Question Details

The correct sequence of ligands in the order of decreasing field strength is :

Options

A

C O > H 2 O > F > S 2

B

O H > F > N H 3 > C N

C

N C S > E D T A 4 > C N > C O

D

S 2 > O H > E D T A 4 > C O

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option A

C O > H 2 O > F > S 2

CO > H2O > F- > S2-

Solution :

The correct answer is:
C O > H 2 O > F - > S 2 -

Explanation:
The strength of ligands is determined by the spectrochemical series, which is an experimentally determined order of ligand field strengths based on the crystal field splitting energy (Δo) they produce in coordination complexes.

The spectrochemical series arranged in order of increasing field strength (from weak field to strong field ligands) is:
I - < Br - < S 2 - < SCN - < Cl - < N 3 - < F - < OH - < C 2 O 4 2 - < H 2 O < NCS - < EDTA 4 - < NH 3 < en < CN - < CO

To arrange the given ligands in order of decreasing field strength, we reverse their order in the spectrochemical series:
1. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a strong field, π-acid ligand and has the highest field strength among the options.
2. Water (H2O) is a neutral oxygen donor ligand, behaving as a weak-to-intermediate field ligand.
3. Fluoride (F-) is a weak field halide ligand.
4. Sulfide (S2-) is a very weak field donor and lies near the beginning of the series, having the lowest field strength of the group.

Therefore, the decreasing order of field strength is:
C O > H 2 O > F - > S 2 -

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