JEE Main · Chemistry · Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids
Nucleophilic Addition: JEE Main previous year questions
32 questions in the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, in 7 of 8 years. Pattern: Asked most years. 7 came in 2024–26. Here is how it is asked and which ideas come back.
- Questions
- 32
- in 28 of 108 shifts
- Years asked
- 7/8
- last asked 2026
- Weighted estimate
- 0.2
- model; history: 0.2 a shift on average, typically 0.1–0.3
Key findings
- 01
Asked in 7 of 8 years with analysed shifts and in 28 of 108 shifts: 32 questions, #105 of 196 topics.
- 02
69% of its questions since 2020 tested an idea no earlier year had asked; 6 repeated an idea from the year before.
- 03
The most repeated idea is Grignard Reagent Addition, asked 7 times in 7 shifts (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), most often as “predict product of reaction”.
- 04
JEE Main has asked 20 of the 49 ideas in this topic; 25 have never been asked, directly or inside another question.
- 05
Mostly asked as diagram based (50%); 13% need a numerical answer, 9% are easy and 25% hard.
- 06
The skill tested most is multi-step (56%), then conceptual (25%).
Questions a shift, year by year
Out of the 25 Chemistry questions in a shift. Years differ in how many shifts Lumi analysed, so each year is scaled to one shift.
Raw count: 2017: 0 in 1 shift · 2020: 3 in 12 shifts · 2021: 11 in 24 shifts · 2022: 8 in 24 shifts · 2023: 3 in 12 shifts · 2024: 4 in 18 shifts · 2025: 1 in 8 shifts · 2026: 2 in 9 shifts.
- Up to 2023
- 0.2
- a shift, of 25
- Since 2024
- 0.2
- 0.0
- Usual gap
- 1.0 yrs
- between years asking it
- Shifts with it
- 28/108
- 26% of analysed shifts
How it is asked
Difficulty, format and skill
Across all 32 questions on Nucleophilic Addition since 2017.
Difficulty
QUESTIONS- Easy3 · 9%
- Medium21 · 66%
- Hard8 · 25%
Format
SHARE- Diagram based · 16 Q50%
- Single correct · 10 Q31%
- Numerical value · 4 Q13%
- Two statements · 1 Q3%
- Other · 1 Q3%
Skill tested
SHARE- Multi-step · 18 Q56%
- Conceptual · 8 Q25%
- Application · 6 Q19%
Repeats
New idea, or one asked before?
Each column is a year. Blue questions tested an idea no earlier year had asked; navy ones went back to an idea from an earlier year. 2017 is the first year, so everything in it counts as new. Heights are question counts, and Lumi analysed 1 to 24 shifts a year, so compare the split inside a column rather than heights across years.
- Idea asked for the first time
- Idea asked in an earlier year
Coverage of the topic
JEE Main has asked 20 of the 49 ideas in this topic. 25 have never been asked yet.
- Asked directly20 · 41%
- Touched inside another question4 · 8%
- Never asked25 · 51%
Ideas come from Lumi’s JEE syllabus map. A never-asked idea is not a safe skip: across all of JEE Main, 22% of questions since 2024 tested an idea no earlier year had asked.
Drill down
Chapter, idea, question
Every idea JEE Main tested in this topic, with its eight years. Open one to read the questions.
18 ideas inside
Squares are the 8 years with analysed shifts, 2017 to 2026. A number is the questions that year when there is more than one; the shade is scaled to one shift, so a year with more analysed shifts (1 to 24 a year) does not look darker. Share is of the level above.
Ideas
Every idea inside this topic
20 different ideas were tested; 6 came more than once.
