Question

[CoF₆]³⁻ is a coordination complex ion.

State the magnetic behaviour of the complex.

Answer 1

The [CoF₆]³⁻ complex ion is paramagnetic because the central Cobalt(III) ion has an electronic configuration with unpaired electrons in its d-orbitals. In the octahedral field created by the fluoride ligands, Cobalt(III) (Co³⁺) is a d⁶ ion with a high spin configuration, resulting in four unpaired electrons which makes it paramagnetic.