What is the name of [Co(en)3][Cr(C2O4)3]?

1 answer

The compound \([Co(en)_3][Cr(C_2O_4)_3]\) is a coordination complex. The name can be derived from the ligands and their coordination to the central metal ions.

  1. The \([Co(en)_3]^{3+}\) part is a cobalt complex where "en" stands for ethylenediamine, a bidentate ligand. Cobalt is in the +3 oxidation state here.

  2. The \([Cr(C_2O_4)_3]^{3-}\) part involves chromium with three oxalate (\(C_2O_4^{2-}\)) ligands, where chromium is also in the +3 oxidation state.

Putting it all together, the name of the compound is:

Tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) chromium(III) tris(oxalate).

In a more condensed form, it can be referred to as tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) chromium(III) oxalate.