predict product of reaction
Diagram based · 7 shiftsorder/ranking of reactivity toward nucleophilic addition
Single correct · 3 shiftsdeduce structure from tests and optical activity
Diagram based · 2 shiftspredict product of reaction sequence
Diagram based · 2 shiftspredict product of reaction
Diagram based · 2 shiftspredict product of reaction sequence
Diagram based · 2 shiftscount correct statements on hydrolysis products
Single correct · 1 shiftstatement i/ii on carbonyl reactions
Two statements · 1 shiftcount functional groups in product
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericalnitrogen atoms in semicarbazone
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericalpredict product of hydration
Diagram based · 1 shiftcount electrophilic centres in molecule
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericalidentify ketone that will not form enamine
Diagram based · 1 shiftmost stable enamine
Diagram based · 1 shiftproduct of bromination, oxime formation and dehydration sequence
Diagram based · 1 shiftcyanohydrin then acid hydrolysis product
Single correct · 1 shiftnumber of stereoisomers formed in addition reaction
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericalproducts of a two-step reaction scheme
Diagram based · 1 shiftidentify compounds in reaction sequence
Single correct · 1 shiftpredict product of reaction
Diagram based · 1 shift
| Idea | Years asked | Times | Shifts | Format | Numerical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grignard Reagent Additionpredict product of reaction | 7 | 7 | Diagram basedMulti-step | – | |
| Aldehyde vs Ketone Reactivityorder/ranking of reactivity toward nucleophilic addition | 3 | 3 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| 2,4-DNP (Brady's Reagent) Testdeduce structure from tests and optical activity | 2 | 2 | Diagram basedConceptual | – | |
| Cyanohydrin Formationpredict product of reaction sequence | 2 | 2 | Diagram basedMulti-step | – | |
| Grignard Addition to Alpha,Beta-Unsaturated Carbonylspredict product of reaction | 2 | 2 | Diagram basedMulti-step | – | |
| Reduction of Cyanohydrinspredict product of reaction sequence | 2 | 2 | Diagram basedApplication | – | |
| Acetal Hydrolysis Conditionscount correct statements on hydrolysis products | 1 | 1 | Single correctMulti-step | – | |
| Semicarbazide Regioselectivitystatement i/ii on carbonyl reactions | 1 | 1 | Two statementsConceptual | – | |
| Grignard Enolization Competitioncount functional groups in product | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueMulti-step | 1 | |
| Regioselectivity in Semicarbazidenitrogen atoms in semicarbazone | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueApplication | 1 | |
| Stability of Chloral Hydratepredict product of hydration | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedConceptual | – | |
| 1,2- vs 1,4-Addition to Conjugated Carbonylscount electrophilic centres in molecule | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueApplication | 1 | |
| Enamine Formationidentify ketone that will not form enamine | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedConceptual | – | |
| Enamine Formationmost stable enamine | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedConceptual | – | |
| Geometrical Isomerism in Oximesproduct of bromination, oxime formation and dehydration sequence | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedMulti-step | – | |
| Hydrolysis of Cyanohydrinscyanohydrin then acid hydrolysis product | 1 | 1 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Stereochemistry of Nucleophilic Additionnumber of stereoisomers formed in addition reaction | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueMulti-step | 1 | |
| Acetal and Ketal Formationproducts of a two-step reaction scheme | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedMulti-step | – | |
| Ammonia Derivative Additionidentify compounds in reaction sequence | 1 | 1 | Single correctMulti-step | – | |
| Cyclic Acetal Protectionpredict product of reaction | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedApplication | – |
Times and shifts count every analysed shift. Across JEE Main, 78% of questions since 2024 went back to an idea an earlier year had asked; the rest were new. All repeated ideas
Every question
Nucleophilic Addition questions, year by year
The opening words of each question as it appeared in the official paper, with the idea it tested. Open one for its options and the official answer.
JEE Main 20262 questions in 2 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 2Q67A molecule (X) with following structure under mild acidic condition is hydrolysed to produce (Y) and (Z). Identify the correct statements…
Idea: Acetal Hydrolysis Conditions
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q66Given below are two statements : Statement I : The condensation reaction between and …
Idea: Semicarbazide Regioselectivity
New ideaMediumTwo statements
JEE Main 20251 question in 1 shift
- 7 Apr, Shift 2Q68"P" is an optically active compound with molecular formula . When 'P' is treated with 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, it…
Idea: 2,4-DNP (Brady's Reagent) Test
MediumDiagram based · figure
JEE Main 20244 questions in 4 shifts
- 6 Apr, Shift 1Q79Which among the following aldehydes is most reactive towards nucleophilic addition reactions?
Idea: Aldehyde vs Ketone Reactivity
EasySingle correct · figure - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q78Consider the given reaction, identify the major product P. …
Idea: Cyanohydrin Formation
MediumSingle correct - 30 Jan, Shift 1Q90The compound formed by the reaction of ethanal with semicarbazide contains ________ number of nitrogen atoms.
Idea: Regioselectivity in Semicarbazide
New ideaEasyNumerical value - 31 Jan, Shift 1Q89The product of the following reaction is P. 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde, (i) PhMgBr (1 equiv.), (ii) aq. , gives P The number…
Idea: Grignard Enolization Competition
New ideaMediumNumerical value · figure
JEE Main 20233 questions in 3 shifts
- 6 Apr, Shift 2Q77Find out the major product from the following reaction.
