Karnataka 2nd PUC Chemistry Chapter 5 Important Questions: Coordination Compounds

Karnataka 2nd PUC Chemistry Chapter 5 Important Questions: Coordination Compounds is an important chapter in 2nd PUC Chemistry, particularly for questions based on Werner’s theory, nomenclature, ligands, coordination number, isomerism and bonding.

Students should not limit their preparation to definitions. This chapter also requires regular practice of formula-based questions, naming coordination compounds, identifying oxidation states, determining coordination numbers and understanding different types of isomerism.

The questions below can be used for revision, written practice and quick preparation before the Karnataka 2nd PUC Chemistry exam.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Coordination Compounds Important Questions

Some important questions from the chapter are:

1. Define a coordination compound.

2. What is a ligand?

3. Define coordination number.

4. What is a coordination entity?

5. Explain Werner’s theory of coordination compounds.

6. What is a coordination sphere?

7. Differentiate between homoleptic and heteroleptic complexes.

8. What is a chelating ligand?

9. Explain ionisation isomerism with an example.

10. What is geometrical isomerism?

11. Explain the bonding in coordination compounds.

12. What is denticity?

13. Differentiate between primary and secondary valencies.

14. Explain the applications of coordination compounds.

15. What are inner-orbital and outer-orbital complexes?

Coordination Compounds 1 Mark Important Questions

Students should be able to answer the following questions in one or two lines:

• Define ligand.

• What is coordination number?

• Define coordination entity.

• Give an example of a bidentate ligand.

• What is a chelating ligand?

• What is meant by denticity?

• Define a homoleptic complex.

• Give an example of a heteroleptic complex.

• What is a coordination sphere?

• What is a secondary valency according to Werner’s theory?

These short questions are useful for quick revision because the basic terminology is used throughout the chapter.

Coordination Compounds 2 Mark Questions

1. State any two postulates of Werner’s theory.

2. Differentiate between primary and secondary valency.

3. Differentiate between a ligand and coordination number.

4. Explain the meaning of denticity with an example.

5. What are homoleptic and heteroleptic complexes?

6. Write the different types of isomerism shown by coordination compounds.

7. Explain ionisation isomerism with a suitable example.

8. What is meant by a chelate? Give an example.

Coordination Compounds 3 Mark Questions

1. Explain Werner’s coordination theory.

2. Explain geometrical isomerism with a suitable example.

3. Explain bonding in coordination compounds using Valence Bond Theory.

4. Explain the applications of coordination compounds.

5. Explain structural and stereoisomerism in coordination compounds.

6. Explain inner-orbital and outer-orbital complexes.

While preparing three-mark answers, students should focus on the definition, explanation and a suitable example wherever required.

Coordination Compounds Nomenclature Important Questions

Nomenclature is one of the areas that needs repeated practice. Students should practise both directions:

• Writing the name when the formula is given

• Writing the formula when the name is given

• Identifying the ligand

• Finding the oxidation state of the central metal

• Finding the coordination number

• Identifying the central metal ion

• Arranging ligand names correctly

• Naming anionic and neutral complexes

For every nomenclature question, first identify the coordination entity, then calculate the oxidation state of the central metal and finally apply the naming rules.

Werner’s Theory Important Questions

Werner’s theory is a frequently practised area of this chapter. Important questions include:

1. State the postulates of Werner’s theory.

2. What are primary valencies?

3. What are secondary valencies?

4. Why is secondary valency equal to the coordination number?

5. Differentiate between primary and secondary valencies.

6. Explain the directional nature of secondary valencies.

7. Identify the primary and secondary valencies of the central metal in a given complex.

Practice MCQ

Which of the following is NOT a postulate of Werner’s theory of coordination compounds?

(a) Metals possess two types of valency – primary and secondary
(b) Primary valency is ionisable and satisfied by negative ions
(c) Secondary valency is non-directional in nature
(d) Secondary valency is equal to the coordination number

Answer: (c)

Secondary valencies are directional in nature.

