SOLUTIONS
2026 BOARD EXAM
CBSE Class 12 PCM Chemistry Board Paper 2026 — Set 2 Solutions
2026
Chemistry
Class 12 PCM
CBSE EXAMINATION PAPER-2026
CHEMISTRY
(Solved)
General Instructions :
Read the following instructions carefully and follow them :
- This question paper contains 41 questions. All questions are compulsory.
- This question paper is divided into 5 sections.
- Section A – questions number 1 to 5 are case based questions
- Section B – questions number 6 to 21 are multiple choice questions
- Section C – questions number 22 to 27 are very short answer
- Section D – questions number 28 to 35 are short answer
- Section E – questions number 36 to 41 are long answer
- There is no overall choice given in the question paper. However, an internal choice has been provided in few questions.
- Use of calculator is NOT allowed.
Section A
(1) Calculate the amount of CaCl₂ (i = 2.59) dissolved in 2.46 litre of water such that its osmotic pressure is 0.70 atm at 27°C. [Given : R = 0.082 L atm K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, molar mass of CaCl₂ = 111 g mol⁻¹]
[2 Marks](2) When raisins are kept in water, they get swollen. Name the phenomenon involved in this process.
[2 Marks](1) Why osmotic pressure is more advantageous than other colligative properties ?
[2 Marks]As mentioned in the case, osmotic pressure helps explain practical applications like matching IV fluids with blood's osmotic pressure for safety.
It is also useful in processes like reverse osmosis for water purification and food preservation, showing its wide practical importance.
(2) Which phenomenon is responsible for desalination of sea water ?
[2 Marks](1) Complete the following equations :
[2 Marks]
(2) Why primary amines have higher boiling points than tertiary amines ?
[2 Marks](1) Classify the following amines as primary, secondary or tertiary :
[2 Marks]
(2) Out of Butan–1–amine and Butan–1–ol, which is more soluble in water ?
[2 Marks]Section B
Identify the correct statement :
Electronic configuration of chromium is :
The correct IUPAC name of the complex [Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂] is :
Which of the following is heteroleptic complex ?
Which of the following molecules is chiral in nature ?
Identify the correct increasing order of boiling points of the given compounds :
The base which is present in DNA but not in RNA is
Proteins are polymers of α-amino acids which are joined to each other by :
Which of the following reactions is not explained by the open chain structure of glucose ?
Assertion (A) : Aromatic primary amines can be prepared by Gabriel Phthalimide synthesis. Reason (R) : Aryl halides do not undergo nucleophilic substitution with the anion formed by phthalimide.
Assertion (A) : Glucose gets oxidized to six carbon gluconic acid on reaction with bromine water. Reason (R) : The carbonyl group is absent in the open chain structure of glucose.
Section C
The concentration of the reactant is reduced from 0.6 mol L⁻¹ to 0.2 mol L⁻¹ in 5 minutes in a first order reaction. Calculate rate constant of the reaction. (log 3 = 0.48)
Rate constant k for the first order reaction is 2.54 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹. Calculate the time required for three-fourth of the reactant to decompose. (log 4 = 0.60)
For a first order reaction, the time t required is given by:
ln([A]0/[A]) = kt
Here, [A]0/[A] = 1 / (1/4) = 4
Therefore, t = (1/k) * ln(4)
ln(4) = 2.303 * log 4 = 2.303 * 0.60 = 1.3818
So, t = 1.3818 / (2.54 * 10-3) = 543.7 s
Hence, the time required for three-fourth of the reactant to decompose is approximately 544 seconds.
(a) Define activation energy.
(b) Write the unit of rate constant for
(i) zero order reaction,
(ii) second order reaction.
(b) Units of rate constant:
(i) For zero order reaction, the unit of rate constant is mol L-1 s-1 (molarity per second).
(ii) For second order reaction, the unit of rate constant is L mol-1 s-1 (liter per mole per second).
(a) First ionization enthalpy of Cr is lower than that of Zn. Why ?
(b) Mention any one property of the transition elements which makes them good catalysts.
(b) Transition elements are good catalysts because they have variable oxidation states which allow them to facilitate different reaction pathways and provide active sites for reactions.
(a) Define coordination number.
