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Chemistry — Inorganic Chemistry for the NEET Exam

Inorganic Chemistry in NEET is the most memorisation-dependent subject but is highly rewarding for well-prepared students. p-block reactions, coordination chemistry, and chemical bonding questions are NCERT-derived and do not require creative reasoning — they require accurate, detailed recall. VSEPR geometry and hybridisation questions appear in nearly every NEET paper.

NTA NEET-UG Information Bulletin — Chemistry syllabus: s-Block, p-Block, d/f-Block Elements, Coordination Compounds, Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure.

Locale-specific study guides

Pass-rate data, regulatory context, and study tips for Chemistry — Inorganic Chemistry all change by candidate locale. Pick your context:

Common failure modes

These are the patterns that cause most candidates to lose marks on this topic. Recognising them in advance is half the work.

  • !Wrong VSEPR geometry when lone pairs are present — SF₄ is see-saw (not square planar), ClF₃ is T-shaped, XeF₂ is linear
  • !Confusing the colour of transition metal complexes — mistakes in d-d transition colour predictions
  • !Misidentifying the oxidation state of transition metals in complex ions (especially Fe, Cr, Mn)
  • !Forgetting that s-block elements (alkali and alkaline earth metals) react with water at different rates depending on the period
  • !Confusing the unique properties of fluorine vs other halogens (highest electronegativity, no d-orbitals, forms only −1 oxidation state)

Study tips

  • 1Make a VSEPR geometry table: list molecular formula, electron pairs (bonding + lone pairs), and resulting geometry. NEET tests at least 2 VSEPR problems per year.
  • 2For p-block, use the "top-to-bottom down the group" mnemonic approach: anomalous behaviour of first members (N, O, F) compared to heavier congeners.
  • 3Memorise coordination compound IUPAC names, magnetic properties (number of unpaired d-electrons), and crystal field theory basics (octahedral vs tetrahedral splitting).
  • 4Drill NCERT Inorganic reactions: preparation of SO₂ from Cu + H₂SO₄, production of NO from HNO₃, Ostwald process, Haber process, Contact process.
  • 5For hydrogen bonding, know examples: inter-molecular (H₂O, HF, NH₃) vs intra-molecular (o-nitrophenol, salicylaldehyde). NEET asks about effects on boiling point.

Sample NEET Chemistry — Inorganic Chemistry questions

These sample items mirror the format and difficulty of real NEET questions. Practice with thousands more on the free Koydo question bank.

  1. 1

    The geometry of XeF₄ according to VSEPR theory is:

    • ATetrahedral
    • BSquare planarCorrect
    • CSee-saw
    • DSquare pyramidal
    Why this answer?

    XeF₄ has 6 electron pairs around Xe: 4 bonding pairs + 2 lone pairs. The electron-pair geometry is octahedral. The two lone pairs occupy axial positions, giving a square planar molecular geometry.

  2. 2

    The number of unpaired electrons in Fe³⁺ in the ground state (outer d-electrons in high-spin) is:

    • A3
    • B4
    • C5Correct
    • D6
    Why this answer?

    Fe³⁺ has the configuration [Ar] 3d⁵. In the high-spin state, Hund's rule places one electron in each of the five 3d orbitals, giving 5 unpaired electrons. This maximum spin state corresponds to the maximum magnetic moment.

  3. 3

    Which of the following does NOT exhibit hydrogen bonding?

    • AH₂O
    • BHF
    • CNH₃
    • DHClCorrect
    Why this answer?

    Hydrogen bonding requires a hydrogen atom bonded to a highly electronegative atom (N, O, or F). HCl involves Cl, which is less electronegative and has a larger atomic radius than F, O, or N — its H is insufficiently positive and Cl insufficiently electronegative for significant hydrogen bonding. H₂O, HF, and NH₃ all exhibit hydrogen bonding.

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