Question

Draw the possible isomers of:
\[ [ \text{Co}(\text{en})_2\text{Cl}_2 ]^+ \]

Answer 1

Possible Isomers of the Complex

The complex ion:

\[ [ \text{Co}(\text{en})_2\text{Cl}_2 ]^+ \]

can have two types of geometric isomers: cis and trans.

• Cis isomer: Both Cl⁻ ions are adjacent to each other.
• Trans isomer: The Cl⁻ ions are opposite each other.

Here, “en” stands for ethylenediamine, which is a bidentate ligand. The arrangement of these ligands and the chloride ions around the cobalt center gives rise to these two possible geometric isomers.