Geometry

Question 1

What are the types of Geometry in Complex Compounds?

Answer 1

Linear
Equilateral Triangular
Tetrahedral
Trigonal Bipyramidal
Square Pyramidal
Octahedral

Question 2

Write the hybridization of the following:
Linear
Tetrahedral
Trigonal Bipyramidal
Square Planar
Square Pyramidal
Octahedral

Answer 2

Linear : sp
Tetrahedral : sp^3
Trigonal Bipyramidal : dsp^3
Square Planar : dsp^2
Square Pyramidal: sp^3d^2
Octahedral : d^2sp^3

Question 3

Coordination Number 2

Answer 3

This arrangement is not very common for first row transition metal ion complexes and
some of the best known examples are for Silver(I). In this case we have a low charge
and an ion at the right hand side of the d-block indicating smaller size

Question 4

Coordination Number 3

Answer 4

this is not very common for first row transition metal ions Examples with
three different geometries have been identified:
Trigonal planar Geometry: Well known for main group species like CO3 2- etc.,
this geometry has the four atoms in a plane with the bond angles between the ligands at
120 degrees.
 The Trigonal planar [Cu(CN)3]2-
 Trigonal pyramid Geometry: More common with main group ions.
 T-shaped: The first example of a rare T-shaped molecule was found in 1977.

Question 5

Coordination Number 4

Answer 5

Two different geometries are possible. The tetrahedron is the more common while the square
planar is found almost exclusively with metal ions having a d8
electronic configuration.
 Tetrahedral Geometry: The chemistry of molecules centered around a tetrahedral C
atom is covered in organic courses. To be politically correct, please change all
occurrences of C to Co. There are large numbers of tetrahedral Cobalt(II) complexes
known.
 Square Planar Geometry: This is fairly rare and is included only because some
extremely important molecules exist with this shape.

Question 6

Coordination Number 5

Answer 6

Square pyramid Geometry: Oxovanadium salts (Vanadyl, VO2+) often show square
pyramidal geometry, for example, VO(acac)2. Note that the Vanadium(IV) can be
considered coordinatively unsaturated and addition of pyridine leads to the formation of
an octahedral complex.

 Trigonal Bipyramid Geometry: The structure of [Cr(en)3][Ni(CN)5] 1.5 H2O was
reported in 1968 to be a remarkable example of a complex exhibiting both types of
geometry in the same crystal. [Ni(CN)5]