How many isomers are possible for #[Cr(NO_2)(NH_3)_5]Cl_2#?

1 Answer
Dec 16, 2016

A couple, but there is of course a catch.......

Explanation:

For the complex ion #[Cr(NO_2)(NH_3)_5]^(2+)#, only the one isomer would be available but for the ambident nature of the ligand, #NO_2^-#.

#"Nitro-nitrito"# isomerism can occur, depending on whether the ligand is #"N-bound, nitro"# or #"O-bound, nitrito"#; and thus 2 isomers are possible. The #NO_2^-# ligand can also bind in a chelate fashion, but I doubt it is doing so in a co-ordinatively saturated #Cr(III+)# complex.