Question

Give reason for the following:

The structure of [Ni(CO)4] (tetrahedral) is different from the structure of [Ni (CN)4]-2 (square planar)

Answer 1

In [NI (CO)4] the oxidation state of ni is 0. so the electronic configuration of ni is 3d10. the hybridisation is sp3.hence it's structure is tetrahedral. in [NI (CN)]-2 the oxidation state of ni is +2. hence the electronic configuration of ni is 3d8. so hybridization is dsp2. hence it is square planar.