its styx number is
  2. GATE 2025 CY Q11 (1 mark, Multiple choice) – The phosphazene compound that acts as a superbase is
  3. GATE 2025 CY Q12 (1 mark, Multiple choice) – The reaction for the synthesis of Me2SiCl2 through Rochow-Müller process is
  4. GATE 2025 CY Q22 (1 mark, Multiple select) – Under the conditions mentioned for each reaction, the reaction(s) that would give borazine (B3N3H6) as the major product is/are
  5. GATE 2025 CY Q30 (1 mark, Numerical answer) – Xe and F 2 in 1:1 molar ratio when mixed in a closed flask and kept in the sunlight for a day, gave white crystals of a compound Q. Two equivalents of…
  6. GATE 2025 CY Q48 (2 marks, Multiple select) – The compound(s) having structure similar to that of B2H6 is/are
  7. GATE 2024 CY Q13 (1 mark, Multiple choice) – The reaction of XeF 2 with HN(SO 2F) 2 at 273 K in CF 2Cl 2 solvent yields
  8. GATE 2024 CY Q36 (2 marks, Multiple choice) – Borax on treatment with NaOH and H 2O 2 forms X. Compound X on reaction with PhCN at 60 °C in methanol–water gives Y as major product. X and Y,…