MCQMediumJEE 2026Crystal Field Theory

JEE Chemistry 2026 Question with Solution

Given below are two statements:

Statement I: The number of paramagnetic species among [CoF6]3[\mathrm{CoF_6}]^{3-}, [TiF6]3[\mathrm{TiF_6}]^{3-}, V2O5\mathrm{V_2O_5} and [Fe(CN)6]3[\mathrm{Fe(CN)_6}]^{3-} is 33.

Statement II: K4[Fe(CN)6]<K3[Fe(CN)6]<[Fe(H2O)6]SO4H2O<[Fe(H2O)6]Cl3\mathrm{K_4[Fe(CN)_6]} < \mathrm{K_3[Fe(CN)_6]} < \mathrm{[Fe(H_2O)_6]SO_4 \cdot H_2O} < \mathrm{[Fe(H_2O)_6]Cl_3} is the correct order in terms of number of unpaired electrons.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  • A

    Both Statement I and Statement II are false

  • B

    Statement I is false but Statement II is true

  • C

    Statement I is true but Statement II is false

  • D

    Both Statement I and Statement II are true

Answer

Correct answer:D

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Two statements about paramagnetic species and the order of number of unpaired electrons in iron complexes.

Find: Which option correctly identifies the truth values of Statement I and Statement II.

Step 1: Analysis of Statement I

[CoF6]3[\mathrm{CoF_6}]^{3-}

is high spin and paramagnetic.

[TiF6]3[\mathrm{TiF_6}]^{3-}

contains one unpaired electron and is paramagnetic.

V2O5\mathrm{V_2O_5}

contains unpaired electrons and is paramagnetic.

[Fe(CN)6]3[\mathrm{Fe(CN)_6}]^{3-}

is low spin due to strong field ligand CN\mathrm{CN^-} and has unpaired electrons.

Hence, 33 species are paramagnetic. Statement I is true.

Step 2: Analysis of Statement II

CN\mathrm{CN^-} is a strong field ligand causing pairing of electrons, while H2O\mathrm{H_2O} is a weak field ligand causing maximum unpaired electrons.

Thus, the given increasing order of unpaired electrons is correct:

K4[Fe(CN)6]<K3[Fe(CN)6]<[Fe(H2O)6]SO4H2O<[Fe(H2O)6]Cl3\mathrm{K_4[Fe(CN)_6]} < \mathrm{K_3[Fe(CN)_6]} < \mathrm{[Fe(H_2O)_6]SO_4 \cdot H_2O} < \mathrm{[Fe(H_2O)_6]Cl_3}

Statement II is true.

Conclusion: Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. The correct option is D.

Ligand Field Interpretation

Given: Strong field ligands like CN\mathrm{CN^-} cause electron pairing, while weak field ligands like H2O\mathrm{H_2O} increase paramagnetism.

Find: Whether each statement is true using ligand strength and unpaired electron count.

For Statement I, the solution states that:

  • [CoF6]3[\mathrm{CoF_6}]^{3-} is high spin and paramagnetic.
  • [TiF6]3[\mathrm{TiF_6}]^{3-} has one unpaired electron and is paramagnetic.
  • V2O5\mathrm{V_2O_5} is paramagnetic.
  • [Fe(CN)6]3[\mathrm{Fe(CN)_6}]^{3-} is low spin but still has unpaired electrons.

Therefore, the count of paramagnetic species is taken as 33, so Statement I is true.

For Statement II, the solution uses ligand field strength:

  • K4[Fe(CN)6]\mathrm{K_4[Fe(CN)_6]} has the fewest unpaired electrons because CN\mathrm{CN^-} is a strong field ligand.
  • K3[Fe(CN)6]\mathrm{K_3[Fe(CN)_6]} has more unpaired electrons than K4[Fe(CN)6]\mathrm{K_4[Fe(CN)_6]}.
  • [Fe(H2O)6]SO4H2O\mathrm{[Fe(H_2O)_6]SO_4 \cdot H_2O} has more unpaired electrons because H2O\mathrm{H_2O} is a weak field ligand.
  • [Fe(H2O)6]Cl3\mathrm{[Fe(H_2O)_6]Cl_3} has the maximum unpaired electrons in this sequence.

So the increasing order is correct, and Statement II is true.

Conclusion: Both statements are true, so the correct option is D.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming that low spin always means diamagnetic is incorrect. A low spin complex can still have unpaired electrons; check the actual electronic configuration instead.

  • Treating CN\mathrm{CN^-} and H2O\mathrm{H_2O} as giving the same spin state is wrong. CN\mathrm{CN^-} is a strong field ligand and promotes pairing, while H2O\mathrm{H_2O} is weaker and usually gives more unpaired electrons.

  • Counting paramagnetic species without examining each species individually leads to error. Evaluate [CoF6]3[\mathrm{CoF_6}]^{3-}, [TiF6]3[\mathrm{TiF_6}]^{3-}, V2O5\mathrm{V_2O_5}, and [Fe(CN)6]3[\mathrm{Fe(CN)_6}]^{3-} one by one before deciding the total.

Practice more Crystal Field Theory questions

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

Related questions