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NEET CHEMISTRYMedium

Which of the following complex ions is expected to absorb visible light? (At. no. Zn=30\text{Zn} = 30, Sc=21\text{Sc} = 21, Ti=22\text{Ti} = 22, Cr=24\text{Cr} = 24)

A

[Sc(H2O)3(NH3)3]3+[\text{Sc}(\text{H}_2\text{O})_3(\text{NH}_3)_3]^{3+}

B

[Ti(en)2(NH3)2]4+[\text{Ti}(\text{en})_2(\text{NH}_3)_2]^{4+}

C

[\text{Cr(\text{NH}_3)}_6]^{3+}

D

[Zn(NH3)6]2+[\text{Zn}(\text{NH}_3)_6]^{2+}

Step-by-Step Solution

Absorption of visible light by a transition metal complex is generally due to ddd-d transitions. This requires the central metal ion to have an incompletely filled dd-subshell (d1d^1 to d9d^9 configuration). Let's check the electronic configurations of the central metal ions in the given complexes: (A) In [Sc(H2O)3(NH3)3]3+[\text{Sc}(\text{H}_2\text{O})_3(\text{NH}_3)_3]^{3+}, the oxidation state of Sc is +3+3. The electronic configuration of Sc3+\text{Sc}^{3+} (Z=21Z=21) is [Ar]3d0[\text{Ar}] 3d^0. Since it has no dd-electrons, no ddd-d transition can occur. (B) In [Ti(en)2(NH3)2]4+[\text{Ti}(\text{en})_2(\text{NH}_3)_2]^{4+}, the oxidation state of Ti is +4+4. The electronic configuration of Ti4+\text{Ti}^{4+} (Z=22Z=22) is [Ar]3d0[\text{Ar}] 3d^0. It also has no dd-electrons, so no ddd-d transition is possible. (C) In [\text{Cr(\text{NH}_3)}_6]^{3+}, the oxidation state of Cr is +3+3. The electronic configuration of Cr3+\text{Cr}^{3+} (Z=24Z=24) is [Ar]3d3[\text{Ar}] 3d^3. It has three unpaired dd-electrons (t2g3eg0t_{2g}^3 e_g^0), making it capable of undergoing ddd-d transitions and absorbing visible light. (D) In [Zn(NH3)6]2+[\text{Zn}(\text{NH}_3)_6]^{2+}, the oxidation state of Zn is +2+2. The electronic configuration of Zn2+\text{Zn}^{2+} (Z=30Z=30) is [Ar]3d10[\text{Ar}] 3d^{10}. Since the dd-subshell is completely filled, there are no empty dd-orbitals available for electrons to transition into, meaning ddd-d transitions are not possible. Therefore, [\text{Cr(\text{NH}_3)}_6]^{3+} is the only complex expected to absorb visible light.

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