GATE Inorganic Chemistry: Transition Metals: Coordination chemistry – structure and isomerism, theories of bonding (VBT, CFT, and MOT). Metal-metal multiple bonds. Energy level diagrams in various crystal fields, CFSE, applications of CFT, Jahn-Teller distortion. Electronic spectra of transition metal complexes: spectroscopic term symbols, selection rules, Orgel and Tanabe-Sugano diagrams, nephelauxetic effect and Racah parameter, charge-transfer spectra. Magnetic properties of transition metal complexes. Ray-Dutt and Bailar twists, Reaction mechanisms: kinetic and thermodynamic stability, associative, dissociative substitution and redox reactions. – Previous Year Questions

14 GATE previous year questions on Transition Metals: Coordination chemistry – structure and isomerism, theories of bonding (VBT, CFT, and MOT). Metal-metal multiple bonds. Energy level diagrams in various crystal fields, CFSE, applications of CFT, Jahn-Teller distortion. Electronic spectra of transition metal complexes: spectroscopic term symbols, selection rules, Orgel and Tanabe-Sugano diagrams, nephelauxetic effect and Racah parameter, charge-transfer spectra. Magnetic properties of transition metal complexes. Ray-Dutt and Bailar twists, Reaction mechanisms: kinetic and thermodynamic stability, associative, dissociative substitution and redox reactions. (Inorganic Chemistry, Chemistry) with answers and explanations, from every paper.

1. GATE 2026 CY Q16 (1 mark, Multiple choice) – According to molecular orbital theory, the correct ground-state electronic configuration for [Co(NH 3) 6]3+ is
2. GATE 2026 CY Q42 (2 marks, Multiple choice) – The pair of complex ions that exhibits the slowest outer-sphere electron-exchange reaction at 25 °C is
3. GATE 2026 CY Q52 (2 marks, Multiple select) – Consider the given pairs of complex ions. The correct pair(s) in which each complex ion exhibits three spin-allowed d-d transitions (excluding those…
4. GATE 2026 CY Q59 (2 marks, Numerical answer) – The sum of metal–metal bond orders in [Os 2Cl 8]2-, [Re 2Cl 8]2-, [W 2(NMe 2) 6], and [Mo(C 5H 5)(CO) 2] 2 is (integer).
5. GATE 2025 CY Q13 (1 mark, Multiple choice) – Upon cooling from room temperature, the magnetic susceptibility of MnO slowly increases until 118 K, and then it decreases. This phenomenon is known…
6. GATE 2025 CY Q14 (1 mark, Multiple choice) – An aqueous solution of Co(ClO 4) 26H 2O is light pink in colour. Addition of conc. HCl results in an intense blue coloured solution due to the…
7. GATE 2025 CY Q40 (2 marks, Multiple choice) – The effective magnetic moment, eff value for [Cr(H 2O) 6]3+ taking into account for spin-orbit coupling is closest to [Given: Atomic number of Cr =…
8. GATE 2025 CY Q49 (2 marks, Multiple select) – The UV-visible spectrum of [Ni(en) 3]2+ (en = ethylenediamine) shows absorbance maxima at 11200, 18350, and 29000 cm-1. Absorbance maximum Electronic…
9. GATE 2025 CY Q51 (2 marks, Multiple select) – The complex(es) having metal-metal bond order 3.5 is/are [Given: The atomic numbers of Mo, Cr, Mn, and Re are 42, 24, 25, and 75, respectively.]
10. GATE 2024 CY Q12 (1 mark, Multiple choice) – The ground state of [Cr(H 2O) 6]2+ is
11. GATE 2024 CY Q21 (1 mark, Multiple select) – The complex(es) with distorted octahedral structure is (are)
12. GATE 2024 CY Q30 (1 mark, Numerical answer) – The crystal field stabilization energy of [Cr(NH 3) 6]3+ with o value of 21600\ cm-1 is y\ cm-1. The value of y is . (rounded off to the nearest…
13. GATE 2024 CY Q49 (2 marks, Multiple select) – The complex(es) that exhibit(s) optical isomerism is (are)
14. GATE 2024 CY Q50 (2 marks, Multiple select) – In aqueous solution of K 4[Fe(CN) 6], the allowed transition(s) is (are)