Everything you need for this topic on one page: the ideas, the formulas, the traps, and free lectures that explain it well.
Last updated: 26 October 2026
Werner's theory, ligands, IUPAC naming, isomerism, VBT, crystal field theory, colour and magnetism of complexes.
Printable Coordination Compounds formula sheet: formulas, key ideas and traps on one page. Save it as a PDF for offline revision.
Appears in almost every JEE Main shift. One of the most frequent Chemistry chapters. Practise isomer counting and CFSE.
Prerequisites: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure, d- and f-Block Elements.
Chapter names follow the current rationalised NCERT textbooks. Read these sections before solving PYQs.
| Class | Book | Chapter | Sections JEE asks from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 12 | Chemistry Part I | Coordination Compounds | Werner's Theory of Coordination Compounds; Definitions of Some Important Terms Pertaining to Coordination Compounds; Nomenclature of Coordination Compounds; Isomerism in Coordination Compounds; Bonding in Coordination Compounds |
Question. [Cr(NH₃)₆]³⁺ and [Cr(H₂O)₆]³⁺ are both octahedral complexes. Given that NH₃ is a stronger field ligand than H₂O, find: (a) the number of unpaired electrons in each complex, (b) which complex absorbs light of higher wavelength, and (c) the spin-only magnetic moment of [Cr(H₂O)₆]³⁺ in BM.
Answer: (a) Both complexes have 3 unpaired electrons, (b) [Cr(H₂O)₆]³⁺ absorbs higher wavelength, (c) μ = 3.87 BM
This example was solved twice independently and both solutions agree.
Full-chapter free lectures picked from YouTube search results by views, from established JEE channels (mostly in Hinglish). Use the subtopic list to jump straight to the part you need (timestamps come from each video's own chapter list). Watch one, then solve PYQs the same day.
Appears in almost every JEE Main shift. It is part of the official 'Coordination Compounds' unit in the JEE Main 2027 syllabus.
Spectrochemical series: I⁻ < Br⁻ < Cl⁻ < F⁻ < OH⁻ < H₂O < NH₃ < en < CN⁻ < CO; CFSE (octahedral) = (−0.4 t₂g + 0.6 e_g) Δₒ; μ = √(n(n+2)) BM.
Understand the key ideas from NCERT or one full lecture, learn the formula sheet, then solve 25–30 past JEE questions on the topic. One of the most frequent Chemistry chapters. Practise isomer counting and CFSE.
