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Chemistry Question 60 – JEE-MAIN 2026

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Which of the following is NOT a physical or chemical characteristics of interstitial compounds?

Recall the definition and formation of interstitial compounds, which involve small non-metal atoms occupying voids in transition metal lattices.

Step 1: Understand Interstitial Compounds✦ Active

Interstitial compounds are formed when small non-metal atoms (like H, B, C, N) occupy the interstitial sites (voids) within the crystal lattice of transition metals. This occupation leads to significant changes in the properties of the parent metal.

Step 2: Recall Properties of Interstitial Compounds○ Expand

Key characteristics of interstitial compounds include: very high melting points (often higher than pure metals), extreme hardness, retention of metallic conductivity, chemical inertness, and often non-stoichiometric compositions. They are generally covalent in nature, not ionic.

Step 3: Evaluate Given Options○ Expand

Option 1 (high melting points), Option 3 (metallic conductivity), and Option 4 (chemical inertness and non-stoichiometric) are all correct characteristics of interstitial compounds. Option 2 states that they are 'very soft and ionic in nature'. This is incorrect; interstitial compounds are known for their extreme hardness and are primarily covalent, not ionic. Therefore, Option 2 is NOT a characteristic.

💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

Remember that the question asks for the characteristic that is NOT true.

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