Which of the following statements is true regarding the complex [Co(NH3)6]3+?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following statements is true regarding the complex [Co(NH3)6]3+?
It is tetrahedral
It is octahedral
It is square planar
It has no unpaired electrons
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following statements is true regarding the complex [Co(NH3)6]3+?
Step 1: Identify the complex ion, which is [Co(NH3)6]3+. This means it has a cobalt (Co) ion surrounded by six ammonia (NH3) ligands.
Step 2: Understand that ligands are molecules or ions that can donate a pair of electrons to the metal ion. In this case, NH3 is a neutral ligand.
Step 3: Recognize that cobalt in this complex has a +3 charge, which affects its coordination with ligands.
Step 4: Determine the coordination number, which is the number of ligands attached to the metal ion. Here, there are six NH3 ligands, so the coordination number is 6.
Step 5: Learn that complexes with a coordination number of 6 typically adopt an octahedral geometry, meaning the ligands are arranged at the corners of an octahedron around the central metal ion.
Step 6: Conclude that since there are six NH3 ligands surrounding the cobalt ion, the geometry of [Co(NH3)6]3+ is octahedral.
