Total number of unpaired electrons in the complex ions and is

Question

Total number of unpaired electrons in the complex ions  and  is

Canvas Classes · Accepted Answer

Strategy:
 Analyze the d-electron configurations based on the central metal's oxidation state and the strength of the accompanying ligands.

Step 1: Analyze 
-  has a  configuration.
- Ammonia () acts as a strong field ligand with .
- This forces all 6 electrons to pair up in the lower  orbitals ().
- Unpaired electrons = 0.

Step 2: Analyze 
-  has a  configuration.
- Chloride () is a weak field ligand, forming a tetrahedral complex ().
- The 8 electrons are distributed as .
- Unpaired electron

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