Question

Write down optical isomerism of [Co(en)3
]
3+

Answer 1

It shows dextro (d) and laevo (l) forms.

Answer 2

Explanation :

The molecules possessing a plane of symmetry are always optically inactive while those have no plane of symmetry are optically active and hence show optical isomerism.

Due to the absence of a plane or center of symmetry, the octahedral complexes of this type are resolvable into dextro (d-) and levo (l-) forms.

$[Co(en)_3]^{3+}$ in this complex, 'en' is the ethylenediammine and it is a bidentate ligand that means it donates two electrons.

The dextro (d-) and levo (l-) forms of $[Co(en)_3]^{3+}$ are shown below.