[Co(en)3]3+ exhibits optical isomerism because it has chiral centers due to the bidentate ligand ethylenediamine (en).
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
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Q
Q: What type of isomerism is shown by [Co(en)3]3+?
Solution: [Co(en)3]3+ exhibits optical isomerism because it has chiral centers due to the bidentate ligand ethylenediamine (en).
Steps: 6
Step 1: Identify the complex ion [Co(en)3]3+. This means it has a cobalt (Co) ion and three ethylenediamine (en) ligands.
Step 2: Understand what a bidentate ligand is. A bidentate ligand can attach to a metal ion at two points. Ethylenediamine (en) is a bidentate ligand.
Step 3: Determine the structure of [Co(en)3]3+. The three en ligands wrap around the cobalt ion in a way that can create different spatial arrangements.
Step 4: Recognize that chiral centers are points in a molecule where the arrangement of atoms can lead to non-superimposable mirror images (like left and right hands).
Step 5: Conclude that since [Co(en)3]3+ has chiral centers due to the arrangement of the bidentate ligands, it can exist in two forms that are mirror images of each other.
