Q.Match the complex ions given in Column I with the hybridisation and number of unpaired electrons given in Column II and assign the correct code:
Column I (Complex ion):
A. [Cr(H2O)6]3+
B. [Co(CN)4]2−
C. [Ni(NH3)6]2+
D. [MnF6]4−
Column II (Hybridisation, number of unpaired electrons):
- dsp2, 1
- sp3d2, 5
- d2sp3, 3
- sp3, 4
- sp3d2, 2
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Crystal Field Splitting
Crystal Field Splitting: From Intuition to Precision
Imagine you are a negatively charged electron sitting on a metal ion. All around you, the space is perfectly spherical — every direction feels the same. Your energy depends only on how far you are from the nucleus, not on which way you face.
Now imagine that six negative ions (or the negative ends of polar molecules) march in from the x, y, and z axes and stop close to you. Suddenly, the space around you is no longer uniform. If you try to move straight toward one of these approaching ions, you feel a strong repulsion — that path costs extra energy. If you move between the axes (say, along a diagonal), you feel less repulsion because you are farther from the incoming charges.
This is the core intuition: when ligands approach a metal ion, they break the spherical symmetry of the space around the metal. Different directions in space are no longer equivalent. Electrons in orbitals that point directly at the ligands get pushed up in energy; electrons in orbitals that point between the ligands stay lower.
The Precise Statement
Crystal Field Splitting is the splitting of degenerate d orbitals of a transition metal ion into two or more sets of different energies, caused by the electrostatic repulsion between the metal's d electrons and the negative charge (or dipole) of surrounding ligands.
For the most common geometry — octahedral — here is what happens:
- Six ligands sit at the corners of an octahedron, along the +x, −x, +y, −y, +z, −z axes.
- The dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point their lobes directly along these axes. These are the eg set. They feel maximum repulsion → higher energy.
- The dxy, dxz, and dyz orbitals point their lobes between the axes (into the octahedral faces). These are the t2g set. They feel less repulsion → lower energy.
The energy gap between these two sets is denoted by Δo (or 10Dq). The t2g set drops by 0.4Δo and the eg set rises by 0.6Δo, keeping the average energy unchanged (the "barycentre" rule).
The labels eg and t2g come from group theory — they describe how the orbitals transform under the symmetry operations of an octahedron. You do not need to memorise the derivation, but the notation is standard in every exam.
Why This Matters
Crystal field splitting explains three things you will see repeatedly:
- Colour — electrons can jump from t2g to eg by absorbing visible light. The gap Δo determines the colour you see.
- Magnetism — if Δo is large, electrons pair up in the lower t2g set (low spin). If Δo is small, electrons spread out (high spin). This changes the number of unpaired electrons. …
Why this formula?
Crystal Field Splitting: Why the Energy Splitting Occurs
Crystal Field Theory (CFT) explains how the d-orbitals of a transition metal ion split in energy when placed in an electrostatic field created by surrounding ligands (anions or polar molecules). The key result is that five degenerate d-orbitals split into two or more sets with different energies. Let's understand why this happens.
1. The Starting Point: Degenerate d-Orbitals
In a free transition metal ion (no ligands), all five d-orbitals have the same energy (degenerate). Their shapes are:
- dxy, dxz, dyz — lobes lie between the x, y, z axes (called t2g set in octahedral symmetry)
- dx2−y2, dz2 — lobes point directly along the x, y, z axes (called eg set)
Key idea: The spatial orientation of each orbital determines how it interacts with approaching ligands.
2. The Octahedral Case: Why eg Orbitals Are Higher in Energy
Imagine six ligands approaching along the +x, –x, +y, –y, +z, –z axes (octahedral geometry).
What happens to dx2−y2 and dz2?
- Their lobes point directly at the ligands.
- The negatively charged ligands repel the electron density in these orbitals.
- This repulsion raises the energy of these orbitals — they become less stable (higher energy).
What happens to dxy, dxz, dyz?
- Their lobes point between the axes (e.g., dxy lobes lie in the xy-plane but at 45° to x and y).
