Question

Write IUPAC name of the given complex: \( K_3[Cr(C_2O_4)_3] \)

Hint:

Use prefixes like “bis”, “tris” for ligands already containing numerical prefixes, and add “-ate” for metals in anionic complexes.

Answer 1

Step 1: The complex anion consists of chromium metal surrounded by three bidentate oxalate ligands \( (C_2O_4^{2-}) \).
Step 2: The ligand “oxalate” is named as “oxalato”. Since there are three such ligands, we use the prefix “tris”.
Step 3: The oxidation state of chromium is +3.
Step 4: The metal is in a complex anion, so its name ends in “-ate”.
\[ \text{Final IUPAC name: Potassium tris(oxalato)chromate(III)} \]