Coordination Number and Oxidation State Questions

Practise questions in which you have to determine:

• Coordination number

• Oxidation state

• Charge on the coordination entity

• Number of ligands

• Denticity of ligands

For example, in [Co(NH₃)₅Cl]Cl₂, students should be able to identify the oxidation state of cobalt and the coordination number without confusion.

These calculations become easier when students first separate the ions outside the coordination sphere from the species inside the square brackets.

Coordination Compounds Isomerism Important Questions

Revise both structural and stereoisomerism with suitable examples.

Important questions include:

1. What is isomerism in coordination compounds?

2. Explain ionisation isomerism.

3. Explain geometrical isomerism.

4. Give an example of cis-trans isomerism.

5. Differentiate between structural and stereoisomerism.

6. Draw the possible geometrical isomers of a suitable complex.

7. Identify the type of isomerism shown by a given pair of complexes.

For these questions, drawing the structures is more useful than memorising only the definitions.

VBT and Bonding Important Questions

Questions related to bonding should be practised along with structures and magnetic behaviour.

Important areas include:

• Valence Bond Theory

• Hybridisation

• Geometry of complexes

• Inner-orbital complexes

• Outer-orbital complexes

• Magnetic behaviour

• Paired and unpaired electrons

• Coordination number and geometry

Practice questions

1. Explain bonding in coordination compounds using Valence Bond Theory.

2. What is meant by an inner-orbital complex?

3. What is an outer-orbital complex?

4. Determine the hybridisation and geometry of a given complex.

5. Identify whether a complex is paramagnetic or diamagnetic.

Coordination Compounds MCQs for Practice

Question 1

The secondary valency of nickel in [Ni(CN)₄]²⁻ is:

(a) 2
(b) 4
(c) 6
(d) 8

Answer: (b) 4

Question 2

Which of the following is a double salt rather than a coordination compound?

(a) K₄[Fe(CN)₆]
(b) [Cu(NH₃)₄]SO₄
(c) FeSO₄·(NH₄)₂SO₄·6H₂O
(d) [Co(NH₃)₆]Cl₃

Answer: (c) FeSO₄·(NH₄)₂SO₄·6H₂O

Question 3

The total number of ions produced when one mole of K₄[Fe(CN)₆] dissolves in water is:

(a) 2
(b) 4
(c) 5
(d) 6

Answer: (c) 5

Question 4

The conductivity of [CoCl₂(NH₃)₄]Cl in solution corresponds to:

(a) 1 mole of ions
(b) 2 moles of ions
(c) 3 moles of ions
(d) 4 moles of ions

Answer: (b) 2 moles of ions

Question 5

The primary valency of cobalt in [Co(NH₃)₅Cl]Cl₂ is:

(a) +2
(b) +3
(c) +1
(d) +4

Answer: (b) +3

Coordination Compounds Previous Year Questions

Previous-year questions can help students understand how the chapter is tested in competitive and board-oriented practice material.

Some recurring question types include:

• Werner’s theory

• Primary and secondary valency

• Coordination number

• Double salts and coordination compounds

• Ionisation in aqueous solution

• Conductivity

• Nomenclature

• Isomerism

• Hybridisation

• Magnetic behaviour

Students should solve previous-year questions without looking at the answer first. After completing the paper, check mistakes and revise the corresponding concept.

Coordination Compounds Important Topics for Revision

Before the exam, make sure these areas are covered:

How to Prepare Coordination Compounds for Karnataka 2nd PUC Chemistry?

Start with the terminology because it forms the base of the chapter. Once the basic terms are clear, move to Werner’s theory, nomenclature and isomerism.

For nomenclature, writing several examples by hand is more effective than reading the rules repeatedly. Similarly, draw structures while studying geometrical isomerism and practise hybridisation-based questions step by step.

Before the examination, solve a mix of 1-mark, 2-mark and 3-mark questions, along with MCQs and previous-year questions.

Related Resources: 

• Karnataka 2nd PUC Mid Term Time Table 2026 

• Karnataka 2nd PUC Mid Term Question Paper

• Karnataka 2nd PUC Previous Year Question Paper 

• Karnataka 2nd PUC Exam Pattern 2027

• Karnataka 2nd PUC Syllabus 2026-27

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