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Coordination Compounds question

2009 · Shift 0 · Q15
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Coordination Compounds question

2009 · Shift 0 · Q15

JEE MainChemistryCoordination CompoundsMCQ+4 / −1
Which of the following has an optical isomer ?
  1. A
    [Co(en)(NH3)2]2+[Co(en)(NH_3)_2]^{2+}[Co(en)(NH3​)2​]2+
  2. B
    [Co(H2O)4(en)]3+[Co(H_2O)_4(en)]^{3+}[Co(H2​O)4​(en)]3+
  3. C
    [Co(en)2(NH3)2]3+[Co(en)_2(NH_3)_2]^{3+}[Co(en)2​(NH3​)2​]3+
  4. D
    [Co(NH3)3Cl]+[Co(NH_3)_3Cl]^+[Co(NH3​)3​Cl]+
View written solutionFree

Correct answer: C

  1. Recall the condition for optical isomerism in coordination compounds

    Optical isomerism arises when a complex is chiral, i.e. it has no plane of symmetry, no center of symmetry, and no improper axis.

    In coordination chemistry, for octahedral complexes, optical isomerism is commonly shown by:

    • [M(AA)3][M(AA)_3][M(AA)3​]
    • cis-[M(AA)2a2][M(AA)_2a_2][M(AA)2​a2​] where AAAAAA is a bidentate ligand such as en (ethylenediamine).

  1. Examine each option

Option A: [Co(en)(NH3)2]2+[Co(en)(NH_3)_2]^{2+}[Co(en)(NH3​)2​]2+

  • Here, only one bidentate ligand enenen is present.
  • The coordination number is also unclear as written, but such a species does not generate the usual chiral octahedral arrangement.
  • With just one enenen and identical monodentate ligands, the complex retains symmetry.

So, A is not optically active.


Option B: [Co(H2O)4(en)]3+[Co(H_2O)_4(en)]^{3+}[Co(H2​O)4​(en)]3+

  • This is an octahedral complex of type [M(AA)a4][M(AA)a_4][M(AA)a4​].
  • One bidentate ligand enenen occupies two adjacent positions, and four identical H2OH_2OH2​O ligands occupy the remaining four positions.
  • Such a complex has a plane of symmetry and is therefore achiral.

So, B does not show optical isomerism.


Option C: [Co(en)2(NH3)2]3+[Co(en)_2(NH_3)_2]^{3+}[Co(en)2​(NH3​)2​]3+

  • This is of type [M(AA)2a2][M(AA)_2a_2][M(AA)2​a2​].
  • Such complexes can exist as cis and trans forms.
  • The cis form is chiral and shows optical isomerism.
  • The trans form is achiral.

Since the formula corresponds to a complex that can have an optically active cis form, this option has optical isomer.

So, C shows optical isomerism.


Option D: [Co(NH3)3Cl]+[Co(NH_3)_3Cl]^+[Co(NH3​)3​Cl]+

  • As written, this does not correspond to a coordination environment capable of optical isomerism.
  • It lacks the kind of bidentate ligand arrangement needed for chirality here.

So, D does not show optical isomerism.


  1. Final conclusion

The complex that has an optical isomer is:

[Co(en)2(NH3)2]3+\boxed{[Co(en)_2(NH_3)_2]^{3+}}[Co(en)2​(NH3​)2​]3+​

So the correct option is C.

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