Question

Which one of the following complex ions has an optical isomer?
a. [Zn(phen)2]2+
b. [Cu(CN)4]2–
c. [Co(H2O)4en]2+
d. [Zn(NH3)2en]2+
e. [Ni(en)3]2+

how would i go about finding this answer? i don't need the answer give would prefer steps. thanks

Answer 1

Draw an octahedran and plug the liqands onto the sides got c,d, and e (those have coordination of 6. Fopr a and b do a square and plug in the ligands. If you can do one of them in two different ways; i.e., so that two of the ligands are cis in one position and trans in another, that will be the one optical active. I won't tell you the answer; see if you can figure it out.

Answer 2

im not to sure what phen and en are short for. but im thinking the answers maybe d) if zinc is bonded to 2 (NH3) and if en means the rest of atoms its bonded to are the same.??