Question

Draw all the isomers (geometrical and optical) of: (i) [CoCl2(en)2]+ (ii) [Co(NH3)Cl(en)2]2+ (iii) [Co(NH3)2Cl2(en)]+

Answer 1

(i) [CoCl2(en)2]+  

Three isomers are possible

 

(ii) [Co(NH3)Cl(en)2]2+  

Trans- isomers are optically inactive and cis- isomers are optically active.

 

(iii) [Co(NH3)2Cl2(en)]+

 

All the isomers (geometrical and optical) are in the attachment below.

Isomers :  

Two or more compounds which have the same chemical formula but a different arrangement of atoms.  

Due to different arrangements of atoms, they are different in one or more physical or chemical properties.

In coordination compounds Isomerism are of two main  types  :  

(a) Stereoisomerism :  

(1)Geometrical isomerism (2) Optical isomerism  

Same chemical formula and chemical bonds but  different spatial arrangement.

(b) Structural isomerism :  

They have different chemical bonds.

(1) Linkage isomerism (2) Coordination isomerism (3) Ionisation isomerism (4) Solvate isomerism

Hope this answer will help you…..

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