Core Logic
Let's determine the electronic configuration, oxidation state, and ligand nature for each complex:
- [Ni(CO)₄]$[Ni(CO)_4]$:
Oxidation state of Ni = 0. Configuration: 3d⁸ 4s²$3d^8 4s^2$.
CO is a strong field ligand. The 4s$4s$ electrons are pushed into the 3d$3d$ orbital, making it a 3d¹⁰$3d^{10}$ configuration. It is sp³$sp^3$ hybridized and diamagnetic.
Unpaired electrons = 0.
- [NiCl₄]²⁻$[NiCl_4]^{2-}$:
Oxidation state of Ni = +2$+2$. Configuration: 3d⁸$3d^8$.
Cl^-$Cl^-$ is a weak field ligand, so no pairing of the d⁸$d^8$ electrons occurs. The configuration is t2g⁶ eg²$t_{2g}^6 e_g^2$. It is sp³$sp^3$ hybridized.
Unpaired electrons = 2.
- [PtCl₂(NH₃)₂]$[PtCl_2(NH_3)_2]$:
Oxidation state of Pt = +2$+2$. Configuration: 5d⁸$5d^8$.
For 4d and 5d series metals, nearly all ligands act as strong field ligands. This causes pairing, leading to a dsp²$dsp^2$ hybridized square planar geometry.
Unpaired electrons = 0.
- [Ni(CN)₄]²⁻$[Ni(CN)_4]^{2-}$:
Oxidation state of Ni = +2$+2$. Configuration: 3d⁸$3d^8$.
CN^-$CN^-$ is a strong field ligand, forcing electron pairing. It becomes dsp²$dsp^2$ hybridized.
Unpaired electrons = 0.
- [Pt(CN)₄]²⁻$[Pt(CN)_4]^{2-}$:
Oxidation state of Pt = +2$+2$. Configuration: 5d⁸$5d^8$.
As established, 5d metals strictly form low spin complexes. CN^-$CN^-$ causes pairing (dsp²$dsp^2$).
Unpaired electrons = 0.
Step 1: Total Sum
Summing all unpaired electrons across all listed complexes:
0 + 2 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 2$0 + 2 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 2$.
Pattern Recognition
Metals from 4d and 5d series (like Pd, Pt) ALWAYS form inner-orbital/low-spin complexes regardless of the ligand strength. So, d⁸$d^8$ configurations in Pd²⁺$Pd^{2+}$ and Pt²⁺$Pt^{2+}$ will always pair up to yield zero unpaired electrons.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Chemistry: Coordination Compounds