The one that will show optical activity is: (en = ethane-1,2-diamine)
(Options show structural diagrams of various Co complexes with en ligands)

Question

Canvas Classes · Accepted Answer

Strategy:
 Identify the chiral complex from common geometric isomer types containing bidentate ligands. Optical activity requires a lack of improper rotation axes (no mirror planes).

Step 1: Survey common configurations
- The trans- isomer possesses a mirror plane comprising the Co atom and the purely equatorial en rings. It is achiral.
- The cis- isomer restricts the bidentate ligands into a twisted, propeller-like orientation. This asymmetric arrangement ensures no plane of symmetry exists. I

More questions from Coordination Compounds