- They avoid the ligands — less repulsion.
- Their energy is lower than the eg set.
The Splitting Pattern
Δoct=E(eg)−E(t2g)
Where:
- E(eg) = energy of dx2−y2 and dz2 (higher)
- E(t2g) = energy of dxy, dxz, dyz (lower)
- Δoct is called the crystal field splitting energy (CFSE)
Why the name? The eg orbitals are "doubly degenerate" (2 orbitals), t2g are "triply degenerate" (3 orbitals). The letters come from group theory symmetry labels.
3. The Energy Conservation Rule
The total energy of all five d-orbitals must remain constant (no energy is created or destroyed). So:
- The center of gravity (average energy) of the split set equals the original degenerate energy.
- For octahedral splitting:
- 2 eg orbitals go up by +0.6Δoct each
- 3 t2g orbitals go down by −0.4Δoct each
Check:
2×(+0.6Δ)+3×(−0.4Δ)=1.2Δ−1.2Δ=0
This conservation of energy is a fundamental constraint — the splitting is not arbitrary.
4. The Tetrahedral Case: Why It's Opposite and Smaller
In a tetrahedral complex, four ligands approach from alternate corners of a cube. The axes are different:
- The dxy, dxz, dyz orbitals now point closer to the ligands (more repulsion).
- The dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point away from ligands (less repulsion).
Result:
- e set ( dx2−y2, dz2 ) — lower energy
- t2 set ( dxy, dxz, dyz ) — higher energy
The splitting is inverted compared to octahedral.
Magnitude:
Δtet≈94Δoct
Why smaller?
- Only 4 ligands (vs. 6) → less total repulsion.
- Ligands are not directly along axes → weaker interaction. …
Concept: Crystal Field Splitting – the number of unpaired electrons depends on whether the ligand is strong-field (low-spin) or weak-field (high-spin), which determines the hybridisation.
Step 1 – A: [Cr(H2O)6]3+
Cr in +3: [Ar]3d3. H2O is weak field → high-spin d3 in t2g3. Hybridisation: d2sp3 (octahedral). Unpaired electrons: 3.
Matches 3.
Step 2 – B: [Co(CN)4]2−
Co in +2: [Ar]3d7. CN− is very strong field → low-spin. For tetrahedral, strong field still gives e4t23 → 1 unpaired electron. Hybridisation: dsp2 (square planar, common for d7 low-spin with strong CN).
Matches 1.
Step 3 – C: [Ni(NH3)6]2+ …
The key is to determine the oxidation state, electron configuration, and ligand field strength for each complex, then decide the hybridisation and count unpaired electrons. The correct matching is A-3, B-1, C-5, D-2.
Let’s unpack each complex one by one. The central idea is Crystal Field Theory — ligands create an electric field that splits the d-orbitals into two energy levels. Strong-field ligands (like CN⁻, NH₃) cause a large splitting, forcing electrons to pair up in lower orbitals (low spin). Weak-field ligands (like H₂O, F⁻) cause a small splitting, so electrons occupy all orbitals singly first (high spin). The hybridisation depends on how many empty orbitals are available after pairing.
1. Complex A: [Cr(H2O)6]3+
- Oxidation state: Water is neutral, so Cr must be +3. Cr atomic number = 24, so Cr³⁺ has 24−3=21 electrons. Electronic configuration of Cr: [Ar]3d54s1. Removing three electrons (first from 4s, then two from 3d) gives Cr³⁺: [Ar]3d3.
- Ligand field: H₂O is a weak-field ligand (small splitting). So electrons remain unpaired as much as possible. With three d-electrons, they occupy three separate t₂g orbitals (Hund’s rule). No pairing occurs.
- Hybridisation: The complex is octahedral (six ligands). The metal uses two d-orbitals (from inner 3d), one s, and three p orbitals — that’s d2sp3 hybridisation. Since the d-orbitals used are from the inner shell (3d), it’s inner orbital complex.
- Unpaired electrons: Three unpaired electrons.
