Book Name : Coordination Chemistry On Fingertips
Author : Sudhir Nama
Target : CSIR-NET, IIT-JAM, GATE, MSC, BHU, BITSAT & Various Competitive Exams
In the competitive landscape of Indian science examinations, Inorganic Chemistry—and
specifically Coordination Chemistry—acts as a high-yield territory. For students targeting CSIR-NET, GATE, IIT-JAM, BITSAT, and IIT-JEE, the ability to quickly decipher complex metal-ligand interactions is the key to a high rank. "Coordination Chemistry On Fingertips" by Sudhir Nama has gained a reputation as a "surgical" textbook—one that cuts through the dense academic prose of international reference books to provide students with the exact tools needed to solve exam problems.
The book is authored by Sudhir Nama, an educator known for his ability to simplify abstract chemical concepts. The core philosophy behind this book is accessibility. Coordination chemistry involves a significant amount of visualization and mathematical application (CFSE calculations, magnetic moments, term symbols). Nama’s approach is to provide a "note-style" format that mirrors how a top-tier student would organize their own revision materials. It is designed to be a one-stop shop for everything related to d-block complexes, moving from the most basic definitions to the high-level quantum mechanical descriptions required for PhD entrance exams.
Salient Features
What makes this book a favorite among aspirants? Several key features set it apart:
• Trick-Based Learning: The book is famous for its mnemonics. For instance, the Spectrochemical Series—a notoriously difficult list to memorize—is broken down into easy-to-remember phrases.
• Mechanism of Visualization: It uses clear, high-contrast diagrams to illustrate the spatial orientation of d-orbitals. This is crucial for understanding why eg orbitals point toward ligands in an octahedral field while t2g orbitals do not.
• Formula-Driven CFSE: The book provides simplified tables for calculating Crystal Field Stabilization Energy (CFSE) for high-spin and low-spin complexes, saving precious seconds during an exam.
• Extensive Problem Sets: It contains over 500+ solved examples and practice questions, including integrated problems that combine Coordination Chemistry with Organometallics or Bio-inorganic Chemistry.
• Focus on Selection Rules: For advanced exams like GATE, the book offers a very clear explanation of Laporte and Spin selection rules, which govern the color and intensity of complexes.
Availability
Key Points and Chapter Highlights
The book is structured logically, ensuring that each chapter builds upon the previous one.
A. Basics and Nomenclature
Before diving into complex bonding, the book solidifies the basics.
• Detailed rules for IUPAC Nomenclature of coordination compounds.
• Classification of ligands: Monodentate, Polydentate, and Ambidentate (with emphasis on how they lead to Linkage Isomerism).
• Determination of Effective Atomic Number (EAN) and the 18-electron rule.
B. Isomerism: The Visual Challenge
Isomerism is often where students lose marks due to poor spatial visualization. Nama provides:
• A systematic approach to Geometrical Isomerism (cis/trans and fac/mer).
• Optical Isomerism "Cheat-sheets": Tables that tell you exactly which types of complexes (e.g., M(AA)3 ) are optically active without needing to draw them every time.
C. Bonding Theories (VBT and CFT)
This is the core of the book.
• Valence Bond Theory (VBT): Explaining hybridization (sp3, dsp2, d2sp3) and the magnetic nature of complexes.
• Crystal Field Theory (CFT): A deep dive into the splitting of d-orbitals. It covers:
- Octahedral, Tetrahedral, and Square Planar splitting.
- Factors affecting the magnitude of Δ₀ (Nature of metal, oxidation state, and ligand strength).
- Jahn-Teller Distortion: Explaining why certain complexes deviate from perfect symmetry.
D. Electronic Spectra and Magnetism
Highly relevant for CSIR-NET and GATE.
• Introduction to Term Symbols and their derivation (²S⁺¹LJ).
• Orgel Diagrams: Visualizing electronic transitions for d 1 to d 9 systems.
• Magnetic properties: Calculating μₑff (effective magnetic moment) using the spin- only formula:
Îœ = √[n(n+2)] BM
• Temperature-independent paramagnetism and quenching of orbital angular momentum.
E. Reaction Mechanisms
How complexes exchange ligands.
• Trans-Effect: A crucial topic for synthesis questions in square planar complexes.
• Labile vs. Inert complexes based on CFSE values.
• Inner-sphere and Outer-sphere electron transfer mechanisms.
Exam-Specific Utility
The book is highly adaptable depending on which exam you are targeting:
For IIT-JAM and M.Sc. Entrances
At this level, the focus is on nomenclature, isomerism, and basic CFT. The book provides enough depth to score 100% in the coordination section of JAM without needing to refer to heavier books like Shriver & Atkins.
For CSIR-NET and GATE
These exams require "Section C" depth. Nama’s coverage of Jahn-Teller Distortion, Orgel Diagrams, and Spinel Structures (Normal vs. Inverse spinels) is specifically tailored to the tricky, multi-statement questions found in these papers.
For IIT-JEE (Advanced)
While JEE is for undergraduate entry, the Advanced level often touches upon concepts like the Synergic Bonding in metal carbonyls and the color of transition metal ions both of which are explained with great clarity here.
Other Book - Name Reactions And Rearrangements For IIT-JAM, GATE, BITSAT, CSIR-NET, BITSAT, BHU, MSC Exams
About The Author :
https://www.sudhirnama.in/p/about-us-welcome-to-sudhir-nama-sudhir.html
For Hard Copy Of This Book Connect Here
https://www.sudhirnama.in/p/contact.html
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