The kinds of isomer a complex can show. Structural isomers, geometrical isomers in square planar and octahedral complexes, and optical isomers.
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Created by StemPy LabIsomers have the same formula and a different structure. A complex can change its structure in four ways. Ligands and counter ions can swap places (ionisation and hydrate isomers). A ligand can bond through another atom (linkage isomers). Two complex ions can swap ligands (coordination isomers). Silver nitrate and a conductivity meter tell many of them apart.
Geometrical isomers have the same atoms and the same bonds but different positions in space. Two ligands can sit next to each other (cis) or opposite each other (trans). An octahedral complex with three of each of two ligands has a fac and a mer form. Counting the isomers means listing every arrangement and removing the ones that are the same shape turned round.
A complex is optically active when it cannot be placed on top of its mirror image. Complexes with chelating ligands, such as three en rings round a metal, often meet this test. The two mirror-image forms rotate plane-polarised light by equal angles in opposite directions, and an equal mixture of the two has no rotation.
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