A common mistake is to think Cr³⁺ has 4s electrons left. Always remove 4s electrons first when forming cations.
So A matches with 3 (d2sp3, 3).
2. Complex B: [Co(CN)4]2−
- Oxidation state: CN⁻ is −1 each, four of them give −4. Overall charge is −2, so Co must be +2. Co atomic number = 27, Co²⁺ has 27−2=25 electrons. Co: [Ar]3d74s2, remove two 4s electrons → [Ar]3d7.
- Ligand field: CN⁻ is a very strong-field ligand. It causes large splitting, forcing electrons to pair up. For a d⁷ system in a strong field, the configuration becomes (t2g)6(eg)1 — six electrons paired in t₂g, one in e_g. That gives one unpaired electron.
- Hybridisation: [Co(CN)4]2− is a well-known exception to the usual four-coordinate geometry: because CN⁻ is such a strong-field ligand, the low-spin d7 configuration is stabilised as square planar rather than tetrahedral, using dsp2 hybridisation (dx2−y2 combined with one s and two p orbitals). This leaves one unpaired electron in another d-orbital.
- Unpaired electrons: One.
So B matches with 1 (dsp2, 1).
For [Co(CN)4]2−, remember it’s square planar, not tetrahedral — a classic exam trap. The strong field of CN⁻ overrides the usual tetrahedral preference for four-coordinate Co²⁺.
3. Complex C: [Ni(NH3)6]2+
- Oxidation state: NH₃ is neutral, so Ni is +2. Ni atomic number = 28, Ni²⁺ has 28−2=26 electrons. Ni: [Ar]3d84s2, remove two 4s → [Ar]3d8. …
Method: Crystal Field Theory (CFT) + Electronic Configuration Approach
This method uses the oxidation state of the central metal ion, its d-electron count, the nature of the ligand (strong or weak field), and the resulting crystal field splitting to determine hybridisation and number of unpaired electrons.
Steps
-
Find oxidation state of the metal
Use the charge of the complex and known charges of ligands.
-
Determine d-electron count
From the electronic configuration of the metal in that oxidation state.
-
Classify ligands as strong or weak field
- Strong field (low spin): CN⁻, CO, NH₃ (for some metals)
- Weak field (high spin): H₂O, F⁻, Cl⁻, etc.
-
Apply crystal field splitting
- For octahedral complexes:
- Weak field → electrons fill all five d-orbitals singly first (Hund’s rule) → high spin
- Strong field → electrons pair up in lower t2g orbitals → low spin
- For tetrahedral complexes: always high spin (small splitting).
- For octahedral complexes:
-
Determine hybridisation
- Octahedral: sp3d2 (outer) or d2sp3 (inner)
- Square planar: dsp2
- Tetrahedral: sp3
-
Count unpaired electrons from the d-orbital filling.
Applying to each complex
A. [Cr(H2O)6]3+
- Oxidation state: Cr = +3
- d-count: Cr³⁺ = 3d3
- Ligand: H₂O (weak field)
- Splitting: Octahedral, weak field → all three electrons unpaired in t2g
- Hybridisation: d2sp3 (inner orbital, uses two 3d orbitals)
- Unpaired electrons: 3
- Match: 3 in Column II
B. [Co(CN)4]2−
- Oxidation state: Co = +2
- d-count: Co²⁺ = 3d7
- Ligand: CN⁻ (very strong field)
- Geometry: With CN⁻ this strong, [Co(CN)4]2− is actually square planar, not tetrahedral — the strong field favours maximum pairing, which square-planar geometry accommodates better than tetrahedral.
- Splitting: Square planar, low spin → electrons pair up, leaving one d-orbital singly occupied.
- Hybridisation: dsp2
- Unpaired electrons: 1
- Correct match: 1 (dsp2, 1)
C. [Ni(NH3)6]2+ …
✗ Mistake 1: Forgetting to check the oxidation state of the central metal ion
Why it happens:
Students jump straight to the electronic configuration of the neutral atom, without adjusting for charge.
