A square planar palladium(II) complex has the type MA₂BC, with two identical ligands A and two…
Contributed by StemPy LabTry it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A square planar palladium(II) complex has the type , with two identical ligands A and two different ligands B and C. A second complex has four different ligands, . Find the number of geometrical isomers of each.
Need a reminder? The key ideaShow
Write the complex as trans pairs. The same pairs mean the same geometrical isomer. For monodentate ligands a mirror plane exists if one pair is two identical ligands or two pairs are the same. A ring takes two cis corners. Stereoisomers = geometrical isomers + chiral isomers.
The worked solution
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Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Given. Four ligands on the corners of a square, which form two trans pairs.
Plan. List the distinct sets of two pairs for each type.
Step 1. . The sets are and . That is 2 isomers: the two A ligands are trans or cis.
Step 2. . The sets are , and . That is 3 isomers.
Check. A flat complex lies in its own mirror plane, so none of these is chiral. The stereoisomer counts are the same, 2 and 3.
Answer: 2 isomers and 3 isomers.
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