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Why is cis-trans isomerism not possible in coordination complexes with tetrahedral geometry?

Sanjukta , 9 Years ago
Grade 12th pass
anser 3 Answers
Jayant Kishore

Last Activity: 9 Years ago

Tetrahedral complexes do not show geometrical isomerism because the geometery of the ligands is definite as any two ligands lie at 109o28’ . Therefore the relative positions of  ligands are same with respect to each other.

Sanjukta

Last Activity: 9 Years ago

Thus this mean they the bonds of same groups can neither be at the nearest position(cis isomer) nor be at the farthest position(trans isomer)?

Jayant Kishore

Last Activity: 9 Years ago

In tetrahedal geometry no mater if you change the position of ligands from nearest to farthest on paper but both are actually the same if you imagine a 3D shape and look from other side .
All ligands are adjacent to each other at equal angles , so when you change the position of a ligand it will be same again . Try to imagine in 3D

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