Example:
For [Cr(H2O)6]3+, many write Cr as [Ar]3d54s1 and then get confused.
How to avoid:
Always find the oxidation state first.
- Cr in [Cr(H2O)6]3+: H₂O is neutral → Cr must be +3. Cr³⁺: remove 3 electrons → [Ar]3d3.
Now apply CFT:
- For a d3 ion, all three electrons occupy the three t2g orbitals singly (Hund's rule), regardless of ligand field strength — there are no eg electrons to pair up or displace.
- Unpaired electrons = 3.
- Hybridisation: since the eg orbitals stay empty for d3, the complex always uses the inner 3d orbitals — d2sp3 (inner orbital), never sp3d2.
✓ Correct match: A → 3 (d2sp3, 3 unpaired electrons).
✗ Mistake 2: Confusing tetrahedral vs square planar geometry
Why it happens:
For [Co(CN)4]2−, students see CN⁻ (strong field) and assume tetrahedral.
How to avoid:
-
CN⁻ is a strong field ligand → causes pairing.
-
Co in [Co(CN)4]2−:
CN⁻ is −1 each → total −4. Charge on complex is −2.
So Co must be +2.
Co²⁺: [Ar]3d7.
-
For 4-coordinate complexes:
- If strong field and d8 or d7 (low spin), geometry is often square planar (to maximise pairing).
- Square planar uses dsp2 hybridisation.
-
d7 with strong field:
Pairing occurs → 1 unpaired electron remains.
✓ Correct match: B → 1 (dsp2, 1).
✗ Mistake 3: Ignoring ligand field strength for Ni²⁺ complexes
Why it happens:
Students assume all octahedral Ni²⁺ complexes are sp3d2 with 2 unpaired electrons.
How to avoid:
-
Ni in [Ni(NH3)6]2+:
NH₃ is neutral → Ni is +2.
Ni²⁺: [Ar]3d8.
-
NH₃ is a moderate field ligand — but for Ni²⁺, it’s strong enough to cause pairing?
Actually, for d8 in octahedral field:
- Weak field: t2g6eg2 → 2 unpaired, sp3d2.
- Strong field: t2g6eg2 (same — because d8 has no choice: eg always has 2 electrons, both unpaired). So no pairing occurs regardless of ligand strength for d8 octahedral.
-
So: 2 unpaired electrons, sp3d2 hybridisation.
✓ Correct match: C → 5 (sp3d2, 2).
✗ Mistake 4: Misidentifying Mn oxidation state and spin state
Why it happens:
Students forget that F⁻ is a weak field ligand and assume pairing.
How to avoid:
-
[MnF6]4−:
F⁻ is −1 each → total −6. Complex charge is −4.
So Mn must be +2.
Mn²⁺: [Ar]3d5.
-
F⁻ is a weak field ligand → high spin. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 25 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.In which of the following, ratio of t2g and eg electrons is 3:2? (A) [FeF6]3− (B) [CoF6]3− (C) [Fe(CN)6]3− (D) [Co(NH3)6]3+
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests crystal field electron configurations for octahedral complexes; the answer is [FeF6]3−, the only complex with t2g:eg=3:2.
Concept and Intuition
The distribution of d-electrons between t2g and eg orbitals in an octahedral complex depends on both the metal's d-electron count and whether the ligand is weak-field (high spin, obeying Hund's rule across all 5 orbitals before pairing) or strong-field (low spin, filling t2g completely before touching eg).
Step-by-Step Solution
- [FeF6]3−: Fe3+ is d5. F− is a weak-field ligand ⇒ high spin: electrons fill all 5 orbitals singly first — t2g3eg2. Ratio = 3:2. Matches.
- [CoF6]3−: Co3+ is d6. F− weak field ⇒ high spin: t2g4eg2. Ratio = 4:2 = 2:1. Does not match.
