UPSC Civil Services (Mains)
Chemistry optional
- 2 papers
- 250 marks each
- 3 h per paper
- 5 of 8 questions, Q1 and Q5 compulsory
Paper II covers organic chemistry and spectroscopy.
All topics
Paper II, organic chemistry and spectroscopy
Preparation and properties of polymers: every question, 2021 to 2025
14 parts worth 100 marks have been set on this unit in UPSC CSE Chemistry Paper II from 2021 to 2025. Each one opens on its own page with the question, the answer in brief and the key points.
Syllabus
Organic polymers: polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, teflon, nylon, terylene, synthetic and natural rubber.
Notes: Polymers: polymerisation, Ziegler–Natta and molar mass (full notes) · short notes
2025
- Q4(a)(i) Molecular weight of poly(p-hydroxybenzoic acid)7 marks Question only
- Q4(a)(ii) Structure of the polymer3 marks Question only
- Q4(a)(iii) Precursor of natural rubber5 marks Question only
- Q4(b)(i) Nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 compared5 marks Question only
- Q4(b)(ii) Preparing syndiotactic polystyrene5 marks Question only
2024
- Q6(a)(i) Benzoyl peroxide-initiated polymerisation of ethylene10 marks Answered
- Q6(a)(ii) Atactic, syndiotactic and isotactic polystyrene5 marks Answered
2023
- Q5(c) Acetylene to neoprene; why rubber perishes in air10 marks Answered
- Q6(b)(ii) Tacticity: isotactic, syndiotactic and atactic polymers5 marks Question only
2022
- Q6(b)(i) Polypropylene by Ziegler–Natta catalysis10 marks Answered
- Q6(b)(ii) Perlon (nylon-6) from ε-caprolactam5 marks Answered
2021
- Q5(b)(i) Three para-substituted styrenes in anionic polymerisation5 marks Answered
- Q5(b)(ii) Structures and configurations of natural and synthetic rubber5 marks Answered
- Q7(a) A, B and C in two polymer-forming sequences20 marks Question only
Printed copy and Kindle
UPSC Civil Services (Main) Chemistry Paper II: Model Answers 2021 to 2025
- All eight questions of each paper, with the question printed above its answer
- Mechanisms drawn out and labelled on the scheme
- Topic-wise weightage and a topic-wise index