GATE XL Chemistry Syllabus
Complete section-wise syllabus for GATE XL Chemistry section. This syllabus is prepared based on the latest official GATE notification and is regularly updated to reflect any changes announced by the exam authorities. Each section includes a detailed list of topics that candidates should study to prepare effectively for the exam.
9TopicsP Section Code25 Marks
Chemistry (P) is mandatory for all Life Sciences (XL) candidates regardless of the optional subject chosen. It is always tested in the exam.
- Planck's quantum theory, wave particle duality, uncertainty principle
- Comparison between Bohr's model and quantum mechanical model of hydrogen atom
- Electronic configuration of atoms and ions
- Hund's rule and Pauli's exclusion principle
- Periodic table and periodic properties: ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity and atomic size
- Ionic and covalent bonding, MO and VB approaches for diatomic molecules
- VSEPR theory and shape of molecules, hybridization, resonance, dipole moment
- Structure parameters: bond length, bond angle and bond energy
- Hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions
- Ionic solids, ionic radii and lattice energy (Born‐Haber cycle)
- HSAB principle
- Oxides, halides and hydrides of alkali, alkaline earth metals, B, Al, Si, N, P, and S
- General characteristics of 3d elements
- Coordination complexes: valence bond and crystal field theory
- Colour, geometry, magnetic properties and isomerism
- Osmotic pressure, elevation of boiling point and depression of freezing point
- Ionic equilibria in solution, solubility product, common ion effect
- Hydrolysis of salts, pH, buffer and their applications
- Equilibrium constants (Kc, Kp, and KX) for homogeneous reactions
- Conductance, Kohlrausch law
- Cell potentials, EMF, Nernst equation
- Thermodynamic aspects and their applications
- Rate constant, order of reaction, molecularity, activation energy
- Zero, first and second order kinetics
- Catalysis and elementary enzyme reactions
- Reversible and irreversible inhibition of enzymes
- Qualitative treatment of state and path functions, First law
- Reversible and irreversible processes, internal energy, enthalpy
- Kirchhoff equation, heat of reaction, Hess's law, heat of formation
- Second law, entropy and free energy
- Gibbs‐Helmholtz equation, free energy change and spontaneity
- Free energy changes from equilibrium constant
- Acids and bases, electronic and steric effects
- Stereochemistry, optical and geometrical isomerism, tautomerism, conformers and aromaticity
- SN1, SN2, E1, E2 and radical reactions; Hoffmann/Saytzeff rules
- Addition reactions, Markownikoff rule and Kharasch effect
- Elementary hydroboration reactions; Grignard's reagents and their uses
- Aromatic electrophilic substitutions, orientation effect of functional groups
- Identification of common functional groups by chemical tests
- Amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids and nucleotides
- Peptide sequencing by chemical and enzymatic proteolytic methods
- DNA sequencing by chemical and enzymatic methods
- Carbohydrates (up to hexoses only); Lipids (triglycerides only)
- Principles of biomolecule purification: Ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography
- Identification of biomolecules and Beer-Lambert's law