- [Fe(CN)6]3−: Fe3+ is d5. CN− is a strong-field ligand ⇒ low spin: t2g5eg0. Ratio = 5:0. Does not match. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.Which of the following has maximum number of electrons in t2g orbitals? (A) [Fe(CN)6]3− (B) [FeCl6]3− (C) [CoCl6]3− (D) [Co(NH3)6]3+
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests crystal field theory: assign the metal oxidation state, its dn configuration, and whether the ligand is strong- or weak-field, then fill t2g/eg. [Co(NH3)6]3+, a low-spin d6 complex, has the maximum of 6 t2g electrons.
Concept and Intuition
In an octahedral field, d-orbitals split into the lower-energy t2g set (3 orbitals) and higher-energy eg set (2 orbitals). Whether electrons pair up in t2g first (low spin) or spread out with parallel spins across both sets first (high spin, Hund's rule) depends on whether the ligand is strong-field (large Δo, causes pairing) or weak-field (small Δo, favours unpaired spread). CN− and NH3 are strong-field ligands; Cl− is a weak-field ligand.
Step-by-Step Solution
- [Fe(CN)6]3−: Fe3+ is 3d5. CN− is strong field ⇒ low spin: all 5 electrons pack into t2g first ⇒t2g5eg0. t2g count = 5.
- [FeCl6]3−: Fe3+ is 3d5. Cl− is weak field ⇒ high spin: electrons fill all 5 d-orbitals singly first ⇒t2g3eg2. t2g count = 3. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-19-FN1 markMCQQ.Match the following. List – I (Complex ion) : (A) [MnCl6]3− (B) [Mn(CN)6]3− (C) [Fe(CN)6]4− (D) [CoF6]3− List – II (d-Electronic configuration) : (I) t2g6eg0 (II) t2g4eg2 (III) t2g3eg1 (IV) t2g4eg0 The correct answer is: (A) A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II (B) A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I (C) A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I (D) A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III
›Reveal solutionSolution
Determining the metal's oxidation state and d-electron count, then applying strong-field (low spin) vs weak-field (high spin) splitting for each ligand, matches A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II.
Concept and Intuition
For an octahedral complex, the d-electron filling pattern depends on (i) how many d-electrons the metal ion has, and (ii) whether the ligand is strong-field (causes pairing → low spin, maximises t2g filling before using eg) or weak-field (no forced pairing → high spin, electrons spread out following Hund's rule across both t2g and eg first). CN⁻ is a strong field ligand; Cl⁻ and F⁻ are weak field ligands.
Step-by-Step Solution
- A: [MnCl6]3− — Cl is −1 each (6×−1=−6); overall charge −3 ⟹ Mn is +3. Mn (Z=25): [Ar]3d54s2; Mn3+ removes the two 4s electrons and one 3d electron ⟹ d4. Cl⁻ is weak field ⟹ high spin: t2g3eg1 — matches (III).
- B: [Mn(CN)6]3− — same Mn3+, d4, but CN⁻ is strong field ⟹ low spin: electrons pair up in t2g before occupying eg: t2g4eg0 — matches (IV).
- C: [Fe(CN)6]4− — CN is −1 each (−6); overall charge −4 ⟹ Fe is +2. Fe (Z=26): [Ar]3d64s2; Fe2+ removes 4s2 ⟹ d6. CN⁻ strong field ⟹ low spin: t2g6eg0 — matches (I). …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.In which of the following sets, given species are not only diamagnetic in nature but also inner orbital complexes? I. [Ni(CN)4]2−,[Fe(CN)6]4− II. [Mn(CN)6]3−,[Fe(CN)6]3− III. [Co(en)3]3+,[Ni(CN)4]2− The correct answer is (only = only) (A) I, II only (B) I, III only (C) II, III only (D) I, II, III
›Reveal solutionSolution
"Diamagnetic + inner orbital" needs a strong-field ligand forcing all d-electrons to pair using (n−1)d orbitals. Sets I and III both satisfy this; set II fails because its complexes are paramagnetic.
