JEE Main · 2023hardCORD-028

The correct IUPAC name of [Cr(NH3)3(H2O)3]Cl3 is:

Coordination Compounds · Class 12 · JEE Main Previous Year Question

Question

The correct IUPAC name of [Cr(NH3)3(H2O)3]Cl3\mathrm{[Cr(NH_3)_3(H_2O)_3]Cl_3} is:

Options
  1. a

    Triamminetriaquachromium(III) chloride

  2. b

    Triaquatriamminechromium(III) chloride

  3. c

    Triamminetriaquachromium(III) trichloride

  4. d

    Triaquatriamminechromium(III) trichloride

Correct Answera

Triamminetriaquachromium(III) chloride

Detailed Solution

🧠 Where the Multipliers Go

For [Cr(NH3)3(H2O)3]3+Cl3[\mathrm{Cr(NH_3)_3(H_2O)_3}]^{3+}\,\mathrm{Cl_3}^-:

  • Inside the bracket: ammine (×3) and aqua (×3). Use tri- for both.
  • Outside the bracket: three chloride counter-ions. Modern IUPAC drops the multiplier on the outer ion → just "chloride", not "trichloride".

🗺️ Apply It

Alphabetical sort. ammine (a) vs aqua (a) → second letter: 'm' vs 'q' → ammine first, then aqua.

Multipliers. 3 × ammine → "triammine". 3 × aqua → "triaqua".

Oxidation state of Cr. x+3(0)+3(0)=+3x=+3x + 3(0) + 3(0) = +3 \Rightarrow x = +3. So Cr(III).

Counter-ion. Three outer Cl⁻ → "chloride" (no "tri-").

Stitched: Triamminetriaquachromium(III) chloride — option (1).

The Counter-Ion Stripping Rule

Whenever you see two or more identical counter-ions outside the bracket, strip the multiplier and write the bare counter-ion name. So Cl3\mathrm{Cl_3} outside → "chloride", (SO4)2\mathrm{(SO_4)_2} → "sulfate", etc. The metal's oxidation state already tells the reader how many counter-ions are needed.

⚠️ The Fake "Trichloride"

Options (3) and (4) write "trichloride" — preserving the multiplier on the outer chlorides. That's the legacy convention. Modern (post-2005) IUPAC drops it, so options (3) and (4) are filtered out instantly.

Answer: (1) Triamminetriaquachromium(III) chloride\boxed{\text{Answer: (1) Triamminetriaquachromium(III) chloride}}

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