The IIT JAM Chemistry (CY) syllabus is designed to assess your understanding of fundamental concepts in Chemistry, along with your ability to apply these concepts in analytical and problem-solving scenarios. The syllabus is divided into three major sections: Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry, each carrying significant weight in the exam.

Let’s break it down in detail:

🧪 1. Physical Chemistry

This section emphasizes the quantitative and conceptual aspects of chemistry. It tests a candidate’s problem-solving ability, numerical aptitude, and clarity of concepts.

Topics Include:

• Basic Mathematical Concepts: Logarithmic relations, differentiation, integration, permutations and combinations, probability, vectors, and matrices.

• States of Matter: Ideal gas laws, kinetic theory of gases, real gases, Van der Waals equation.

• Atomic Structure: Quantum mechanics, hydrogen atom, quantum numbers, atomic orbitals.

• Chemical Thermodynamics: First, second, and third laws; enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy; spontaneity and equilibrium.

• Chemical and Ionic Equilibrium: Acid-base equilibria (including pH, buffer solutions), solubility product, common ion effect.

• Electrochemistry: Conductance, cell potential, Nernst equation, electrolysis, and Faraday’s laws.

• Chemical Kinetics: Rate laws, order of reactions, Arrhenius equation, mechanism of reactions.

• Surface Chemistry: Adsorption, isotherms, catalysis, colloids and emulsions.

• Solid State: Types of solids, unit cell, packing efficiency, density, X-ray diffraction, defects in crystals.

• Solutions and Colligative Properties: Raoult’s law, elevation of boiling point, depression of freezing point, osmotic pressure.

🧬 2. Organic Chemistry

This section tests your ability to understand reaction mechanisms, functional group transformations, stereochemistry, and spectral interpretation.

Topics Include:

• Basic Concepts in Organic Chemistry and Stereochemistry: Inductive and resonance effects, hyperconjugation, acidity and basicity, chirality, R/S configuration, E/Z isomerism, conformational analysis.

• Reaction Mechanisms and Named Reactions: SN1, SN2, E1, E2, electrophilic and nucleophilic substitution, free radical reactions, aromatic substitution.

• Reagents and Their Functions: PCC, PDC, NaBH₄, LiAlH₄, Grignard reagents, organolithiums.

• Functional Group Transformations:

  • Alcohols, Phenols, Ethers

  • Aldehydes and Ketones

  • Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives

  • Amines, Diazonium Salts

  • Nitro Compounds, Nitriles, Isocyanides

• Pericyclic Reactions and Photochemistry (Basic Level)

• Biomolecules and Natural Products: Carbohydrates, amino acids, peptides, nucleic acids, alkaloids, terpenes.

• Spectroscopy: UV, IR, NMR (1H and 13C), mass spectrometry for structure elucidation.

⚗️ 3. Inorganic Chemistry

This section tests the core principles of the periodic table, bonding theories, and transition metal chemistry.

Topics Include:

• Periodic Table and Periodic Properties: Atomic size, ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity.

• Chemical Bonding: Ionic and covalent bonding, VSEPR theory, hybridization, MO theory, crystal field theory, bonding in coordination complexes.

• Main Group Elements (s- and p-Block): Hydrides, halides, oxides, and other important compounds.

• Transition Elements (d-Block): Electronic configuration, oxidation states, magnetic properties, color, coordination chemistry, isomerism.

• Coordination Compounds: Nomenclature, Werner’s theory, ligands, chelation, crystal field splitting, ligand field theory, applications.

• Lanthanides and Actinides: Oxidation states, magnetic behavior, separation methods.

• Organometallic Chemistry: Metal carbonyls, metallocenes, bonding and reactivity.

• Bioinorganic Chemistry: Metal ions in biology (Fe, Cu, Zn, etc.), hemoglobin, chlorophyll, metalloproteins.

• Environmental Chemistry (Basic): Water and air pollution, green chemistry.

• Qualitative Analysis: Group separation of cations and anions, common tests, concept of solubility product.