Concept and Intuition
An inner orbital complex uses an (n−1)d orbital in its hybridisation (dsp2 for 4-coordinate square planar, or d2sp3 for 6-coordinate octahedral), which happens only with strong-field ligands (like CN−, en) that force pairing of the metal's d-electrons (low spin). Diamagnetism additionally requires that ALL electrons end up paired — so we must check the d-electron count of the actual oxidation state, not just "is the ligand strong field".
Step-by-Step Solution
- [Ni(CN)4]2−: Ni2+ is 3d8. With strong-field CN− in a 4-coordinate geometry, Ni2+ adopts square planar geometry via dsp2 hybridisation (using one 3d orbital) — this is the textbook example of an inner-orbital, diamagnetic complex (all 8 d-electrons pair up in the four lower-lying d-orbitals, leaving the dx2−y2 empty for the hybrid set).
- [Fe(CN)6]4−: Fe2+ is 3d6. Strong field CN− gives low-spin d2sp3 (inner orbital), t2g6eg0 — all 6 electrons paired → diamagnetic. Set I: both diamagnetic + inner orbital. ✓
- [Mn(CN)6]3−: Mn3+ is 3d4. Even low-spin (strong field, d2sp3, inner orbital), t2g4 across 3 orbitals means 3 are singly occupied first, and the 4th electron must pair into one of them: net 2 unpaired electrons → paramagnetic. This alone disqualifies set II (even without checking the second species). …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.Which of the following orders correctly represent the strength of ligands in the spectrochemical series? I. I−<Br−<S2−<SCN− II. H2O<NCS−<NH3<en III. Cl−<F−<N3−<OH− Correct answer is (A) I, II only (B) II, III only (C) I, III only (D) I, II, III
›Reveal solutionSolution
Orders I and II match the standard spectrochemical series; order III has F− and N3− swapped, so it is incorrect.
Concept and Intuition
The spectrochemical series ranks ligands by the crystal field splitting energy (Δ) they produce, from weak field to strong field. It is a memorised empirical order (from spectroscopic data) rather than something derivable from first principles, so each proposed order must be checked against the standard sequence.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Standard spectrochemical series (weak → strong): I−<Br−<S2−<SCN−<Cl−<N3−<F−<OH−<C2O42−<H2O<NCS−<CH3CN<py≈NH3<en<…<CN−≈CO.
- I: I−<Br−<S2−<SCN− — matches the series exactly in this stretch. Correct.
- II: H2O<NCS−<NH3<en — matches the series exactly (water is weaker than NCS⁻, which is weaker than ammonia, which is weaker than ethylenediamine). Correct. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.Match the following List-I (aquated ion) List-II (colour) A) Ni2+ I) violet B) Fe3+ II) blue C) Mn3+ III) yellow D) V4+ IV) red V) green Correct answer is (A) A-V, B-III, C-IV, D-II (B) A-IV, B-V, C-I, D-III (C) A-I, B-III, C-IV, D-V (D) A-V, B-III, C-I, D-II
›Reveal solutionSolution
Ni2+-green, Fe3+-yellow, Mn3+-violet, V4+-blue → option (D).
Concept and Intuition
Colours of hydrated transition-metal ions arise from d-d electronic transitions and are tabulated in NCERT. Matching each ion to its standard aqueous colour resolves the question.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Ni2+ (d8): green → V.
- Fe3+ (d5): yellow → III.
- Mn3+ (d4): violet → I.
- V4+, present as the vanadyl VO2+ ion (d1): blue → II. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.In which of the following, complex ions are not in correct order with respect to their magnitude of crystal field splitting ? (A) [Fe(H2O)6]3+>[FeF6]3− (B) [Fe(en)3]3+>[Fe(NCS)6]3− (C) [Fe(CN)6]4−>[Fe(H2O)6]2+ (D) [Fe(H2O)6]2+>[Fe(NH3)6]2+
›Reveal solutionSolution
Tests the spectrochemical series ordering of common ligands and its effect on crystal field splitting energy, Δ₀.
