Which one of the following complex ions has an optical isomer?
a. [Zn(phen)2]2+
b. [Cu(CN)4]2–
c. [Co(H2O)4en]2+
d. [Zn(NH3)2en]2+
e. [Ni(en)3]2+
how would i go about finding this answer? i don't need the answer give would prefer steps. thanks
Draw an octahedran and plug the liqands onto the sides got c,d, and e (those have coordination of 6. Fopr a and b do a square and plug in the ligands. If you can do one of them in two different ways; i.e., so that two of the ligands are cis in one position and trans in another, that will be the one optical active. I won't tell you the answer; see if you can figure it out.
im not to sure what phen and en are short for. but im thinking the answers maybe d) if zinc is bonded to 2 (NH3) and if en means the rest of atoms its bonded to are the same.??
To determine which one of the given complex ions has an optical isomer, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Understand the concept of optical isomers:
Optical isomers, also known as enantiomers, are non-superimposable mirror images of each other. They have the same chemical formula and connectivity but differ in the arrangement of atoms in three-dimensional space.
Step 2: Analyze the complex ions:
Examine each complex ion given and identify the ligands present in it. Ligands are the atoms or molecules attached to the central metal ion.
a. [Zn(phen)2]2+: In this complex, the ligand is 1,10-phenanthroline (phen).
b. [Cu(CN)4]2–: In this complex, the ligand is cyanide (CN).
c. [Co(H2O)4en]2+: In this complex, the ligand is ethylenediamine (en).
d. [Zn(NH3)2en]2+: This complex ion contains two ligands, ammonia (NH3), and ethylenediamine (en).
e. [Ni(en)3]2+: In this complex, the ligand is ethylenediamine (en).
Step 3: Determine the presence of asymmetric carbon or chiral center:
For a complex ion to have an optical isomer, it must contain an asymmetric carbon or a chiral center. An asymmetric carbon is a carbon atom that is attached to four different groups or ligands.
a. [Zn(phen)2]2+: This complex does not have a chiral center as there is no carbon atom bonded to four different groups.
b. [Cu(CN)4]2–: Copper complexes do not have an asymmetric carbon or chiral center, so this ion does not have an optical isomer.
c. [Co(H2O)4en]2+: Cobalt complexes do not have an asymmetric carbon, so this ion does not have an optical isomer.
d. [Zn(NH3)2en]2+: This complex does not have a chiral center as there is no carbon atom bonded to four different groups.
e. [Ni(en)3]2+: This complex contains an asymmetric carbon, as each nitrogen atom in the ethylenediamine (en) ligand is bonded to different ligands (N, N, and CH2CH2NH2). Therefore, [Ni(en)3]2+ has an optical isomer.
Step 4: Conclusion:
Based on the analysis, the complex ion [Ni(en)3]2+ has an optical isomer.
Remember, this stepwise approach can be applied to similar problems involving complex ions and the presence of optical isomers.