Final answer:
The coordination compound [Ni(CO)2(NH3)2]2+ can exhibit cis-trans isomerism because it contains two types of ligands (CO and NH3), each present in two copies, allowing different spatial arrangements. Option a is the correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which of the following compounds can exhibit cis-trans isomerism. Among the listed coordination compounds, cis-trans isomerism occurs in compounds with at least two of the same type of ligands in a geometrical arrangement that allows for different spatial positioning of these ligands. We are looking for complexes with ambidentate or non-identical ligands arranged around a central metal in a way that can lead to isomers with different spatial arrangements of these identical ligands.
Looking at the options presented:
- [Ni(CO)2(NH3)2]2+ - This complex can exhibit cis-trans isomerism as it contains two of the same type of ligands (CO and NH3), allowing for different spatial arrangements.
- [MnClBr3]2- - This complex cannot exhibit cis-trans isomerism as it lacks at least two identical ligands.
- [Fe(CO)5NO2]2+ - This compound cannot exhibit cis-trans isomerism as it does not have identical ligands that can be arranged differently spatially.
- [Cr(H2O)6]3+ - This compound does not have the requisite identical ligands for cis-trans isomerism as all ligands are the same (H2O).
- [Cu(CO)5Cl]+ - Similar to [Fe(CO)5NO2]2+, this complex does not have identical ligands in positions that could lead to different spatial arrangements.
The correct option for the compound that can exhibit cis-trans isomerism is [Ni(CO)2(NH3)2]2+, which can indeed have such isomers due to the presence of two identical groups that can be arranged differently around the central metal ion.