Question

Write the cis isomers of the complex [CoCl₂(en)(NH₃)₄]⁺.

Answer 1

• Co³⁺ as the central metal ion.
• Two chloride (Cl⁻) ions, which are monodentate ligands.
• Ethylenediamine (en), which is a bidentate ligand.
• Four ammonia (NH₃) molecules, which are neutral monodentate ligands.
• In the cis isomer, the two chloride ions are positioned next to each other (adjacent) in the coordination sphere, and the ethylenediamine (en) ligand is positioned across from the pair of chlorides.
• The chloride ions are adjacent to each other (90° apart).
• This results in a square planar arrangement of the ligands around the Co³⁺ ion, with the two chloride ions being adjacent to each other.