Skip to main content
Ch.21 - Transition Elements and Coordination Chemistry
McMurry - Chemistry 8th Edition
McMurry8th EditionChemistryISBN: 9781292336145Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksMcMurry 8th EditionCh.21 - Transition Elements and Coordination ChemistryProblem 21.96
Chapter 21, Problem 21.96

Draw the structures of all possible diastereoisomers of an octahedral complex with the formula MA2B2C2. Which of the diastereoisomers, if any, can exist as enantiomers?

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the ligands: A, B, and C are different ligands in the octahedral complex MA_2B_2C_2.
Consider the arrangement of ligands around the central metal ion in an octahedral geometry.
Recognize that diastereoisomers are non-mirror image stereoisomers, so explore different spatial arrangements of the ligands.
Draw the possible arrangements: 1) A cis arrangement where two identical ligands are adjacent, and 2) A trans arrangement where two identical ligands are opposite each other.
Determine which of these arrangements can have non-superimposable mirror images, indicating the presence of enantiomers.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Octahedral Complexes

Octahedral complexes are coordination compounds where a central metal atom is surrounded by six ligands at the corners of an octahedron. The arrangement of ligands can lead to different geometric isomers, such as facial (fac) and meridional (mer) isomers, which are crucial for understanding the stereochemistry of the complex.
Recommended video:
Guided course
01:28
For octahedral complexes, Weak-Field Ligands create High-spin complexes and Strong-Field Ligands create Low-spin complexes.

Diastereoisomers

Diastereoisomers are stereoisomers that are not mirror images of each other. In octahedral complexes, the presence of multiple types of ligands can lead to different spatial arrangements, resulting in diastereoisomers. These isomers can have different physical properties and reactivities, making their identification important in coordination chemistry.

Enantiomers

Enantiomers are a specific type of stereoisomer that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other. For a diastereoisomer to exist as an enantiomer, it must have a chiral center, which in octahedral complexes can occur depending on the arrangement of the ligands. Understanding chirality is essential for determining which diastereoisomers can exist as enantiomers.
Recommended video:
Guided course
02:33
Drawing Enantiomers
Related Practice
Textbook Question
In excess of NH3(aq), Zn2+ forms a complex ion, [Zn(NH3)4]2+ which has a formation constant Kf = 7.8 x 10^8. Calculate the concentration of Zn2+ in a solution prepared by adding 1.00 x 10^-2 mol Zn(NO3)2 to 1.00 L of 0.250 M NH3. (a) 7.9 x 10^-4 M(b) 2.8 x 10^-6 M(c) 3.9 x 10^-9 M(d) 6.4 x 10^-11 M
2280
views
Textbook Question

The oxalate ion is a bidentate ligand as indicated in Figure 21.8. Would you expect the carbonate ion to be a monodentate or bidentate ligand? Explain your reasoning.

105
views
Textbook Question

What is the oxidation state of the metal in each of the complexes?

a. AgCl2–

b. [Cr(H2O)5Cl]2+

c. [Co(NCS)4]2–

d. [ZrF8]4–

e. [Fe(EDTA)(H2O)]–

89
views
Textbook Question

What is the electron configuration of Co2+ and how many unpaired electrons are in the free transition metal ion?

(a) [Ar]3d54s2; 5 unpaired electrons

(b) [Ar]3d54s2; 1 unpaired electron

(c) [Ar]3d7; 3 unpaired electrons

(d) [Ar]3d7; 1 unpaired electron

91
views
Textbook Question

The [Cr(H2O)6]3+ ion is violet, and [Cr(CN)6]3- is yellow. Explain this difference using crystal field theory. Use the colors to order H2O and CN- in the spectrochemical series.

137
views
Textbook Question

Look at the colors of the isomeric complexes in Figure 21.12, and predict which is the stronger field ligand, nitro (-NO2) of nitrito (-ONO). Explain. 

89
views