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Chapter 23: Q23.89P (page 1060)

Why are there both high-spin and low-spin octahedral complexes but only high-spin tetrahedral complexes?

Short Answer

Expert verified

There are both high-spin and low-spin octahedral complexes because ligands can approach both directly and between d orbitals and in tetrahedral complexes none of the d orbitals is directly pointed to approaching ligands.

Step by step solution

01

Octahedral complexes with low-spin and high-spin

Octahedral complexes:

- When strong-field ligands approach central metal ion, they are directly pointed to higher energyeg d orbitals, they cause big splitting energy and the low-spin complexes are created.

- When weak-field ligands approach central metal ion, they are pointed between the lower energyt2g d orbitals, they cause small splitting energy Δ<Epairingand the high-spin complexes are created.

02

Tetrahedral complexes with high spin

Tetrahedral complexes:

- When ligands approach the central metal ion, none of the d orbitals is directly pointed to them and the splitting energy is smaller than in octahedral complexes. There are only high-spin tetrahedral complexes because ∆is always smaller than E pairing (electrons fill t2gdorbitals).

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Question: Using the periodic table to locate each element, write theelectron configuration of (a) Os (b) Co (c) Ag.

Which of these ions cannot form both high- spin and low-spin octahedral complexes: (a) Mn3+;(b)Nb3+;(c)Ru3+;(d)role="math" localid="1663323480799" Ni2+

Question: (a) What behaviour distinguishes paramagnetic and diamagnetic substances?

(b) Why are paramagnetic ions common among transition elements but not main-group elements?

(c) Why are coloured solutions of metal ions common among transition elements but not main-group elements?

In what order are the metal ion and ligands given in the name of a complex ion?

What is the distinction between a weak-field ligand and a strong-field ligand? Give an example of each.
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