Idea: Grignard Addition to Alpha,Beta-Unsaturated Carbonyls
HardDiagram based · figure - 12 Apr, Shift 1Q76In the following reaction [figure: CH3-C(=O)-CH2-CH(CH3)-Br, (i) Mg (ii) -> 'A' (Major Product)] A is
Idea: Grignard Reagent Addition
Asked the year beforeHardSingle correct · figure - 15 Apr, Shift 1Q72[figure: ninhydrin (benzene ring fused to a five-membered ring bearing three C=O groups) 'A' major product]…
Idea: Stability of Chloral Hydrate
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure
JEE Main 20228 questions in 6 shifts
- 29 Jul, Shift 1Q75[figure: 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (OH at top, CHO at bottom of benzene ring) A …
Idea: Geometrical Isomerism in Oximes
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure - 29 Jul, Shift 2Q89The number of stereoisomers formed in a reaction of Ph(C=O)C(OH)(CN)Ph with HCN is _________ . [where Ph is -]
Idea: Stereochemistry of Nucleophilic Addition
New ideaHardNumerical value - 24 Jun, Shift 1Q89Number of electrophilic centres in the given compound is ______.
Idea: 1,2- vs 1,4-Addition to Conjugated Carbonyls
New ideaMediumNumerical value · figure - 25 Jun, Shift 2Q76In the given reaction [drawn…
Idea: Grignard Reagent Addition
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 25 Jun, Shift 2Q79Which of the following ketone will NOT give enamine on treatment with secondary amines? [where t-Bu is –C(CH)]
Idea: Enamine Formation
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure - 26 Jun, Shift 1Q75[figure: drawn structure with the label MgBr at its upper end and the label MgBr at its lower end, the two joined by a bracket-shaped…
Idea: Grignard Reagent Addition
Asked the year beforeHardOther · figure - 26 Jun, Shift 1Q77Among the following structures, which will show the most stable enamine formation ? (Where Me is )
Idea: Enamine Formation
New ideaHardDiagram based · figure - 26 Jun, Shift 2Q76The final product 'A' in the following reaction sequence [drawn structure labelled CH3 CH2 - C - CH3 with O drawn below the carbon]…
Idea: Hydrolysis of Cyanohydrins
New ideaMediumSingle correct · figure
JEE Main 202111 questions in 9 shifts
- 4 Aug, Shift 2Q44The major products A and B in the following reaction sequence are [reaction scheme: see figure_note] (Ph = - )
Idea: Grignard Reagent Addition
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 26 Aug, Shift 2Q46[reaction scheme] drawn structure (a skeletal chain with a branch, ending in a C=O group with H) --“X”, HCN, --> drawn…
Idea: Reduction of Cyanohydrins
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure - 27 Aug, Shift 2Q44Which one of the following is the major product of the given reaction ? [reaction drawn: a fused bicyclic compound - a benzene ring (drawn…
Idea: Grignard Reagent Addition
Asked the year beforeHardDiagram based · figure - 31 Aug, Shift 1Q47The structure of product C, formed by the following sequence of reactions is :…
Idea: Cyanohydrin Formation
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure - 31 Aug, Shift 1Q48The major products A and B in the following set of reactions are :
Idea: Reduction of Cyanohydrins
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure - 26 Feb, Shift 1Q44B reacts with Hydroxyl amine but does…
Idea: Ammonia Derivative Addition
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 26 Feb, Shift 2Q492,4-DNP test can be used to identify :
Idea: 2,4-DNP (Brady's Reagent) Test
New ideaEasySingle correct - 25 Jul, Shift 1Q43[figure: but-3-en-2-one, CH2=CH-C(=O)-CH3, treated with (i) , dry ether (ii) , HCl giving P (Major…
Idea: Grignard Addition to Alpha,Beta-Unsaturated Carbonyls
New ideaHardSingle correct · figure - 25 Jul, Shift 2Q45[reaction scheme] drawn structure: label Br joined to a bend, then label CHO; with reagent EtOH excess / dry HCl gas gives "A" (major…
Idea: Acetal and Ketal Formation
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure - 25 Jul, Shift 2Q50A reaction of benzonitrile with one equivalent followed by hydrolysis produces a yellow liquid "P". The compound "P"…
Idea: Grignard Reagent Addition
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 17 Mar, Shift 1Q47[reaction drawn: see figure_note] The product “A” in the above reaction is :
Idea: Cyclic Acetal Protection
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure
JEE Main 20203 questions in 3 shifts
- 9 Jan, Shift 1Q45Identify (A) in the following reaction sequence : (A) Gives Positive iodoform test…
Idea: Grignard Reagent Addition
New ideaHardDiagram based · figure - 2 Sep, Shift 1Q42The increasing order of the following compounds towards HCN addition is : (i) 3-methoxybenzaldehyde ( meta to CHO) (ii)…
Idea: Aldehyde vs Ketone Reactivity
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure - 3 Sep, Shift 2Q39The increasing order of the reactivity of the following compounds in nucleophilic addition reaction is : Propanal, Benzaldehyde,…
Idea: Aldehyde vs Ketone Reactivity
New ideaMediumSingle correct
Questions from the official JEE Main Paper 1 shifts published by NTA (CBSE for 2017). Questions NTA dropped are left out. Topic and idea tags, counts and notes are Lumi’s.