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Which of the following compounds can exhibit fac-mer isomerism?

a. [cu(co)5cl]⁺
b. [fe(nh₃)₂(h₂o)₄]²⁺
c. [co(h₂o)₃(co)₃]³⁺
d. [fe(co)5no₂]²⁺
e. [cr(h₂o)4br₂]⁺

User GuiFalourd
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Out of the given compounds, only compound (c) [Co(H2O)3(CO)3]³⁺ can exhibit fac-mer isomerism.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to determine which of the given compounds can exhibit fac-mer isomerism, we need to consider the coordination number and geometry of each compound.

Fac-mer isomerism occurs when a complex has three different ligands. The fac isomer has three identical ligands arranged in a face of a meridional plane, while the mer isomer has two identical ligands arranged in one plane and the third different ligand arranged in a different plane.

Out of the given compounds, only compound (c) [Co(H2O)3(CO)3]³⁺ can exhibit fac-mer isomerism. This is because it has three different ligands: three aqua ligands (H2O) and three carbonyl ligands (CO). The three aqua ligands can be arranged in a face of a meridional plane, while the three carbonyl ligands can be arranged in a different plane.

User Fnery
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