Final answer:
The two types of stereoisomerism in coordination compounds are geometric and optical. Geometric isomers differ in ligand arrangement, with cis/trans forms, while optical isomers are mirror images called enantiomers, affecting polarized light uniquely.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two types of stereoisomerism in coordination compounds are geometric and optical isomerism. Geometric isomers have different spatial arrangements of ligands around a central metal ion, with cis and trans forms being typical examples where ligands are either adjacent or opposite to each other, respectively. Optical isomers, on the other hand, are nonsuperimposable mirror images, also known as enantiomers. These play critical roles in biological systems and exhibit different behaviors when interacting with polarized light or other chiral entities.
Geometric isomerism is seen in compounds like cisplatin and transplatin, where the arrangement of ligands can result in significantly different biochemical properties. On the other hand, optical isomerism is evident in compounds such as [M(en)3]+, which interact differently with biological macromolecules like DNA.
Coordination compounds featuring these isomer types are found both in natural systems, like the binding of metal ions to enzymes, and in technological applications, such as in the formulation of certain pharmaceuticals.