(b) Indicate the type of isomerism exhibited by the following complex : [Co(en)₃]Cl₃
(b) The complex [Co(en)3]Cl3 exhibits optical isomerism because it contains three bidentate ethylenediamine (en) ligands arranged octahedrally, forming non-superimposable mirror images called enantiomers.
(a) Draw the structure of the given compound :
4–Bromo–3–methylpent–2–ene
(b) What happens when chloroethane is treated with aqueous potassium hydroxide ?
(b) When chloroethane (C2H5Cl) is treated with aqueous potassium hydroxide (KOH), nucleophilic substitution occurs. The hydroxide ion (OH-) replaces the chlorine atom, forming ethanol (C2H5OH) and potassium chloride (KCl) as a byproduct. The reaction is C2H5Cl + KOH (aq) -> C2H5OH + KCl.
Section D
When 1.5 g of a non-volatile solute was dissolved in 90 g of benzene, the boiling point of benzene got raised from 353.23 K to 353.93 K. Calculate the molar mass of the solute. (Given K_b for benzene = 2.52 K kg mol⁻¹)
Step 1: Calculate the elevation in boiling point, Delta T_b = New boiling point - Original boiling point = 353.93 K - 353.23 K = 0.7 K.
Step 2: Use the formula for boiling point elevation, Delta T_b = K_b * molality (m), so molality m = Delta T_b / K_b = 0.7 / 2.52 = 0.2778 mol/kg.
Step 3: Calculate moles of solute = molality * mass of solvent (kg) = 0.2778 * 0.090 = 0.025 mol.
Step 4: Calculate molar mass M = mass of solute / moles of solute = 1.5 g / 0.025 mol = 60 g/mol.
Answer: The molar mass of the solute is 60 g/mol.
Calculate emf of the following cell at 298 K :
Sn | Sn²⁺ (0.001 M) || H⁺ (0.01 M) | H₂(g) (1 bar) | Pt(s)
Given : E°_Sn²⁺/Sn = – 0.14 V,
E°_H⁺/H₂ = 0.00 V [log 10 = 1]
E = E° - (0.0592 / n) log Q
Here, n = 2 (number of electrons transferred). Reaction quotient Q = [Sn2+] / [H+]2 = 0.001 / (0.01)2 = 0.001 / 0.0001 = 10.
Substitute the values:
E = (-0.14) - (0.0592 / 2) * log 10 = -0.14 - 0.0296 * 1 = -0.14 - 0.0296 = -0.1696 V.
Therefore, the emf of the cell at 298 K is approximately -0.17 V.
Complete and balance the following equations :
(i) 2KMnO₄ −513 K→
(ii) Na₂Cr₂O₇ + 2KCl →
(b) Why is it difficult to separate lanthanoid elements in pure state ?
(ii) Na₂Cr₂O₇ + 2KCl → 2NaCl + K₂Cr₂O₇
Explanation for (i): On heating at 513 K, potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) decomposes to form potassium manganate (K₂MnO₄), manganese dioxide (MnO₂) and potassium oxide (K₂O). This is a thermal decomposition reaction.
Explanation for (ii): Sodium dichromate (Na₂Cr₂O₇) reacts with potassium chloride (KCl) to form potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇) and sodium chloride (NaCl). It is a double displacement reaction.
(b) Why is it difficult to separate lanthanoid elements in pure state?
Lanthanoid elements are difficult to separate because they have very similar chemical properties and ionic radii, resulting in very similar reactivities and chromatographic behaviours. Their elements occur together in nature and their compounds are often mixed, making separation and isolation of pure individual lanthanoids challenging.
(a) [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺ is diamagnetic whereas [CoF₆]³⁻ is paramagnetic. Justify the statement. [Atomic number of Co = 27]
(b) Write the electronic configuration for d4 ion if Δ₀ > P on the basis of crystal field theory.
(a) In [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺, Co is in +3 oxidation state with electronic configuration 3d⁶. NH₃ is a strong field ligand causing pairing of all 6 electrons in the lower energy t₂g orbitals, resulting in no unpaired electrons, making it diamagnetic. The complex involves d₂sp³ hybridisation (inner orbital complex).
(b) For a d⁴ ion where Δ0 > P (strong field ligand), electrons pair in the lower energy t₂g orbitals before occupying eg orbitals. Hence the configuration is t₂g⁴eg⁰ with 0 unpaired electrons.
