A reaction of cobalt(III) chloride and ethylenediamine in a 1:2 mole ratio generates two isomeric products A (violet-coloured) and B (green-coloured). A can show optical activity, but B is optically i

Question

A reaction of cobalt(III) chloride and ethylenediamine in a 1:2 mole ratio generates two isomeric products A (violet-coloured) and B (green-coloured). A can show optical activity, but B is optically inactive. What type of isomers do A and B represent?

Canvas Classes · Accepted Answer

Strategy:
 Trace the reaction synthesis, analyze the properties of the resulting stereoisomer pair to classify them.

Step 1: Reaction and isomerism type
Reacting Cobalt(III) chloride with ethylenediamine (en) in a 1:2 ratio forms .
This complex exists in two distinct stable forms with different colors (violet and green), indicating different spatial arrangements of the atoms without changing connectivity—these are geometrical isomers.

Step 2: Confirming with optical properties
- Isomer A (viol

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