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Chapter 23: Problem 44

Is a linkage isomer a type of constitutional isomer or stereoisomer? Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
A linkage isomer is a type of constitutional isomer.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Isomer Definitions

First, understand the two major types of isomers: constitutional isomers and stereoisomers. Constitutional isomers have the same molecular formula but differ in the connectivity of atoms. Stereoisomers have the same molecular formula and connectivity but differ in the spatial arrangement of atoms.
02

Define Linkage Isomerism

Linkage isomerism occurs when a ligand can coordinate to a metal center through two different atoms, leading to isomers that differ in the connectivity of the ligand to the metal.
03

Determine the Type of Isomerism

Since linkage isomers differ in the atom of the ligand that is bonded to the metal center, they have different connectivity of atoms. Therefore, they are a type of constitutional isomer.
04

Conclusion

Given the properties of linkage isomers, it is clear that linkage isomerism is a type of constitutional isomerism.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Constitutional Isomers
Constitutional isomers are molecules that share the same molecular formula but have different connectivity among their atoms. This means that even though the atoms are the same in number and type, they are connected differently in each isomer.
For example:
  • Butane (C4H10) has two constitutional isomers: n-butane and isobutane.
  • In n-butane, the carbon atoms are connected in a straight chain.
  • In isobutane, the carbon atoms form a branched chain.
Linkage isomerism is a type of constitutional isomerism. This occurs when a ligand can attach to a metal center through two different atoms. An example is the nitrate ligand, NO2, which can coordinate through the nitrogen atom (nitrito-N) or through an oxygen atom (nitrito-O), forming two different linkage isomers with distinct connectivity.
Stereoisomers
Stereoisomers have the same molecular formula and the same order of atom connections, but differ in the spatial arrangement of atoms. Because of this difference in space, stereoisomers can have very different physical and chemical properties from each other.
There are two main types of stereoisomers:
  • Enantiomers – These are non-superimposable mirror images of each other. An example is the left hand and right hand.

  • Diastereomers – These are not mirror images and are not superimposable, such as geometrical isomers (cis-trans isomerism).
Unlike constitutional isomers, stereoisomers do not differ in the connectivity of atoms. Instead, they only differ in how these atoms are oriented in space. Because linkage isomers differ by the atom connected to the metal center, they fall under constitutional isomers and not stereoisomers.
Ligand Coordination
Ligands are ions or molecules that can donate a pair of electrons to a metal atom or ion to form a coordination complex. The way in which a ligand bonds to the metal center is called ligand coordination.
Ligands can be classified based on:
  • The number of donor atoms they have available for bonding. For instance, a monodentate ligand has only one donor atom, while a bidentate ligand has two.

  • How they attach to the metal center. This can be critical in the formation of linkage isomers. A ligand like NO2 may attach through nitrogen or oxygen, leading to isomerism.
Understanding ligand coordination is essential to grasping the concepts of linkage and constitutional isomerism. When a ligand switches the atom through which it is bonded to the metal center, it forms linkage isomers, which belong to the broader category of constitutional isomers due to their difference in connectivity.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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

(a) Explain the major difference between the number of oxidation states of most transition elements and that of most maingroup elements. (b) Why is the +2 oxidation state so common among transition elements? (c) What is valence- state electronegativity? Is the electronegativity of Cr different in \(\mathrm{CrO}, \mathrm{Cr}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3},\) and \(\mathrm{CrO}_{3} ?\) Explain.

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When neptunium (Np) and plutonium (Pu) were discovered, the periodic table did not include the actinides, so these elements were placed in Groups \(7 \mathrm{~B}(7)\) and \(8 \mathrm{~B}(8) .\) When americium (Am) and curium (Cm) were synthesized, they were placed in Groups \(8 \mathrm{~B}(9)\) and \(8 \mathrm{~B}(10) .\) However, during chemical isolation procedures, Glenn Seaborg and his colleagues, who had synthesized these elements, could not find their compounds among other compounds of members of the same groups, which led Seaborg to suggest they were part of a new inner transition series. (a) How do the electron configurations of these elements support Seaborg's suggestion? (b) The highest fluorides of \(\mathrm{Np}\) and \(\mathrm{Pu}\) are hexafluorides, and the highest fluoride of uranium is also the hexafluoride. How does this chemical evidence support the placement of \(\mathrm{Np}\) and \(\mathrm{Pu}\) as inner transition elements rather than transition elements?
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