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Isomerism

Complex ions exhibit geometric or E-Z isomerism and optical isomerism. Cis-Trans isomerism is a special case of E-Z isomerism. Cis-Trans isomerism occurs if there are two different types of ligand e.g. [Pt(NH3)2Cl2] is a square planar molecule that has both cis- and trans- forms. Geometric isomerism also occurs in octahedral complexes if there are two types of ligands or 2 bidentate ligands with 2 monodentate ligands.Optical isomerism occurs in octahedral complexes with three bidentate ligands, or two bidentate and two monodentate ligands in the cis arrangement, as two enantiomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other will be formed.

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Specification: OCR Chemistry A (H432), A-level, 5.3.1 Transition elements. Topic: Transition Metals.

Key terms in this lesson

E-Z isomerism
A type of stereoisomerism arising from restricted rotation about a double bond, in which the isomers are distinguished using the priority of the groups attached.
complex ion
A metal ion surrounded by co-ordinately (dative covalently) bonded ligands.
octahedral complex
A complex ion with a co-ordination number of six, in which the ligands are arranged symmetrically around the central metal ion.
bidentate ligand
A ligand that can donate two pairs of electrons, forming two co-ordinate bonds with the central metal ion.
monodentate ligand
A ligand that can donate only one pair of electrons, forming one co-ordinate bond with the central metal ion.

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