NEETChemistryCoordination Compounds
Consider the coordination compound Potassium trioxalatochromate(III). Which of the following correctly describes its ligand composition type and its optical activity?
Options
- AHeteroleptic and optically inactive
- BHeteroleptic and optically active
- CHomoleptic and optically inactive
- DHomoleptic and optically active
Correct answer
D. Homoleptic and optically active
Step-by-step solution
The chemical formula for Potassium trioxalatochromate(III) is K₃[Cr(C₂O₄)₃] . First, analyze the ligand composition: The coordination sphere [Cr(C₂O₄)₃]³⁻ contains only one type of ligand, which is the bidentate oxalate ion ( C₂O₄²⁻ ). Complexes with only one kind of donor group are classified as homoleptic. The presence of the counter ion (potassium) outside the coordination sphere does not make it heteroleptic. Second, analyze the optical activity: The complex is of the type [M(L-L)₃]^ n , where L-L is a symmetri