QuestionCoordination / optical activity
Consider the following complex ions:
- [Co(en)₃]³⁺
- cis-[Co(en)₂Cl₂]⁺
- trans-[Co(en)₂Cl₂]⁺
Which of the complex ion(s) given above show(s) optical activity?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2
- (c) 1 and 3
- (d) 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 1 and 2
1 ✔ [Co(en)₃]³⁺ (M(AA)₃) has Δ and Λ forms. 2 ✔ cis-[Co(en)₂Cl₂]⁺ is chiral. 3 ✘ trans has a mirror plane through Cl–Co–Cl. → 1 and 2 → (b).