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Coordination Compounds question

2020 · 9 Jan · Shift 1 · Q17
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Coordination Compounds question

2020 · 9 Jan · Shift 1 · Q17

JEE MainChemistryCoordination CompoundsMCQ+4 / −1
Complex X of composition Cr(H2O)6ClnCr(H_2O)_6ClnCr(H2​O)6​Cln has a spin only magnetic moment of 3.83 BM. It reacts with AgNO3AgNO_3AgNO3​ and shows geometrical isomerism. The IUPAC nomenclature of X is :
  1. A
    Hexaaqua chromium (III) chloride
  2. B
    Tetraaquadichlorido chromium(IV) chloride dihydrate
  3. C
    Tetraaquadichlorido chromium (III) chloride dihydrate
  4. D
    Dichloridotetraaqua chromium (IV) chloride dihydrate
View written solutionFree

Correct answer: C

  1. Use magnetic moment to find oxidation state / electron count

Given spin-only magnetic moment: μ=3.83 BM\mu = 3.83\ \text{BM}μ=3.83 BM

For spin-only moment, μ=n(n+2)\mu = \sqrt{n(n+2)}μ=n(n+2)​ where nnn is the number of unpaired electrons.

Now, 3(3+2)=15≈3.87 BM\sqrt{3(3+2)} = \sqrt{15} \approx 3.87\ \text{BM}3(3+2)​=15​≈3.87 BM which is very close to 3.833.833.83 BM.

So, the complex has: n=3 unpaired electronsn=3\ \text{unpaired electrons}n=3 unpaired electrons

For chromium:

  • Cr3+Cr^{3+}Cr3+ is 3d33d^33d3  has 3 unpaired electrons
  • Cr4+Cr^{4+}Cr4+ is 3d23d^23d2  has 2 unpaired electrons

Hence chromium is in the +3+3+3 oxidation state.

So options with chromium(IV) are eliminated:

  • B wrong
  • D wrong

  1. Use reaction with AgNO3AgNO_3AgNO3​ to determine ionisable chloride

The complex has composition: Cr(H2O)6ClnCr(H_2O)_6Cl_nCr(H2​O)6​Cln​

It reacts with AgNO3AgNO_3AgNO3​, so at least one Cl−Cl^-Cl− must be outside the coordination sphere as counter ion, because only free chloride gives AgClAgClAgCl precipitate readily.

Also, the complex shows geometrical isomerism.

Let us test possibilities:

  • [Cr(H2O)6]Cl3[Cr(H_2O)_6]Cl_3[Cr(H2​O)6​]Cl3​ : octahedral with all six ligands same inside sphere  no geometrical isomerism.
  • [Cr(H2O)5Cl]Cl2⋅H2O[Cr(H_2O)_5Cl]Cl_2\cdot H_2O[Cr(H2​O)5​Cl]Cl2​⋅H2​O : type MA5BMA_5BMA5​B  no geometrical isomerism.
  • [Cr(H2O)4Cl2]Cl⋅2H2O[Cr(H_2O)_4Cl_2]Cl\cdot 2H_2O[Cr(H2​O)4​Cl2​]Cl⋅2H2​O : type MA4B2MA_4B_2MA4​B2​  shows cis/trans geometrical isomerism.

Therefore the complex must be: [Cr(H2O)4Cl2]Cl⋅2H2O[Cr(H_2O)_4Cl_2]Cl\cdot 2H_2O[Cr(H2​O)4​Cl2​]Cl⋅2H2​O

This matches chromium in +3 oxidation state: x+2(−1)=+1⇒x=+3x + 2(-1) = +1 \Rightarrow x=+3x+2(−1)=+1⇒x=+3 inside the complex ion [Cr(H2O)4Cl2]+[Cr(H_2O)_4Cl_2]^+[Cr(H2​O)4​Cl2​]+.


  1. Write the correct IUPAC name

For [Cr(H2O)4Cl2]Cl⋅2H2O[Cr(H_2O)_4Cl_2]Cl\cdot 2H_2O[Cr(H2​O)4​Cl2​]Cl⋅2H2​O

Name of cationic complex:

  • 444 aqua ligands  tetraaqua
  • 222 chlorido ligands  dichlorido
  • metal with oxidation state +3+3+3  chromium(III)

Then outside-sphere anion:

  • chloride

Then water of crystallization:

  • dihydrate

So the name is: Tetraaquadichloridochromium(III) chloride dihydrate\boxed{\text{Tetraaquadichloridochromium(III) chloride dihydrate}}Tetraaquadichloridochromium(III) chloride dihydrate​

This corresponds to Option C.


  1. Check options
  • A Hexaaqua chromium(III) chloride  would be [Cr(H2O)6]Cl3[Cr(H_2O)_6]Cl_3[Cr(H2​O)6​]Cl3​, no geometrical isomerism.
  • B chromium(IV)  inconsistent with magnetic moment.
  • C correct.
  • D chromium(IV)  inconsistent with magnetic moment.

Therefore, the correct answer is: C\boxed{\text{C}}C​

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