Chief modes of occurrence of metals based on standard electrode potentials, Ellingham diagrams for reduction of metal oxides using carbon and carbon monoxide as reducing agent, electrolytic reduction, hydrometallurgy, methods of purification of metals: electrolytic Kroll process, parting process, van Arkel-de boer process and Mond’s process, zone refining.

Acids and Bases: Brönsted-Lowry concept of acid-base reactions, solvated proton, relative strength of acids, types of acid-base reactions, levelling solvents, Lewis acid-base concept, classification of Lewis acids, Hard and Soft Acids and Bases (HSAB), application of HSAB principle.

Non-Aqueous Solvents: Classification of solvents, liquid ammonia and its comparison with water as universal solvent.

Inert pair effect, relative stability of different oxidation states, diagonal relationship and anomalous behaviour of first member of each group,allotropy and catenation, complex formation tendency of s and p block elements.

Hydrides and their classification ionic, covalent and interstitial, basic beryllium acetate and nitrate, study of the following compounds with emphasis on structure, bonding, preparation, properties and uses: boric acid and borates, boron nitrides, borohydrides (diborane) carboranes and graphitic compounds, silanes, oxides and oxoacids of nitrogen, phosphorus and chlorine, peroxo acids of sulphur, interhalogen compounds, polyhalide ions, pseudohalogens and basic properties of halogens.

Occurrence and uses, rationalization of inertness of noble gases, clathrates, preparation and properties of XeF₂, XeF₄ and XeF₆,nature of bonding in noble gas compounds (VB treatment and MO treatment for XeF₂), molecular shapes of noble gas compounds (VSEPR theory).

Types of inorganic polymers, comparison with organic polymers, synthesis, structural aspects and applications of silicones and siloxanes, borazines, silicates and phosphazenes, and polysulphates.