NEETChemistryCoordination Compounds
Consider the geometrical isomers of the octahedral complex [ Ru(H ₂ O )₃ Cl ₃] . Which of the following statements regarding its isomers is incorrect?
Options
- ABoth the facial and meridional isomers of this complex are chiral and exhibit optical isomerism.
- BIn the facial isomer, three identical ligands occupy adjacent positions at the corners of an octahedral face.
- CIn the meridional isomer, three identical ligands are arranged around the meridian of the octahedron.
- DIn the facial isomer, the bond angle between any two identical ligands is 90^ .
Correct answer
A. Both the facial and meridional isomers of this complex are chiral and exhibit optical isomerism.
Step-by-step solution
The complex [ Ru(H ₂ O )₃ Cl ₃] is an octahedral complex of the type [MA₃B₃] , which exhibits facial (fac) and meridional (mer) isomerism. In the facial isomer, three identical ligands occupy adjacent positions at the corners of an octahedral face, making all bond angles between identical ligands 90^ . In the meridional isomer, three identical ligands are arranged around the meridian of the octahedron. Both the facial and meridional isomers possess at least one plane of symmetry. Therefore, they are achiral (optica