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NEET CHEMISTRYMedium

The geometry and magnetic behaviour of the complex [Ni(CO)₄] are:

A

Square planar geometry and Diamagnetic

B

Tetrahedral geometry and Diamagnetic

C

Square planar geometry and Paramagnetic

D

Tetrahedral geometry and Paramagnetic

Step-by-Step Solution

We determine the geometry and magnetic properties based on Valence Bond Theory:

  1. Oxidation State: In [Ni(CO)4][Ni(CO)_4], the ligand Carbonyl (CO) is neutral. Therefore, the oxidation state of Nickel (Ni) is 0.
  2. Electronic Configuration: Nickel (Z=28) in the ground state has the configuration [Ar]3d84s2[Ar]3d^8 4s^2. Since the oxidation state is 0, the configuration remains the same.
  3. Ligand Field Effect: CO is a very strong field ligand. Under its influence, the two electrons in the 4s4s orbital are forced to pair up with the electrons in the 3d3d orbitals. This results in a fully filled 3d103d^{10} configuration ([Ar]3d104s0[Ar]3d^{10} 4s^0).
  4. Hybridisation: To accommodate the four CO ligands, the empty 4s4s orbital and the three 4p4p orbitals undergo mixing to form four equivalent sp3sp^3 hybrid orbitals.
  5. Geometry: sp3sp^3 hybridisation corresponds to Tetrahedral geometry.
  6. Magnetic Behaviour: Since all the electrons in the 3d3d orbitals are paired (3d103d^{10}), there are no unpaired electrons. Consequently, the complex is Diamagnetic.

Conclusion: The complex is tetrahedral and diamagnetic .

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