Concept and Intuition
Crystal field splitting energy Δ₀ for an octahedral complex depends chiefly on the field strength of the ligand (for a fixed metal ion/oxidation state). The spectrochemical series ranks ligands by this field strength, largely independent of the metal: I−<Br−<S2−<SCN−<Cl−<N3−,F−<OH−<C2O42−<H2O<NCS−<py,NH3<en<NO2−<CN−<CO.
Step-by-Step Solution
- (A): [Fe(H2O)6]3+ vs [FeF6]3− — H2O lies above F− in the series, so H2O gives greater splitting: order is correct.
- (B): [Fe(en)3]3+ vs [Fe(NCS)6]3− — en (a strong bidentate N-donor) is well above NCS⁻: order is correct.
- (C): [Fe(CN)6]4− vs [Fe(H2O)6]2+ — CN⁻ is one of the strongest-field ligands, far above H₂O: order is correct. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.In which one of the following complexes the metal ion has t2g3eg2 configuration ? (A) [Mn(H2O)6]2+ (B) [Fe(H2O)6]2+ (C) [Co(NH3)6]3+ (D) [Ni(H2O)6]2+
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests d-electron counting plus crystal field splitting: t2g3eg2 is the high-spin d5 pattern, and only Mn2+ among the choices is d5.
Concept and Intuition
In an octahedral field the five d orbitals split into the lower t2g (3 orbitals) and upper eg (2 orbitals) sets. The configuration t2g3eg2 has 3+2=5 electrons distributed one-per-orbital across all five d orbitals — this is only possible for a d5 ion in the high-spin (weak field) case, where electrons singly occupy every orbital before any pairing (Hund's rule) because the ligand field splitting Δo is too small to force pairing.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Count total electrons in the configuration: t2g3eg2=5 electrons ⇒ the metal ion is d5.
- Find each ion's dn count:
- Mn2+: Mn (Z=25) is [Ar]3d54s2; losing the two 4s electrons gives Mn2+=3d5.
- Fe2+: Fe (Z=26) is [Ar]3d64s2; Fe2+=3d6.
- Co3+: Co (Z=27) is [Ar]3d74s2; removing 3 electrons gives Co3+=3d6.
- Ni2+: Ni (Z=28) is [Ar]3d84s2; Ni2+=3d8.
- Only Mn2+ is d5. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-16-AN1 markMCQQ.Arrange the following complexes in increasing order of number of unpaired electrons present in central metal ion I. [Fe(CN)6]3− II. [Co(C2O4)3]3− III. [Mn(CN6)]3− (A) II < III < I (B) III < I < II (C) II < I < III (D) I < II < III
›Reveal solutionSolution
Tests counting unpaired d-electrons in low-spin octahedral complexes; the increasing order of
unpaired electrons is II (Co, 0) < I (Fe, 1) < III (Mn, 2).
Concept and Intuition
In an octahedral crystal field, d orbitals split into a lower t2g set (3 orbitals) and a
higher eg set (2 orbitals). Strong-field ligands (like CN−) and chelating ligands
with high effective field strength for a high-oxidation-state metal (like oxalate on Co3+)
favour the low-spin arrangement, in which electrons fill and pair up in t2g before
occupying eg at all.
Step-by-Step Solution
- [Fe(CN)6]3−: Fe is +3, so Fe3+ is d5. CN− is a strong-field ligand → low spin: t2g5eg0. Filling t2g's 3 orbitals with 5 electrons gives 2 fully paired orbitals + 1 singly occupied orbital → 1 unpaired electron.
- [Co(C2O4)3]3−: Co is +3, so Co3+ is d6. Co3+ complexes are strongly disposed to low spin even with moderately strong chelating ligands like oxalate → t2g6eg0, all three t2g orbitals fully paired → 0 unpaired electrons.
