Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Chemistry

Chapter

Inorganic: Coordination Compounds

Question:

Answer the question on basis of passage given below:

Transition metals form a large number of complexes or coordination compounds in which the metal atoms are bound to a number of anions or neutral molecules. The valence bond theory explain the formation, magnetic behaviour and geometrical shapes while the crystal field theory explains the effect of different crystal fields on the degeneracy of d-orbitals energies of the central metal atom/ion. This provides for the quantitative estimation of orbital separation energies, magnetic moments and spectral and stability parameters.

The compound \([Pt(NH_3)_2Cl_2]\) exhibits:

Options:

Geometrical isomerism

Linkage isomerism

Ionisation isomerism

Coordination isomerism

Correct Answer:

Geometrical isomerism

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 1. Geometrical isomerism.

In the compound \([Pt(NH_3)_2Cl_2]\), the platinum (Pt) ion is surrounded by two ammonia \((NH_3)\) ligands and two chloride \((Cl^-)\) ligands. Since both ammonia and chloride are monodentate ligands, they can only form one bond with the metal ion.

Geometrical isomerism arises when different spatial arrangements of ligands around the central metal atom lead to isomers. In this case, the two chloride ligands and the two ammonia ligands can occupy different spatial arrangements around the platinum ion.

Consider the following possibilities for arrangement:

1. If the two chloride ligands are adjacent to each other (cis-configuration), and the two ammonia ligands are also adjacent to each other, this is one possible geometrical isomer.

2. If the two chloride ligands are on opposite sides of the platinum ion (trans-configuration), and the two ammonia ligands are also on opposite sides, this is another possible geometrical isomer.

These two arrangements represent different spatial orientations of the ligands around the central platinum atom. Therefore, the compound \([Pt(NH_3)_2Cl_2]\) exhibits geometrical isomerism.