Question
Chemistry Question on coordination compounds
Octahedral complexes of copper(II) undergo structural distortion (Jahn-Teller). Which one of the given copper(II) complexes will show the maximum structural distortion?
(en – ethylenediamine;H2N−CH2−CH2−NH2)
A
[Cu(H2O)6]SO4
B
[Cu(en)(H2O)4]SO4
C
cis−[Cu(en)2Cl2]
D
trans−[Cu(en)2Cl2]
Answer
trans−[Cu(en)2Cl2]
Explanation
Solution
John teller distortion: Any non-linear compound remove its degeneracy to attain the stability.
Extent of John teller distortion depends upon metal ion as well as nature of ligand.
Stronger the ligand, more will be the John Teller distortion and more will be the stability.
Hence, Trans [Cu(en)2Cl2] will exhibit maximum John Teller distortion.
So, the correct option is (D): Trans - [Cu(en)2Cl2].