- [Mn(CN)6]3−: Mn is +3, so Mn3+ is d4. CN− forces low spin: …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-16-FN1 markMCQQ.[Ni(H2O)6]2+ on reaction with ethane-1,2-diamine forms violet colour complex. Its formula and magnetic property respectively are (A) [Ni(H2O)4en]2+, Paramagnetic nature (B) [Ni(H2O)2en2]2+, Diamagnetic nature (C) [Ni(en)3]2+, Paramagnetic nature (D) [Ni(H2O)2en2]2+, Paramagnetic nature
›Reveal solutionSolution
[Ni(H2O)6]2+ reacts with excess ethylenediamine to fully substitute all six water ligands (chelate effect), forming the octahedral, violet [Ni(en)3]2+ complex, which is paramagnetic since octahedral d8 Ni(II) always retains 2 unpaired electrons.
Concept and Intuition
Ethane-1,2-diamine (en) is a bidentate ligand, and chelation with a multidentate ligand is entropically strongly favoured (the chelate effect) over monodentate water ligands. With enough en added, all six water molecules on [Ni(H2O)6]2+ are displaced by three en molecules (each en occupying two coordination sites), giving the well-known tris(ethylenediamine)nickel(II) complex. For Ni2+ (d8) in an octahedral field, the electron configuration is t2g6eg2 — the two eg electrons must occupy the two degenerate eg orbitals singly (Hund's rule), so an octahedral d8 complex is always paramagnetic (2 unpaired electrons), regardless of the ligand's field strength; only a square-planar geometry (as with CN− or in Pt2+/Pd2+ complexes) can force pairing to diamagnetism for d8.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Reaction: [Ni(H2O)6]2++3en→[Ni(en)3]2++6H2O (complete displacement, driven by the chelate effect).
- Geometry: octahedral (6-coordinate, three bidentate en ligands). …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.The paramagnetic complex ion which has no unpaired electrons in t2g orbitals is (A) [Fe(CN)6]4− (B) [Fe(CN)6]3− (C) [Zn(NH3)6]2+ (D) [Ni(NH3)6]2+
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests crystal-field electron filling (t2g vs eg) across four octahedral complexes; the one paramagnetic ion with an empty t2g subshell of unpaired spins is [Ni(NH3)6]2+.
Concept and Intuition
In an octahedral field the five d-orbitals split into the lower t2g set (3 orbitals) and upper eg set (2 orbitals). Whether electrons pair up in t2g before occupying eg depends on whether the ligand is strong field (low spin) or weak/medium field (high spin), and on the metal's dn count.
Step-by-Step Solution
- [Fe(CN)6]4−: Fe2+=d6. CN− is a strong-field ligand ⇒ low spin: configuration t2g6eg0. All electrons paired — diamagnetic, so it is not even paramagnetic; eliminated.
- [Fe(CN)6]3−: Fe3+=d5, low spin with CN−: t2g5eg0. This has 1 unpaired electron, but it sits IN t2g — fails the "no unpaired electrons in t2g" condition.
- [Zn(NH3)6]2+: Zn2+=d10, fully filled t2g6eg4 regardless of field strength — diamagnetic, no unpaired electrons anywhere; eliminated. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.How many of the following ligands are stronger than H2O? S2−,Br−,C2O42−,CN−,en,NH3,CO,OH− (A) 5 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 6
›Reveal solutionSolution
Checking each of the 8 ligands against the spectrochemical series relative to H₂O shows exactly 4 (CN⁻, en, NH₃, CO) are stronger field ligands than water.
Concept and Intuition
The spectrochemical series ranks ligands by their crystal-field splitting strength, from weak field (e.g. halides) to strong field (e.g. CO, CN⁻). Water sits roughly in the middle, so any given ligand must be individually checked against its position relative to H₂O.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Standard spectrochemical series (weak → strong): I−<Br−<S2−<SCN−<Cl−<N3−<F−<OH−<C2O42−<H2O<NCS−<NH3<en<NO2−<CN−≈CO.
- Classify each of the 8 given ligands relative to H2O:
- S2− — weaker than H2O.
- Br− — weaker than H2O.
- C2O42− — weaker than H2O (just below it in the series).
- CN− — stronger than H2O.
- en — stronger than H2O.
- NH3 — stronger than H2O.
- CO — stronger than H2O.
- OH− — weaker than H2O. …
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