Question

Write the trans isomer of the complex [CoCl₂(en)(NH₃)₄]⁺.

Answer 1

• Co³⁺ as the central metal ion.
• Two chloride (Cl⁻) ions, which are monodentate ligands.
• The complex also contains ethylenediamine (en), a bidentate ligand.
• Four ammonia (NH₃) molecules, which are neutral monodentate ligands.
• The trans isomer of the complex [CoCl₂(en)(NH₃)₄]⁺ can be explained in terms of the spatial arrangement of its ligands around the central Co³⁺ ion. 
• The trans-isomer, the two Cl⁻ ligands are positioned opposite to each other (180° apart).
• This arrangement results in a different geometric configuration than the cis isomer, specifically in terms of the relative positioning of the ligands around the metal.