The IUPAC name of \([Pt(NH_3)_2Cl_2]\) is:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Diammine dichlorido platinum (II)
The IUPAC name of a neutral complex is written in this order: the ligands in alphabetical order (prefixes such as di- and tri- are ignored when alphabetising), then the name of the metal, then its oxidation state in Roman numerals in brackets. Neutral \( \ce{NH3} \) is named ammine and the anion \( \ce{Cl^{-}} \) is named chlorido.
The oxidation state of platinum follows from the charge balance (the complex is neutral, \( \ce{NH3} \) is neutral, each chloride is −1):
\( \displaystyle x + 2(0) + 2(-1) = 0 \Rightarrow x = +2 \)
“ammine” (a) comes before “chlorido” (c), so the name is diamminedichloridoplatinum(II). Its cis isomer is the anticancer drug cisplatin.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (2) Diammine dichlorido platinum (IV) — Incorrect. Platinum would be +4 only if the ligands carried a total charge of −4, for example in \( \ce{[Pt(NH3)2Cl4]} \).
Option (3) Diammine dichlorido platinum (0) — Incorrect. A zero oxidation state needs only neutral ligands; the two chloride ions make platinum +2.
Option (4) Diimmine dichlorido platinum (IV) — Incorrect. \( \ce{NH3} \) as a ligand is named ammine, not “immine”, and platinum is +2, not +4.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Naming of Mononuclear Coordination Compounds – “… (ii) The ligands are named in an alphabetical order before the name of the central atom/ion. (This procedure is reversed from writing formula).
… (v) Oxidation state of the metal in cation, anion or neutral coordination entity is indicated by Roman numeral in parenthesis.”
Note: The same/similar question has been asked in different years by NTA as per the details given below:
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | 29-05 S2 13-05 S1 | – | – | 17-08 S1 |