UPSC Chemistry Optional Syllabus 2025 for Paper 1 & Paper 2, PDF

Topic

Details

Atomic Structure

Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, Schrödinger wave equation, quantum numbers, hydrogen atom wave functions, shapes of s, p, and d orbitals.

Chemical Bonding

Ionic bonds, lattice energy, Born-Haber cycle, covalent bonds, polarities, resonance, molecular orbital theory, bond order, strength, and length.

Solid State

Crystal systems, lattice structures, Bragg’s law, X-ray diffraction, close packing, radius ratio rules, structures of NaCl, ZnS, CsCl, CaF2, defects, and semiconductors.

Gaseous State and Transport Phenomenon

Equation of state for real gases, intermolecular interactions, critical phenomena, Maxwell’s distribution, thermal conductivity, and viscosity.

Liquid State

Kelvin equation, surface tension, surface energy, wetting, contact angle, interfacial tension, and capillary action.

Thermodynamics

First and second laws, entropy, free energy functions, Maxwell relations, temperature, volume, pressure dependence, J-T effect, equilibrium, and Nernst heat theorem.

Phase Equilibria and Solutions

Clausius-Clapeyron equation, phase diagram, binary systems, partial molar quantities, excess thermodynamic functions.

Electrochemistry

Debye-Hückel theory, galvanic and concentration cells, electrochemical series, electrode processes, rate of charge transfer, electroanalytical techniques.

Chemical Kinetics

Rate equations for various orders, reactions, temperature and pressure effects, fast reaction methods, collisions, and transition state theories.

Photochemistry

Light absorption, decay of excited states, photochemical reactions, quantum yields.

Surface Phenomena and Catalysis

Adsorption isotherms, surface area determination, reaction mechanisms on heterogeneous catalysts.

Bioinorganic Chemistry

Metal ions in biological systems, ion-transport, oxygen-uptake proteins, cytochromes, and ferredoxins.

Coordination Chemistry

Bonding theories, isomerism, nomenclature, stereochemistry, chelate effect, trans effect, substitution reactions, stability, metal carbonyls, and metal-aromatic complexes.

Main Group Chemistry

Boranes, borazines, phosphazenes, silicates, silicones, interhalogen compounds, sulfur-nitrogen compounds, noble gas compounds.

General Chemistry of ‘f’ Block Elements

Lanthanides and actinides: separation, oxidation states, magnetic and spectral properties, lanthanide contraction.

Topic

Details

Atomic Structure

Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, Schrödinger wave equation (time independent), wave function interpretation, particle in a one-dimensional box, quantum numbers, hydrogen atom wave functions, shapes of s, p, and d orbitals.

Chemical Bonding

Ionic bonds, characteristics of ionic compounds, lattice energy, Born-Haber cycle, covalent bonds, bond polarities, valence bond theory, resonance, molecular orbital theory (LCAO method), bond order, strength, and length.

Solid State

Crystal systems, lattice structures, unit cell, Bragg’s law, X-ray diffraction, close packing, radius ratio rules, structures of NaCl, ZnS, CsCl, CaF2, stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric defects, impurity defects, semiconductors.

Gaseous State and Transport Phenomenon

Equation of state for real gases, intermolecular interactions, critical phenomena, liquefaction of gases, Maxwell’s distribution of speeds, intermolecular collisions, collisions on the wall, effusion, thermal conductivity, viscosity of ideal gases.

Liquid State

Kelvin equation, surface tension, surface energy, wetting, contact angle, interfacial tension, capillary action.

Thermodynamics

Work, heat, internal energy, first law of thermodynamics, second law, entropy as a state function, entropy changes, entropy-reversibility, irreversibility, free energy functions, thermodynamic equation of state, Maxwell relations, temperature, volume, pressure dependence, J-T effect, equilibrium, Nernst heat theorem, third law of thermodynamics.

Phase Equilibria and Solutions

Clausius-Clapeyron equation, phase diagram for a pure substance, phase equilibria in binary systems, partially miscible liquids, upper and lower critical solution temperatures, partial molar quantities, excess thermodynamic functions.

Electrochemistry

Debye-Hückel theory, galvanic cells, concentration cells, electrochemical series, measurement of e.m.f. of cells, fuel cells, batteries, processes at electrodes, double layer, rate of charge transfer, current density, overpotential, electroanalytical techniques (amperometry, ion-selective electrodes).

Chemical Kinetics

Differential and integral rate equations for zeroth, first, second, fractional order reactions, reverse, parallel, consecutive, and chain reactions, branching chain reactions, explosions, temperature and pressure effects on rate constant, fast reaction methods (stop-flow, relaxation), collisions, transition state theories.

Photochemistry

Absorption of light, decay of excited states, photochemical reactions between hydrogen and halogens, quantum yields.

Surface Phenomena and Catalysis

Adsorption from gases and solutions on solid adsorbents, Langmuir and B.E.T. adsorption isotherms, surface area determination, reaction mechanisms on heterogeneous catalysts.

Bioinorganic Chemistry

Metal ions in biological systems, ion-transport mechanisms, oxygen-uptake proteins, cytochromes, ferredoxins.

Coordination Chemistry

Bonding in transition metal complexes, valence bond theory, crystal field theory, isomerism, nomenclature, stereochemistry, chelate effect, polynuclear complexes, trans effect, substitution reactions in square-planar complexes, thermodynamic and kinetic stability, EAN rule, synthesis, structure, reactivity of metal carbonyls, carboxylate anions, carbonyl hydrides, metal nitrosyl compounds, complexes with aromatic systems, coordinative unsaturation, oxidative addition reactions, insertion reactions, fluxional molecules, metal-metal bonds, metal atom clusters.

Main Group Chemistry

Boranes, borazines, phosphazenes, cyclic phosphazene, silicates, silicones, interhalogen compounds, sulfur-nitrogen compounds, noble gas compounds.

General Chemistry of ‘f’ Block Elements

Lanthanides and actinides: separation, oxidation states, magnetic and spectral properties, lanthanide contraction.

S.No.

Book

Author

1

Physical Chemistry

P.W. Atkins

2

Concise Inorganic Chemistry

J.D. Lee

3

Organic Chemistry

Morrison & Boyd

4

Quantum Chemistry

Ira N. Levine

5

Chemical Kinetics and Catalysis

Richard I. Masel

6

Solid State Chemistry and its Applications

Anthony R. West

7

Spectroscopy of Organic Compounds

P.S. Kalsi

S.No.

Book

Author

1

Advanced Organic Chemistry

Francis A. Carey & Sundberg

2

Inorganic Chemistry

C. Housecroft & A.G. Sharpe

3

The Elements of Physical Chemistry

P.W. Atkins

4

Modern Electrochemistry

John O’M. Bockris & Amulya K.N. Reddy

5

Molecular Quantum Mechanics

Atkins & Friedman

6

Organic Synthesis: The Disconnection Approach

Stuart Warren & Paul Wyatt

7

Industrial Chemicals

W.L. Faith, D.B. Keyes & R.L. Clark