INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

The Inorganic Chemistry syllabus for UPSC Chemistry Optional (as part of Plutus IAS coaching) covers a wide range of topics, focusing on atomic structure, bonding theories, periodicity, coordination chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, and more.

• Atomic Structure:

  • Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle
  • Schrödinger wave equation
  • Quantum numbers
  • Hydrogen atom wave functions
  • Shapes of s, p, and d orbitals

• Chemical Bonding:

  • Ionic bond characteristics
  • Lattice energy and Born-Haber cycle
  • Covalent bond properties
  • Valence Bond Theory and Molecular Orbital Theory
  • Bond order, strength, and length

• Solid State:

  • Crystal systems and lattice structures
  • Bragg’s law and X-ray diffraction
  • Close packing and radius ratio rules
  • Structures of NaCl, ZnS, CsCl, CaF₂
  • Defects in solids and semiconductors

• Gaseous State and Transport Phenomenon:

  • Real gas equations and critical phenomena
  • Maxwell’s distribution of speeds
  • Thermal conductivity and viscosity of gases

• Thermodynamics:

  • First and second laws
  • Entropy and free energy
  • Maxwell relations
  • Criteria for equilibrium
  • Nernst heat theorem

• Phase Equilibria and Solutions:

  • Clausius-Clapeyron equation
  • Phase diagrams
  • Partial molar quantities
  • Excess thermodynamic functions

• Electrochemistry:

  • Debye-Hückel theory
  • Galvanic and concentration cells
  • Electrochemical series
  • Electroanalytical techniques

• Chemical Kinetics:

  • Rate equations for various orders
  • Effect of temperature and pressure on rate constants
  • Collision and transition state theories

• Photochemistry:

  • Absorption of light
  • Decay of excited states
  • Photochemical reactions of hydrogen and halogens

• Surface Phenomena and Catalysis:

  • Adsorption isotherms
  • Determination of surface area
  • Mechanisms of heterogeneous catalysis

• Bioinorganic Chemistry:

  • Metal ions in biological systems
  • Ion-transport mechanisms
  • Oxygen-uptake proteins
  • Cytochromes and ferredoxins

• Coordination Chemistry:

  • Bonding theories in metal complexes
  • Isomerism and nomenclature
  • Stability and kinetics of complexes
  • Metal carbonyls and nitrosyls
  • Compounds with metal-metal bonds

• Main Group Chemistry:

  • Boranes, borazines, phosphazenes
  • Silicates and silicones
  • Interhalogen and noble gas compounds

• General Chemistry of ‘f’ Block Elements:

  • Lanthanides and actinides
  • Separation techniques
  • Oxidation states
  • Magnetic and spectral properties
  • Lanthanide contraction