(b) Define Racemic mixture.
(c) p-dichlorobenzene has a higher melting point as compared to its ortho and meta isomers. Why ?
Write the reaction involved in
(a) Rosenmund’s reduction
(b) Cannizzaro’s reaction
(c) Hell – Volhard – Zelinsky reaction
Reaction: RCOCl + H2 \xrightarrow[Pd/BaSO4]{} RCHO + HCl
(b) Cannizzaro’s reaction: Aldehydes without alpha hydrogen undergo disproportionation in presence of concentrated alkali to give alcohol and carboxylic acid.
Reaction: 2 RCHO + OH- \xrightarrow{} RCOO- + RCH2OH
(c) Hell-Volhard-Zelinsky reaction: Alpha bromination of carboxylic acids using PBr3 and Br2 to form alpha-bromo acid.
Reaction: RCH2COOH + PBr3 + Br2 \xrightarrow{} RCHBrCOOH + HBr
Define the following term:
(a) Reducing sugar
(b) Differentiate between the following :
(i) Fibrous proteins and globular proteins
(ii) Nucleotide and nucleoside
(b) Differences:
(i) Fibrous proteins vs Globular proteins:
Fibrous proteins have long, thread-like structures, are insoluble in water, and provide structural support, e.g., keratin and collagen. Globular proteins are spherical in shape, soluble in water, and perform metabolic functions, e.g., enzymes and hormones.
(ii) Nucleotide vs Nucleoside:
Nucleotides consist of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and one or more phosphate groups. Nucleosides consist of only a nitrogenous base and a pentose sugar, without phosphate groups.
Write the reaction of glucose with the following :
(a) H₂N – OH
(b) (CH₃CO)₂O
(c) conc.HNO₃
(b) Reaction with (CH3CO)2O (Acetic anhydride): Glucose reacts with acetic anhydride to form glucose pentaacetate by acetylation of all the hydroxyl (–OH) groups. In this reaction, all five –OH groups of glucose are replaced by acetate groups (–OCOCH3). This derivative does not react with hydroxylamine indicating the absence of free aldehyde group in the acetylated product.
(c) Reaction with conc. HNO3 (Concentrated nitric acid): Glucose is oxidized by concentrated nitric acid to form saccharic acid, where both aldehyde and primary alcohol groups are oxidized to carboxylic acid groups. This confirms the presence of aldehyde and –CH2OH groups in glucose.
Section E
(a) Give chemical tests to distinguish between the following pairs of compounds :
(i) Acetophenone and Benzophenone
(ii) Propanal and Propanone
(iii) Pentan–2–one and Pentan–3–one
(b) (i) Which of the following acids is stronger and why ?
CH₂FCOOH, CH₃COOH
(ii) Arrange the following compounds in the increasing order of their boiling points :
CH₃OCH₃, CH₃CH₂CH₃, CH₃CH₂OH, CH₃CHO
(i) Acetophenone shows no reaction with Fehling's solution or Tollens' reagent, whereas Benzophenone does not react because both are ketones; however, both can be distinguished by their physical properties or by specific reactions like Benedict's test, but generally, no simple test distinguishes them easily.
(ii) Propanal (an aldehyde) gives a positive Tollens' test (silver mirror) and Fehling's test (red ppt), whereas Propanone (a ketone) gives negative results.
(iii) Pentan-2-one and Pentan-3-one do not give simple chemical tests for differentiation as both are ketones with similar properties; their distinction requires spectroscopic methods or more advanced techniques.
(b) (i) Stronger acid is CH₂FCOOH because the electronegative fluorine atom stabilizes the carboxylate ion by electron withdrawing inductive effect, increasing acidity compared to CH₃COOH.
(ii) Increasing order of boiling points is CH₃OCH₃ (dimethyl ether) < CH₃CH₂CH₃ (propane) < CH₃CHO (acetaldehyde) < CH₃CH₂OH (ethanol). This is because alcohols have strong hydrogen bonding leading to highest boiling point, aldehydes have dipole-dipole interactions, ethers have weaker dipole interactions, and alkanes have weak van der Waals forces.
(a) The conductivity of 0.1 mol L⁻¹ solution of NaCl is 1.06 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹. Calculate its molar conductivity and degree of dissociation.
