JEE Main · 2021mediumCORD-202

Indicate the complex/complex ion which did NOT show any geometrical isomerism:

Coordination Compounds · Class 12 · JEE Main Previous Year Question

Question

Indicate the complex/complex ion which did NOT show any geometrical isomerism:

Options
  1. a

    [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+[\mathrm{Co(NH_3)_4Cl_2}]^+

  2. b

    [Co(NH3)3(NO2)3][\mathrm{Co(NH_3)_3(NO_2)_3}]

  3. c

    [Co(CN)5(NC)]3[\mathrm{Co(CN)_5(NC)}]^{3-}

  4. d

    [CoCl2(en)2][\mathrm{CoCl_2(en)_2}]

Correct Answerc

[Co(CN)5(NC)]3[\mathrm{Co(CN)_5(NC)}]^{3-}

Detailed Solution

🧠 Find the One Without Geometric Isomers

Octahedral MA5BMA_5B has no cis/trans isomers (all five A positions equivalent).

🗺️ Evaluate Each

| Complex | Type | Geometric isomers? | |---|---|---| | [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+[\mathrm{Co(NH_3)_4 Cl_2}]^+ | MA4B2MA_4B_2 | ✓ cis/trans | | [Co(NH3)3(NO2)3][\mathrm{Co(NH_3)_3(NO_2)_3}] | MA3B3MA_3B_3 | ✓ fac/mer | | [Co(CN)5(NC)]3[\mathrm{Co(CN)_5(NC)}]^{3-} | MA5BMA_5B | ✗ none | | [CoCl2(en)2][\mathrm{CoCl_2(en)_2}] | M(AA)2B2M(AA)_2 B_2 | ✓ cis/trans |

The CN⁻ vs NC⁻ distinction in [Co(CN)5(NC)]3[\mathrm{Co(CN)_5(NC)}]^{3-} is linkage (not geometric) — and even then, with 5 CN-bonded and 1 NC-bonded, all 5 CN positions are equivalent: no geometric isomers.

Linkage ≠ Geometric

Linkage isomerism arises from ambidentate ligands binding through different atoms. Geometric isomerism arises from different spatial arrangements of the same ligand set. The question asks specifically about geometric isomers.

⚠️ Identify the Ligand Type

CN⁻ = cyanido (C-bonded). NC⁻ = isocyanido (N-bonded). Different linkage, but in MA5BMA_5B no geometric isomers exist regardless.

Answer: (3) [Co(CN)5(NC)]3\boxed{\text{Answer: (3) } [\mathrm{Co(CN)_5(NC)}]^{3-}}

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