MCQEasyJEE 2025Transition Elements Properties

JEE Chemistry 2025 Question with Solution

Pair of transition metal ions having the same number of unpaired electrons is :

  • A

    V2+,Co2+\mathrm{V}^{2+}, \mathrm{Co}^{2+}

  • B

    Ti2+,Co2+\mathrm{Ti}^{2+}, \mathrm{Co}^{2+}

  • C

    Fe3+,Cr2+\mathrm{Fe}^{3+}, \mathrm{Cr}^{2+}

  • D

    Ti3+,Mn2+\mathrm{Ti}^{3+}, \mathrm{Mn}^{2+}

Answer

Correct answer:A

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Pairs of transition metal ions are given.

Find: The pair having the same number of unpaired electrons.

The number of unpaired electrons depends on the electronic configuration of the ions.

For V2+\mathrm{V}^{2+}:

[Ar]3d3[Ar] \, 3d^3

It has 33 unpaired electrons.

For Co2+\mathrm{Co}^{2+}:

[Ar]3d7[Ar] \, 3d^7

It has 33 unpaired electrons.

For Ti2+\mathrm{Ti}^{2+}:

[Ar]3d2[Ar] \, 3d^2

It has 22 unpaired electrons.

For Fe3+\mathrm{Fe}^{3+}:

[Ar]3d5[Ar] \, 3d^5

It has 55 unpaired electrons.

For Cr2+\mathrm{Cr}^{2+}:

[Ar]3d4[Ar] \, 3d^4

It has 44 unpaired electrons.

For Ti3+\mathrm{Ti}^{3+}:

[Ar]3d1[Ar] \, 3d^1

It has 11 unpaired electron.

For Mn2+\mathrm{Mn}^{2+}:

[Ar]3d5[Ar] \, 3d^5

It has 55 unpaired electrons.

Thus, V2+\mathrm{V}^{2+} and Co2+\mathrm{Co}^{2+} have the same number of unpaired electrons.

Therefore, the correct option is A.

Direct Comparison

Given: Four pairs of ions are listed.

Find: Which pair has equal numbers of unpaired electrons.

Remove electrons first from 4s4s and then count the dd electrons:

  • V2+:3d3\mathrm{V}^{2+} : 3d^3 gives 33 unpaired electrons
  • Co2+:3d7\mathrm{Co}^{2+} : 3d^7 also gives 33 unpaired electrons

The first pair already matches, so no further comparison is needed to identify the correct choice.

Therefore, the correct option is A.

Common mistakes

  • Counting electrons from the neutral atom without removing 4s4s electrons first. This is wrong because in transition metal cations, 4s4s electrons are removed before 3d3d electrons. First write the neutral configuration, then ionize correctly.

  • Assuming equal dd electron counts always mean equal unpaired electrons for any ion. This is wrong because the actual number of unpaired electrons depends on the specific dnd^n configuration. Count unpaired electrons after writing the final ionic configuration.

  • Confusing Fe3+\mathrm{Fe}^{3+} and Mn2+\mathrm{Mn}^{2+} with the required pair. Although both have 3d53d^5 and hence 55 unpaired electrons, they are not paired together in any one option. Always match the ions within the same listed option.

Practice more Transition Elements Properties questions

Get unlimited AI-adaptive practice, mastery tracking, and an AI tutor that explains every step — free to start.

Related questions