How many stereoisomers are possible for tetrahedral [NiCl2Br2]2–?

1 Answer
Ernest Z.
Nov 12, 2015

No stereoisomers are possible for tetrahedral ["NiCl"_2"Br"_2]^(2-).

Explanation:

The only possible stereoisomer of a tetrahedral ion or molecule is its nonsuperimposable mirror image (enantiomer).

A tetrahedral molecule or ion must have four different atoms or groups attached to the central atom to be chiral and exist as a pair of enantiomers.

["NiCl"_2"Br"_2]^(2-) has two "Br" atoms and two "Cl" atoms attached to the central "Ni" atom.

The tetrahedral structure is similar to that of "CH"_2"Cl"_2

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It can't possibly be chiral.

So tetrahedral ["NiCl"_2"Br"_2]^(2-) has no stereoisomers.

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