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UPSC Civil Services (Mains)

Chemistry optional

  • 2 papers
  • 250 marks each
  • 3 h per paper
  • 5 of 8 questions, Q1 and Q5 compulsory

Paper I covers physical and inorganic chemistry.

UPSC Civil Services (Mains), Chemistry optional · 2024 · Paper I

Q5(c). IUPAC names of five complexes

Question

Write the IUPAC nomenclature of the following complexes: (i) Na₂[ZnCl₄] (ii) [PtCl₆]²⁻ (iii) [Pt(py)₄][PtCl₄] (iv) [(H₃N)₄Co(μ-NH₂)(μ-OH)Co(NH₃)₄]⁴⁺ [structure with NH₂ and OH bridges given in the paper] (v) Ni(CO)₄

Answer in brief

Ligands come first in alphabetical order and the metal follows with its oxidation number, a complex anion ending in -ate: e.g. sodium tetrachloridozincate(II), hexachloridoplatinate(IV) ion, tetracarbonylnickel(0).

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Topic notes: Werner theory, isomerism, IUPAC names and valence bond theory of complexes, with every Civil Services, IFoS and Geo-Scientist PYQ →

CoversIUPAC nomenclaturecoordination compoundsbridging ligandsMagnus's green salttetracarbonylnickel

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