Chemistry

UPSC Chemistry 2022

All 16 questions from the 2022 Civil Services Mains Chemistry paper across 2 papers — 800 marks in total. Each question comes with a detailed evaluation rubric, directive word analysis, and model answer points.

16Questions
800Total marks
2Papers
2022Exam year

Paper I

8 questions · 400 marks
Q1
50M Compulsory compare Quantum chemistry, thermodynamics and electrochemistry

1.(a) Compare average and most probable values of position of an electron in the ground state of hydrogen atom. Explain with the help of drawing, why two values differ. (10 marks)…

Q2
50M calculate Thermodynamics, quantum mechanics and solid state chemistry

2.(a) An automobile tyre contains air at 320×10³ Pa at 20°C. The stem valve is removed and the air is allowed to expand adiabatically against a constant external pressure of 100×1…

Q3
50M explain Physical chemistry - thermodynamics and chemical bonding

(a) Identify the least stable ion of the following ions and justify your answer. OCN⁻ ONC⁻ SCN⁻ (10 marks) (b) A 74·6 g ice cube floats in the sea. The temperature and pressure of…

Q4
50M solve Physical chemistry - thermodynamics and electrochemistry

(a) By using the following given data, find that under what conditions is H₂ in the state corresponding to N₂ at 126 K and 1 atm ? | Gas | Tc/K | Pc/atm | |---|---|---| | H₂ | 33…

Q5
50M Compulsory derive Chemical kinetics, photochemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, coordination compounds, organosilicon chemistry

(a) The rate Law for the reaction N₂O₂(g) → 2NO(g) is of first order in the concentration of N₂O₂. Derive an expression for the time-dependent behaviour of the product concentrati…

Q6
50M explain Organometallic chemistry, lanthanide chemistry, coordination chemistry, noble gas chemistry, boron chemistry, transition metal chemistry

(a) (i) Calculate the number of metal-metal bond in Cp₂Fe₂(CO)₄. (ii) Determine the structural type of the metal atom cluster, Bi₅³⁺. (10 marks) (b) Why are 4f metal ions (lanthan…

Q7
50M explain Coordination chemistry and chemical kinetics

(a) Cite one example of an optically active tetracoordinated complex compound where the metal ion and donor atoms lie on a plane. Justify your answer. 10 marks (b) Consider aqueou…

Q8
50M explain Bioinorganic chemistry and surface chemistry

(a) Which one is more stable between the two isomers? Explain. [(H₃N)₅ Cr – CN – Cr(CN)₅] [(H₃N)₅ Cr – NC – Cr(CN)₅] 10 marks (b) Draw the active site structure of Hemocyanin (Hc)…

Paper II

8 questions · 400 marks
Q1
50M Compulsory explain Organic chemistry reaction mechanisms

(a) Ionization of 3,4-dichloro-1,2,3,4-tetramethylcyclobutene in SbF₅-SO₂ at –75 °C produces a reaction intermediate of its own kind. Predict the intermediate and comment on its s…

Q2
50M predict Organic synthesis and reaction mechanisms

(a) Predict the products X and Y in the following reactions: (5×3=15 marks) (i) 1-allyl-2,2-dimethylcyclopropan-1-ol [figure] →(1) O₃ (2) H₂O₂→ X + Y (ii) bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-2-c…

Q3
50M explain Organic chemistry mechanisms and reactions

(a) The compound A, acetal of acetaldehyde, on reaction with B, under given reaction conditions, yields C and the final product D: A, CH₃CH(OMe)₂ + B, CH₂=CH–CH(OH)–R —propionic a…

Q4
50M explain Organic synthesis and reaction mechanisms

(a) (i) Complete the following reaction by showing stepwise reaction mechanism for the formation of products : trans-but-2-ene (Me–CH=CH–Me, E) + PhCOOOH —OH⁻→ (10 marks) (ii) The…

Q5
50M Compulsory discuss Biochemistry, organic synthesis, and spectroscopy

(a) Write the structures of nucleosides and nucleotides, and discuss the primary structures of DNA and RNA. (10 marks) (b) Write down the products obtained after photolysis of 2-m…

Q6
50M explain Organic photochemistry, polymerization, and stereochemistry

(a) Predict the products in the following reactions : (i) PhCO–CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃ (valerophenone) + CH₃CO–CH₂CH₂–CD₂–CH₃ (hexan-2-one-5,5-d₂) --hv--> Propose suitable mechanism to justi…

Q7
50M discuss Protein structures and spectroscopic analysis

(a) Discuss the different types of secondary structures of proteins and compare these structures with tertiary structure of proteins. 15 marks (b) Complete the following reactions…

Q8
50M explain Spectroscopic techniques in organic chemistry

(a) (i) Among the following compounds I and II, which has more carbonyl stretching frequency in IR spectra? Explain: I = 1-acetylcyclohexene II = 1-acetyl-2-methylcyclohexene 5 ma…

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