What is the primary factor that determines the color of coordination compounds?
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the primary factor that determines the color of coordination compounds?
Nature of the metal ion
Nature of the ligands
Geometry of the complex
All of the above
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the primary factor that determines the color of coordination compounds?
Step 1: Understand that coordination compounds are made of a metal ion and molecules or ions called ligands.
Step 2: Recognize that the metal ion can be different types of metals, and each metal has its own unique properties.
Step 3: Learn that ligands are the molecules or ions that attach to the metal ion, and they can also vary in type and strength.
Step 4: Know that the arrangement of the ligands around the metal ion is called geometry, and it can change how the compound interacts with light.
Step 5: Realize that when light hits the coordination compound, some colors are absorbed while others are reflected, which determines the color we see.
Step 6: Understand that the specific energy levels of the d-orbitals in the metal ion and the influence of the ligands lead to d-d transitions, which are responsible for the color.
