Chemistry

Coordination Chemistry

319 Questions

Coordination chemistry focuses on coordination compounds, their structures, and their magnetic properties. The questions cover primary and secondary valencies, ligand types, and geometries of complexes. This topic is heavily tested in chemistry competitive exams and requires a good grasp of molecular structures.

primary and secondary valencycomplex geometriesligand field theorymagnetic properties of complexesisomerism in complexes

Coordination Chemistry Questions

Multiple choice
  1. 2, 3 and 4 (Tetrahedral only).

  2. 2, 4 (Tetrahedral only) and 6.

  3. 2, 3 and 4 (Square planar only).

  4. 2, 4 (Tetrahedral and square planar).

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Geometrical isomerism requires restricted ligand arrangement with cis/trans positioning. Tetrahedral complexes (CN=4) never show it because all ligands are adjacent. Linear (CN=2) and trigonal planar (CN=3) geometries lack the spatial arrangement needed. Square planar (CN=4) and octahedral (CN=6) complexes do show geometrical isomerism.

Multiple choice
  1. Hydrogen

  2. Nitrogen

  3. Chlorine

  4. Cobalt

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In coordination compounds, donor atoms are ligand atoms that directly coordinate to the central metal ion. In [Co(NH3)6]Cl3, ammonia (NH3) ligands coordinate through nitrogen atoms. Chlorine is outside the coordination sphere as a counterion.

Multiple choice
  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.

Multiple choice
  1. 1

  2. 2

  3. 4

  4. 6

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The oxalate ion (C2O4)2- is a bidentate ligand, coordinating through two oxygen atoms. In [Cr(C2O4)3]3-, three oxalate ligands each donate two electron pairs, giving 3×2=6 donor atoms bonded to chromium, so CN=6.

Multiple choice
  1. Geometrical isomers have same physical and chemical properties.

  2. In cis-isomers, the two identical ligands occupy the positions diagonal to each other.

  3. In trans-isomers, the two identical ligands occupy the positions adjacent to each other.

  4. Geometrical isomerism is a type of stereo isomerism.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Geometrical isomerism is a subtype of stereoisomerism where isomers differ in spatial arrangement but not in bonding connectivity. Geometrical isomers have different physical properties. Cis-isomers have identical ligands adjacent; trans-isomers have them opposite.

Multiple choice
  1. Square planar

  2. Tetrahedral

  3. Trigonal planar

  4. Trigonal bipyramidal

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Fe(CO)5 is iron pentacarbonyl, a neutral coordination complex. With five CO ligands around a central metal ion, the only stable geometry that minimizes repulsion while satisfying the 18-electron rule is trigonal bipyramidal. Square planar would require only 4 ligands, tetrahedral geometry with 5 ligands is unstable, and trigonal planar only accommodates 3 ligands.

Multiple choice
  1. [Co(NH3)5ONO]2+ and [Co(NH3)5NO2]2+

  2. [Co(NH3)4Cl2] NO2 and [Co(NH3)4 (Cl) NO2] Cl

  3. [Co(py)2 (H2O)2Cl2]Cl and [Co(py)2 (H2O)Cl3] H2O

  4. [Co(NH3)4 Cl2]NO2 and [Co(NH3)4(Cl)NO2]Cl

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Linkage isomerism occurs when ambidentate ligands can bind through different donor atoms. The nitrite ion (NO2-) is a classic ambidentate ligand that can bind through nitrogen (nitro: -NO2) or through oxygen (nitrito: -ONO). The two complexes [Co(NH3)5ONO]2+ and [Co(NH3)5NO2]2+ differ only in which atom binds to cobalt, making them linkage isomers.