Which coordination compound has a square planar geometry?

Practice Questions

Q1
Which coordination compound has a square planar geometry?
  1. [Cu(NH3)4]2+
  2. [Ni(CN)4]2-
  3. [CoCl4]2-
  4. [Fe(H2O)6]3+

Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions

Which coordination compound has a square planar geometry?
  • Step 1: Understand what a coordination compound is. It is a complex formed by a metal ion and surrounding molecules or ions called ligands.
  • Step 2: Identify the type of metal ion in the compound. In this case, we are looking at nickel (Ni).
  • Step 3: Determine the oxidation state of nickel in the complex [Ni(CN)4]2-. Here, nickel is in the +2 oxidation state.
  • Step 4: Check the electron configuration of nickel. Nickel has an atomic number of 28, and in the +2 state, it has 10 d-electrons (d8 configuration).
  • Step 5: Recognize that d8 metal ions often form square planar complexes due to their geometry preferences.
  • Step 6: Conclude that the complex [Ni(CN)4]2- has a square planar geometry because it contains a d8 metal ion (Ni2+).
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