Question

Name the following coordination compounds according to IUPAC norms: (a) [Co(NH$_3$)$_4$(H$_2$O)Cl]Cl$_2$
(b) [CrCl$_2$ (en)$_2$]Cl

Hint:

IUPAC naming of coordination compounds follows the order of ligands first (alphabetically), followed by the metal with its oxidation state.

Answer 1

(a) [Co(NH$_3$)$_4$(H$_2$O)Cl]Cl$_2$ is named as: tetraammineaquachlorocobalt(III) chloride. Here, "tetraammine" refers to four ammonia ligands, "aqua" for the water molecule, and "chlorocobalt(III)" represents the cobalt ion in the +3 oxidation state.
(b) [CrCl$_2$(en)$_2$]Cl is named as: dichloridobis(ethylenediamine)chromium(III) chloride. Here, "ethylenediamine" (en) is a bidentate ligand, and "chromium(III)" indicates that the chromium ion is in the +3 oxidation state.