Multiple choice

Which of the following coordination compounds does not show optical activity?

  1. [Co (NH3)3 Cl3]

  2. [Co (en)2 Cl2]+

  3. [Co (NH3)6] Cl3

  4. [Co (edta)]
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Optical activity requires non-superimposable mirror images (chirality). [Co(NH3)6]Cl3 has six identical ammonia ligands in octahedral geometry with perfect symmetry - it has multiple planes and axes of symmetry, making it achiral. The other compounds have asymmetric arrangements.

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