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Why is geometrical isomers not possible in tetrahedral complexes having two different types of unidentate ligands?

Why is geometrical isomers not possible in tetrahedral complexes having two different types of unidentate ligands?

Grade:12th Pass

2 Answers

bhaveen kumar
38 Points
11 years ago

Geometrical isomerism in complexes of co-ordination number 4:• Complexes having co-ordination number 4 adopt tetrahedral or square planar geometry.  • Geometrical isomerism is not possible in tetrahedral complexes.  • Square planar complexes of the type MA2X2, MA2XY, MABX2, MABXY can exist as geometrical isomers.  www.sakshieducation.comwww.sakshieducation.com(Here A and B are neutral ligands such as H2O, NH3, CO, NO, C2H5N whereas X and Y are anionic ligands such as Cl–, NO2–, CN–, SCN–1 etc.) 1) [PtCl2(NH3)2]    Trans (Dark yellow)PtNH3ClClH3NPtNH3NH3ClClCis-(Pale yellow)2) [PtCl(C5H5N)2(NH3)]   PtNH3PyPyClTransPtNH3ClPyPyCis   • Geometrical isomerism is also shown by o

Geometrical isomerism is also shown by octahedron complexes in which the co-ordination number of the central metal atom is 6. • MA2X4, MA4X2, MA4XY etc. types of complexes exhibit geometrical isomerism. Ex:  [CoCl2(NH3)4]+ClNH3PtClNH3H3NH3NCis-(Violet)ClPtNH3NH3H3NH3NTrans(Green)Cl2) [Fe(CN)4 (NH3)2]– FeNH3CNNCNCCisNH3CN NH3FeCNCNNCNCTransNH3• Octahedral complexes of the type [MA3B3] like [Co(NO2)3(NH3)3] also exist in two geometrical isomers.  • When the three ligands (with same donor atoms) are on the same triangular face of the octahedron, the isomer is called facial or fac isomer. • When the three ligands are on the same equatorial plane of the octahedron i.e. around the meridian of the octahedron, the isomer is called meridional or merisomer. Ex : [CoCl3(NH3)3]

Anjali Barwal
11 Points
7 years ago
Tetrahedral complexes do not show geometrical isomerism because the relative positions of unidentate ligands attached to the central atom are same with respect to each other.

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