CH 221: COORDINATION AND ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY

TUTORIAL QUESTIONS

1) In each of the following complexes, determine the overall charge, n, which may be negative
or positive:
a) [FeII(bpy)3]n
b) [CrIII(ox)3]n
c) [CrIIIF6]n
d) [NiII(en)3]n
e) [MnII(ox)2(H2O)2]n
f) [ZnII(py)4]n
g) [CoIIICl2(en)2]n

2) Comment on the possibility of isomer formation for each of the following complexes:
a) [Ru(py)3Cl3]
b) [Ru(bpy)2Cl2]+
c) [Ru(tpy)Cl3]

3) Explain the type of isomerism that relates the Cr(III) complexes [Cr(en)3][Cr(ox)3] and
[Cr(en)(ox)2][Cr(en)2(ox)]
4) For each of coordination number from two to six, mention the principal geometrical
arrangements
5) What do the following abbreviations stand for: TBP, SP, fac, mer?
6) What is meant by tetragonal, rhombic and trigonal distortion of an octahedron?
7) Give the structures of the following ligands: acac, en, and edta4-.
8) Show in the drawings the enantiomorphs of the type of complexes
i. M(L-L)2X2
ii. M(L-L)3
9) Give examples for each of the isomers: ionization, linkage and coordinate isomers.
10) Write the names of each of the following:
i. [Co(NH3)4(en)]Cl3
ii. [Cr(en)Cl4]-
iii. [Pt(acac)NH3Cl]
iv. [Ru(NH3)5N2](NO2)2
v. KFeCl4
11) What is meant by fluxional molecules? What is the experimental evidence that proves PF5 to
be one?
12) Suppose you prepare [Co(en)2Cl2]+ complex. Ignoring possible ring conformation effects,
how many isomers, geometric and optical, could be formed?
13) With vivid examples, describe ligand types.
14) What is it meant by the terms double salts and complex compounds?
15) Determine the CFSE if Δo = 2100 cm-1 for the following configurations:
a) d4 high spin.
 b) d4 low spin, assume the pairing energy P = 28,000 cm-1.

16) Given a Δo value of 1040 and 3140 cm-1 for high spin and low spin d6 ion respectively,
determine the CFSE in the following configurations if the pairing energy P = 17,600 cm-1:
a) weak field
b) strong field

17) The d8 complexes [Ni(CN)4]2- and [NiCl4]2- are square planar and tetrahedral respectively.
Will these complexes be paramagnetic or diamagnetic?

18) Using the crystal field theory:

a) Explain why there is no distinction between low and high-spin arrangements for an
octahedral d8 metal ion.
b) Discuss the factors that contribute to the preference for forming either a high- or low-
spin d4 complex
c) Explain why the five d-orbitals in an octahedral complex are not degenerate

19) Comment on the observations that octahedral Ni(II) complexes have magnetic moments in
the range 2.9-3.4 BM, tetrahedral Ni(II) complexes have moments up to 4.1 BM, and square
planar Ni(II) complexes are diamagnetic.

20) With the help of examples explain the fact that the valence bond theory cannot tell whether a
four coordination compound will have tetrahedral or square planar geometry.

21) Explain the usefulness and drawbacks of the VBT and the CFT.

22) Rationalize the number of observed unpaired electrons (stated after the formula) in each of
the following complexes:

a) [Cr(en)3]2+ (4)
b) [Mn(CN)6]4- (1)
c) [Mn(CN)6]2- (3)
d) [Fe(ox)3]3- (5)
e) [Pd(CN)4]2- (0)
f) [NiBr4]2- (2)
g) [CoCl4]2- (3)