Question #7520f

1 Answer
Nov 26, 2015

No isomers are possible with any of these examples.

Explanation:

  1. The silver ammine complex is linear, and cannot support isomerism. 2. 4. Likewise #[Co(NH_3)_5NO_2]^(2+)#, and #[Co(NH_3)_5Cl]^(2+)#, are octahedral (#[ML_5X]#) with no isomerism possible. 3. A square planar platinum(II) complex, i.e. #ML_2X_2#, would normally support #cis##/##trans# isomerism, however, here the ligand is ethylenediamine, a chelating ligand that must coordinate in a #cis# fashion, so only the #cis# isomer is possible.

Would #[Co(NH_3)_4Cl_2]^+# support isomerism? Why or why not?

Edited to add, #[Co(NH_3)_5NO_2]^(2+)#, could possibly support linkage isomerism, should the nitro ligand coordinate through the #N# OR the #O# donor. This is an undergraduate treatment, and unsuitable for A level.