Practicing Success
The stability constants of the complexes formed by a metal ion (M2+) with NH3, CN–, H2O and ‘en’ are of the order of 1011, 1027, 1015 and 108 respectively. Then (en = ethylene diamine) |
en is the strongest ligand These values cannot predict the strength of the ligand CN– is the strongest ligand All ligands are equally strong |
CN– is the strongest ligand |
The correct answer is (3) CN– is the strongest ligand. To compare the strength of ligands based on their stability constants, we need to understand that ligands with higher stability constants form more stable complexes with the metal ion. Therefore, the larger the stability constant, the stronger the ligand. NH3: \(10^{11}\) CN-: \(10^{27}\) H2O: \(10^{15}\) en (ethylene diamine): \(10^8\) 2. H2O (water) with a stability constant of \(10^{15}\) is stronger than en but weaker than NH3 and CN-. 3. NH3 (ammonia) with a stability constant of \(10^{11}\) is stronger than en and water but weaker than CN-. 4. CN- (cyanide) with a stability constant of \(10^{27}\) is the strongest ligand among the four. |