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NEET CHEMISTRYCoordination CompoundsMedium

Question

The existence of two different coloured complexes with the composition of [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+[Co(NH_3)_4Cl_2]^+ is due to:

A

Linkage isomerism

B

Geometrical isomerism

C

Coordination isomerism

D

Ionisation isomerism

Step-by-Step Solution

The complex ion [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+[Co(NH_3)_4Cl_2]^+ corresponds to an octahedral complex of the type [MA4B2][MA_4B_2] (where A is a neutral ligand NH3NH_3 and B is an anionic ligand ClCl^-).

  1. Geometrical Isomerism: This type of complex exhibits geometrical isomerism because the two chloride ligands can be arranged in two different ways relative to the central metal ion:
  • Cis-isomer: The two chloride ions are adjacent to each other (90° angle).
  • Trans-isomer: The two chloride ions are opposite to each other (180° angle).
  1. Different Properties: As noted in the NCERT text, these stereoisomers possess distinct physical properties, including colour. For the specific composition CoCl34NH3CoCl_3 \cdot 4NH_3 (which contains the [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+[Co(NH_3)_4Cl_2]^+ ion), one isomer is violet (cis) and the other is green (trans) .

Therefore, the existence of different coloured complexes for this composition is due to geometrical isomerism .

Exam Context & Concepts Covered

This question aligns with the NEET CHEMISTRY syllabus, specifically targeting concepts from Coordination Compounds. Mastering this topic is crucial for scoring well in the upcoming medical entrance examinations. Solving conceptually related problems will help you understand the nuances of these concepts and improve your problem-solving speed.

CHEMISTRYCoordination Compoundsexistencedifferentcolouredcomplexescomposition

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