Number of complexes from the following with eneven number of unpaired "d" electrons is ________.
[V(H2O)6]3+, [Cr(H2O)6] 2+, [Fe(H2O)6]3+ , [Ni(H2O)6]3+ , [Cu(H2O)6]2+
(Given atomic numbers : V = 23, Cr = 24, Fe = 26, Ni = 28, Cu = 29]
Correct Answer :
2
Solution :
The correct answer is 2 (Option 1).
To find the number of complexes with an even number of unpaired d electrons (noting the typo "eneven" in the question which refers to "even"), we determine the oxidation state, electronic configuration, and number of unpaired electrons (n) for the central metal ion in each complex. Since H2O is a weak field ligand, it does not cause pairing of electrons (resulting in high-spin complexes).
1. [V(H2O)6]3+
The atomic number of V is 23. The configuration of neutral V is [Ar] 3d3 4s2.
In [V(H2O)6]3+, the vanadium ion is in the +3 oxidation state:
V3+ = [Ar] 3d2
The distribution in the t2g and eg orbitals is:
The number of unpaired electrons is:
(Even)
2. [Cr(H2O)6]2+
The atomic number of Cr is 24. The configuration of neutral Cr is [Ar] 3d5 4s1.
In [Cr(H2O)6]2+, the chromium ion is in the +2 oxidation state:
Cr2+ = [Ar] 3d4
Since H2O is a weak field ligand, the distribution is:
The number of unpaired electrons is:
(Even)
3. [Fe(H2O)6]3+
The atomic number of Fe is 26. The configuration of neutral Fe is [Ar] 3d6 4s2.
In [Fe(H2O)6]3+, the iron ion is in the +3 oxidation state:
Fe3+ = [Ar] 3d5
With H2O as a weak field ligand, the distribution is:
The number of unpaired electrons is:
(Odd)
4. [Ni(H2O)6]3+
The atomic number of Ni is 28. The configuration of neutral Ni is [Ar] 3d8 4s2.
In [Ni(H2O)6]3+, the nickel ion is in the +3 oxidation state:
Ni3+ = [Ar] 3d7
With H2O as a weak field ligand, the distribution is:
The number of unpaired electrons is:
(Odd)
5. [Cu(H2O)6]2+
The atomic number of Cu is 29. The configuration of neutral Cu is [Ar] 3d10 4s1.
In [Cu(H2O)6]2+, the copper ion is in the +2 oxidation state:
Cu2+ = [Ar] 3d9
The distribution is:
The number of unpaired electrons is:
(Odd)
Comparing the values, the complexes with an even number of unpaired electrons are [V(H2O)6]3+ (n = 2) and [Cr(H2O)6]2+ (n = 4).
Thus, the number of complexes with an even number of unpaired d electrons is 2.
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