λ°_Na⁺ = 50.1 S cm² mol⁻¹
λ°_Cl⁻ = 76.5 S cm² mol⁻¹
(b) (i) Following cell reaction occurs in a galvanic cell :
2Ag⁺(aq) + Zn(s) → 2Ag(s) + Zn²⁺ (aq) E°_(cell) = +1.56 V
Predict the direction of flow of current.
(ii) Differentiate between a primary battery and a secondary battery.
Conductivity, κ = 1.06 * 10-2 S cm-1, Concentration, c = 0.1 mol L-1, λ°_Na⁺ = 50.1 S cm2 mol-1, λ°_Cl⁻ = 76.5 S cm2 mol-1
Step 1: Calculate molar conductivity (Λm).
Formula: Λm = κ / c = (1.06 * 10-2) / 0.1 = 1.06 * 10-1 S cm2 mol-1
Step 2: Calculate molar conductivity at infinite dilution (Λ°m).
Λ°m = λ°_Na⁺ + λ°_Cl⁻ = 50.1 + 76.5 = 126.6 S cm2 mol-1
Step 3: Calculate degree of dissociation (α).
α = Λm / Λ°m = 1.06 * 10-1 / 126.6 = 0.000838 ≈ 8.38 * 10-4
Therefore, molar conductivity Λm = 0.106 S cm2 mol-1 and degree of dissociation α ≈ 8.38 * 10-4.
(b)(i) The given reaction is 2Ag⁺(aq) + Zn(s) → 2Ag(s) + Zn²⁺(aq) with E°_cell = +1.56 V.
Since E°_cell is positive, the reaction is spontaneous under standard conditions.
Electrons flow from the anode to cathode; Zn is oxidized (anode) and Ag⁺ is reduced (cathode).
Therefore, current flows from Ag electrode to Zn electrode externally.
(b)(ii) Difference between primary and secondary batteries:
- Primary battery: Non-rechargeable, chemical reactions are not reversible, once discharged it cannot be reused.
- Secondary battery: Rechargeable, chemical reactions are reversible, can be reused many times by recharging.
Examples: Primary - dry cell; Secondary - lead acid battery.
(a) Resistance of a conductivity cell filled with 0.1 M KCl solution is 100 Ω. If the resistance of the same cell when filled with 0.01 mol L⁻¹ KCl solution is 300 Ω, calculate the conductivity and molar conductivity of 0.01 mol L⁻¹ KCl solution. The conductivity of 0.1 M KCl solution is 1.29 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹.
(b) (i) Write any two advantages of H₂ – O₂ fuel cell.
(ii) Why does the cell potential of mercury cell remain constant throughout the life ?
Cell constant, G* = κ1 * R1 = 1.29 * 10-2 S cm-1 * 100 Ω = 1.29 cm-1.
Conductivity of 0.01 mol L-1 KCl, κ2 = G* / R2 = 1.29 / 300 = 4.3 * 10-3 S cm-1.
Molar conductivity, λm = κ2 / concentration = 4.3 * 10-3 / 0.01 = 0.43 S cm2 mol-1 or 43 S cm2 mol-1 (since usually molar conductivity is expressed in S cm2 mol-1).
(b)(i) Advantages of H2 - O2 fuel cell:
1. They produce water as the only product, so they are environmentally friendly.
2. They have high efficiency compared to conventional fuel cells.
(b)(ii) The cell potential of mercury cell remains constant throughout its life because the reaction involves pure substances in their standard states and the concentration of reactants and products does not change significantly. The electrodes remain stable, so the cell potential remains constant until the reactants are used up.
An organic compound ‘A’, with molecular formula C₂H₆O reacts with active metals such as sodium to give compound ‘B’ and hydrogen gas. 'A' on treatment with iodine and sodium hydroxide gives ‘C’ and in presence of H₂SO₄ at 413 K gives ‘D’ (C₄H₁₀O). ‘D’ on reaction with excess of HI gives ‘E’. Identify ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ and ‘E’ and write all the reactions involved.
(a) Compound 'A' with formula C2H6O could be either ethanol (an alcohol) or dimethyl ether. Since 'A' reacts with sodium metal to give hydrogen gas, it must be an alcohol. Thus, A is ethanol (CH3CH2OH).
Reaction with sodium:
CH3CH2OH + 2Na → CH3CH2ONa ('B') + H2 (gas)
So, B is sodium ethoxide (CH3CH2ONa).
