CBSE Class 12 Coordination Compounds PYQs Analysis (2021-2025)

Based on detailed analysis of last 5 years' papers. Perfect for 2026 Boards prep!

Key Trends

Most Important and Repeated Questions

Question Example Type/Marks Years Repeated Notes
For [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺: Hybridization, geometry, magnetic nature (diamagnetic, low spin). Compare with [CoF₆]³⁻ (paramagnetic, high spin). Short Answer (2-3 marks) 2021 Term 2, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Repeated 5x; d²sp³ octahedral, 0 unpaired vs sp³d², 4 unpaired.
Write IUPAC name for [Co(en)₂Cl₂]⁺. Explain geometrical isomerism (cis-trans). Nomenclature/Reasoning (2 marks) 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Repeated 4x; Dichloridobis(ethane-1,2-diamine)cobalt(III).
Explain CFT for octahedral complexes. Draw splitting diagram, why ∆o > ∆t for tetrahedral? Reasoning/Diagram (3 marks) 2021 Term 1, 2022, 2023, 2025 Repeated 4x; eg/t2g split vs t2/e.
Why are coordination compounds colored? Explain d-d transition in [Ti(H₂O)₆]³⁺ (d¹). Short Answer (2 marks) 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Repeated 4x; Visible light absorption.
Assertion: [Ni(CN)₄]²⁻ is square planar and diamagnetic. Reason: Strong field CN⁻ causes pairing. Assertion-Reason (1 mark) 2023, 2024, 2025 Repeated 3x; dsp², 0 unpaired.
Differentiate VBT and CFT. For [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻, hybridization and magnetic nature. Comparison (3 marks) 2021 Term 2, 2023, 2024 Repeated 3x; VBT d²sp³, CFT low spin.
Explain linkage isomerism with example ([Co(NH₃)₅(NO₂)]²⁺ vs [Co(NH₃)₅(ONO)]²⁺). Short Answer (2 marks) 2022, 2024, 2025 Repeated 3x; Nitro vs nitrito.
Biological importance: Haemoglobin (Fe²⁺ coordination), chlorophyll (Mg). Case-Based (4 marks) 2023, 2025 Repeated 2x; O₂ binding.
MCQ: Optical isomers in [Co(en)₃]³⁺? (a) 2 (b) 0. MCQ (1 mark) 2024, 2025 Repeated 2x; (a) d/l.
Spectrochemical series: Arrange ligands for [Co³⁺] complex (Cl⁻, NH₃, CN⁻) by field strength. Short Answer (2 marks) 2022, 2023 Repeated 2x; Cl⁻ < NH₃ < CN⁻.

Best Format for Preparation and Answering

Share this with your study group for 2026 Boards success!