Which of the following complexes is an example of a square planar geometry?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following complexes is an example of a square planar geometry?
[Ni(CN)4]2-
[Co(NH3)6]3+
[Fe(H2O)6]2+
[CuCl4]2-
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following complexes is an example of a square planar geometry?
Step 1: Understand what square planar geometry means. It is a shape where four atoms or groups are arranged at the corners of a square, with one atom in the center.
Step 2: Identify the complex in the question, which is [Ni(CN)4]2-. This means it has nickel (Ni) at the center and four cyanide (CN) groups attached to it.
Step 3: Recall that square planar geometry is common for certain metal complexes, especially those with d8 electron configuration like Ni(II).
Step 4: Compare [Ni(CN)4]2- with other complexes mentioned in the question. Most of them will have octahedral geometry, which has six groups around the central atom.
Step 5: Conclude that [Ni(CN)4]2- is indeed a square planar complex because it has four groups arranged in a square around the nickel.
