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Which of the following coordination compounds can have cis and trans isomers? If such isomerism exists, draw the two structures and name the compound (a) [CoCl_2(NH_3)_4CI-H_2O (b) [CoCI(NH_3)_3]Br (c) PtCI_2 (NH_3)_2]
Expert Answer
Answer
(a) Octahedral complexes of the type Ma4b2 can have cis and trans isomers. [CoCl2(NH3)4]Cl.H2O has a metal complex as the cation which satisfies the above formula. The two isomers are shown below.
(c) Square planer complexes of the type Ma2b2 can exhibit cis-trans isomerism. [PtCl2(NH3)2] is a a square planer complex with the above formula and hence can show cis-trans isomerism as shown below.
