The absorption of visible light in coordination compounds is primarily due to d-d transitions of unpaired electrons.
- [Ni(CN)₄]²⁻: Nickel is in the +2 oxidation state (3d8). The cyanide ion (CN−) is a strong field ligand. As per Valence Bond Theory and Crystal Field Theory, in a coordination number of 4 with a strong ligand, Ni2+ forms a square planar complex involving dsp² hybridisation. The strong field causes all 8 d-electrons to pair up in the lower energy orbitals (dxy,dyz,dzx,dz2). Since there are no unpaired electrons and the crystal field splitting energy (Δ) is very large (often shifting absorption to the UV region), it is the least expected to absorb in the visible region compared to the others .
- [Ni(H₂O)₆]²⁺: Contains H2O (weak field ligand). It is an outer orbital octahedral complex with 2 unpaired electrons (3d8). It is green in colour .
- [Cr(NH₃)₆]³⁺: Chromium is in the +3 oxidation state (3d3). It has 3 unpaired electrons and exhibits d-d transitions, absorbing visible light.
- [Fe(H₂O)₆]²⁺: Iron is in the +2 oxidation state (3d6). With a weak field ligand, it is high spin with 4 unpaired electrons, absorbing visible light (pale green).
Therefore, the diamagnetic complex [Ni(CN)4]2− is the correct answer.