(b) On treatment with iodine and sodium hydroxide, 'A' gives a yellow precipitate 'C'. This is the iodoform test, indicating methyl ketone or ethanol.
Reaction:
CH3CH2OH + 4I2 + 6NaOH → CHI3 (iodoform, yellow precipitate) + HCOONa + 5NaI + 5H2O
Thus, C is iodoform (CHI3).
(c) 'A' in presence of concentrated H2SO4 at 413 K undergoes dehydration to form an ether 'D' with molecular formula C4H10O.
Reaction:
2 CH3CH2OH -(H2SO4, 413 K)-> CH3CH2OCH2CH3 (diethyl ether, 'D') + H2O
So, D is diethyl ether.
(d) 'D' on reaction with excess HI undergoes cleavage to give 'E'.
Reaction:
CH3CH2OCH2CH3 + 2HI → 2 CH3CH2I ('E') + H2O
So, E is ethyl iodide (CH3CH2I).
Summary of compounds and reactions:
A: Ethanol (CH3CH2OH)
B: Sodium ethoxide (CH3CH2ONa)
C: Iodoform (CHI3)
D: Diethyl ether (CH3CH2OCH2CH3)
E: Ethyl iodide (CH3CH2I)
Each step is a classic reaction: sodium metal with alcohol, haloform reaction with iodine and NaOH, acid catalysed dehydration of alcohol to ether, and cleavage of ether by HI to alkyl iodide.
This shows understanding of alcohol properties and reactions.
Write the reagents which are used in the given conversions :
(i) Phenol to 2, 4, 6 – tribromophenol
(ii) Propene to propan–1–ol
(iii) Butan–2–one to butan–2–ol
(b) Explain the mechanism of acid catalyzed hydration of alkene to form corresponding alcohol.
(i) Phenol to 2, 4, 6–tribromophenol: Bromine water (Br2 in H2O)
(ii) Propene to propan–1–ol: BH3/THF followed by H2O2/OH- (hydroboration-oxidation)
(iii) Butan–2–one to butan–2–ol: NaBH4 in methanol (reduction of ketone)
(b) Mechanism of acid catalyzed hydration of alkene:
1. Protonation of alkene: The alkene reacts with an acid (like H2SO4) and the double bond attacks H+. This forms the most stable carbocation intermediate as per Markovnikov’s rule.
2. Nucleophilic attack by water: Water molecule attacks the carbocation intermediate, forming an oxonium ion (a protonated alcohol).
3. Deprotonation: Another water molecule removes a proton (H+) from the oxonium ion to yield the alcohol.
This process adds water (H and OH) across the double bond, converting an alkene to an alcohol. The reaction is acid catalyzed because the acid provides the H+ needed to initiate the reaction and then is regenerated at the end.
(a) How will you convert the following :
(i) Propanone to Propene
(ii) Benzoic acid to Benzaldehyde
(iii) Benzene to m-Nitroacetophenone
Propanone (CH3COCH3) can be converted to Propene (CH3CH=CH2) by first converting propanone to its hydrazone derivative using hydrazine (NH2NH2) and then treating it with a strong base like potassium hydroxide (KOH) under heat. This is known as the Wolff-Kishner reduction which removes the carbonyl oxygen and forms the alkene, propene.
(a)(ii) Conversion of Benzoic acid to Benzaldehyde:
Benzoic acid (C6H5COOH) can be reduced to benzaldehyde (C6H5CHO) using a mild reducing agent such as stannous chloride (SnCl2) in hydrochloric acid or by partial reduction with lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH4) under controlled conditions. Alternatively, the acid chloride of benzoic acid can be formed using thionyl chloride (SOCl2), then partial reduction of the acid chloride to benzaldehyde using lithium tri-tert-butoxyaluminium hydride.
(a)(iii) Conversion of Benzene to m-Nitroacetophenone:
Step 1: Acetophenone is formed by Friedel-Crafts acylation of benzene with acetyl chloride (CH3COCl) in the presence of anhydrous aluminum chloride (AlCl3).
Step 2: Nitration of acetophenone is done by treating it with a mixture of concentrated nitric acid (HNO3) and concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The acetyl group is a meta-directing group, so nitration occurs at the meta position giving m-nitroacetophenone.
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