RankLab
Back to Concepts
ChemistryHardClass 12

IUPAC + Isomerism in Coordination Compounds

Coordination Compounds

58

JEE Qs

20%

Hard

90

min

Systematically apply IUPAC rules by breaking down the complex into its components and draw all possible isomeric structures to identify and verify each type, paying close attention to symmetry elements for optical activity.

๐Ÿงฎ Key Formulas

IUPAC Anionic Ligand Suffixes: -ido (for anions like Cl-, Br-), -ato (for polyatomic anions like SO4^2-)
IUPAC Neutral Ligands: typically no suffix change (e.g., aqua, ammine, carbonyl, nitrosyl)
IUPAC Cationic Complex: Ligands (alphabetical with prefixes) + Metal Name + (Oxidation State in Roman numerals) + Counter Ion Name
IUPAC Anionic Complex: Ligands (alphabetical with prefixes) + Metal Name (with -ate suffix) + (Oxidation State in Roman numerals) + Counter Ion Name
General conditions for Geometric Isomerism in Square Planar: Ma2b2, M(AB)2, Ma2bc
General conditions for Geometric Isomerism in Octahedral: Ma4b2 (cis/trans), Ma3b3 (fac/mer), Ma2b2c2, M(AA)2b2 (AA is symmetrical bidentate)
General conditions for Optical Isomerism: Non-superimposable mirror image (chiral), absence of plane of symmetry and center of symmetry. Common for octahedral complexes with chelating ligands, e.g., M(AA)3, M(AA)2X2 (cis-isomer).

โœ… Key Points for JEE

  • 1Master the systematic IUPAC nomenclature for both cationic, anionic, and neutral coordination complexes, including prefixes for number of ligands (di, tri, tetra, bis, tris, tetrakis) and the use of '-ate' suffix for anionic complexes.
  • 2Accurately determine the oxidation state of the central metal atom, as it is crucial for both naming and understanding the complex's properties, including isomerism.
  • 3Distinguish clearly between structural isomerism (ionization, linkage, hydrate, coordination) and stereoisomerism (geometric, optical), understanding the specific structural differences that define each type.
  • 4For stereoisomerism, always consider the coordination number and geometry (especially square planar and octahedral) to predict the possibility and types of geometric isomers (cis/trans, fac/mer) and optical isomers (enantiomers).
  • 5Chelating ligands significantly influence isomerism; they often restrict rotations, favoring certain geometries and are key to developing chirality for optical isomerism.

โš ๏ธ Common Mistakes

  • โœ•Incorrectly calculating the oxidation state of the central metal, leading to errors in both naming and isomerism identification.
  • โœ•Confusing the rules for naming anionic ligands with neutral ones, or failing to apply the '-ate' suffix for central metals in anionic complexes.
  • โœ•Overlooking or misidentifying isomers, especially subtle differences in linkage or ionization isomers, or failing to draw all possible stereoisomers for a given formula.
  • โœ•Incorrectly determining the presence or absence of a plane/center of symmetry for optical isomerism, particularly in octahedral complexes with bidentate ligands.

๐Ÿ“ Practice Questions

See all

Q74.In the Claisen-Schmidt reaction to prepare, dibenzalacetone from 5.3 g of benzaldehyde, a total of 3.51 g of product was obtained. The percentage yield in this reaction was ______ %.

2025ยทNumericalHard

Q61.The calculated spin-only magnetic moments of K3 [Fe(OH)6] and K4 [Fe(OH)6] respectively are : (1) 3.87 and 4.90 B.M. (2) 4.90 and 5.92 B.M. (3) 4.90 and 4.90 B.M. (4) 5.92 and 4.90 B.M.

2025ยทMCQMedium

Q54.Identify the homoleptic complexes with odd number of d electrons in the central metal : (A) [FeO4]2โˆ’ (B) [Fe(CN)6]3โˆ’ (C) [Fe(CN)5NO]2โˆ’ (D) [CoCl4]2โˆ’ (E) [Co(H2O)3 F3] Choose the correct answer from the options given below : (1) (A), (B) and (D) only (2) (C) and (E) only (3) (B) and (D) only (4) (A), (C) and (E) only

2025ยทMCQMedium

Q68.In which of the following complexes the CFSE, ฮ”o will be equal to zero? (1) [Fe(en)3]Cl3 (2) K4 [Fe(CN)6] (3) [Fe(NH3)6]Br2 (4) K3 [Fe(SCN)6]

2025ยทMCQMedium

Q70.From the magnetic behaviour of [NiCl4]2โˆ’ (paramagnetic) and [Ni(CO)4] (diamagnetic), choose the correct geometry and oxidation state. (1) [NiCl4]2โˆ’: NiII , tetrahedral [Ni(CO)4] : NiII , (2) [NiCl4]2โˆ’ : NiII , square planar [Ni(CO)4] : Ni(0) square planar , square planar (3) [NiCl4]2โˆ’: NiII , tetrahedral [Ni(CO)4] : Ni(0), (4) [NiCl4]2โˆ’: Ni(0), tetrahedral [Ni(CO)4] : Ni(0), tetrahedral square planar

2025ยทMCQHard

Q53.The correct order of the following complexes in terms of their crystal field stabilization energies is : (1) [Co(NH3)4]2+ < [Co(NH3)6]2+ < [Co(en)3]3+ < [Co(NH3)6]3+ (2) [Co(NH3)6]2+ < [Co(NH3)6]3+ < [Co(NH3)4]2+ < [Co(en)3]3+ (3) [Co(en)3]3+ < [Co(NH3)6]3+ < [Co(NH3)6]2+ < [Co(NH3)4]2+ (4) [Co(NH3)4]2+ < [Co(NH3)6]2+ < [Co(NH3)6]3+ < [Co(en)3]3+

2025ยทMCQHard

NCERT Chapters

  • Class 12 Chemistry Ch 9: Coordination Compounds