Isomerism Flashcards
(20 cards)
What are isomers?
Compounds with the same chemical formula but different structures
Isomers have different physical and chemical properties due to their distinct structures.
What are the two main types of isomerism in metal complexes?
Structural isomers and stereoisomers
Structural isomers involve different bonds, while stereoisomers have identical bonds.
What is an ionization isomer?
Isomers related by interchange of an ion
What distinguishes hydration isomers?
The number of water molecules coordinated to a metal
Example: CrCl3.6H2O has three hydrate isomers with different colors and amounts of AgCl precipitated.
What are linkage isomers?
Isomers where ligands can link to a metal through different atoms
What are coordination isomers?
Isomers arising from different distributions of ligands in salts containing metals
What defines geometric isomers?
Different arrangements of ligands around a metal
Geometric isomers can vary based on the geometry of the metal complex.
How many isomers are possible for an octahedral complex with the formula MA3B3?
2 isomers
This is due to the arrangement of ligands around the central metal.
What is optical isomerism?
Isomerism distinguished by the direction of rotation of plane-polarized light
Measured using a polarimeter.
What type of ligands can create chiral complexes in octahedral structures?
Bidentate ligands
Examples include C2O42− and ethylenediamine (en).
In a tetrahedral complex, how many different groups are needed to observe optical isomerism?
4 different groups
This is similar to organic compounds.
What is the maximum number of possible isomers for a complex with the formula MABCDEF?
15 possible isomers
This complexity arises from the various arrangements of the six different ligands.
What is the difference between cis and trans isomers?
Cis has similar groups on the same side, trans has them on opposite sides
This applies to square planar and octahedral complexes.
What is the significance of color in distinguishing hydrate isomers?
Different colors indicate different hydrate forms
This can affect the amount of precipitate formed in reactions.
Example of an ionization isomer
Example: [Co(NH3)5Br]SO4 and [Co(NH3)5SO4]Br.
Give an example of coordination isomers?
[Co(NH3)6][Cr(CN)6] and [Cr(NH3)6][Co(CN)6].
Give an example of a linkage isomer?
NO2 can link through oxygen or nitrogen.
Give an example of a hydration isomer?
Three forms:
[Cr(H2O)6]Cl3 (violet), [CrCl(H2O)5]Cl2·H2O (green-grey)[CrCl2(H2O)4]Cl·2H2O (bright green)
Give an example of a geometric isomer?
cis-2-butene and trans-2-butene
Give an example of a optical isomer?
D-lactic acid, L-lactic acid
