Coordination Compounds 2 Question 12

13. The metal $d$-orbitals that are directly facing the ligands in $K _3\left[Co(CN) _6\right]$ are

(2019 Main, 12 Jan I)

(a) $d _{x z}, d _{y z}$ and $d _{z^{2}}$

(c) $d _{x y}, d _{x z}$ and $d _{y z}$

(b) $d _{x^{2}-y^{2}}$ and $d _{z^{2}}$

(d) $d _{x z}$ and $d _{x^{2}-y^{2}}$

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Answer:

Correct Answer: 13. (b)

Solution:

  1. In $K _3\left[Co(CN) _6\right]$, Co have $+3$ oxidation state and electronic configuration of $Co^{3+}$ is $[Ar] _{18} $ $3 d^{6}$.

<img src=“https://temp-public-img-folder.s3.amazonaws.com/sathee.prutor.images/sathee_image/cropped_2024_01_16_b4fdca9f34924034e8d8g-264_jpg_height_100_width_576_top_left_y_1833_top_left_x_1345.jpg"width="400">

As, $CN^{-}$is a strong field ligands so it pairs up the $d e^{-} s$

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In an octahedral complex, the metal is at the centre of the octahedron and the ligands are at the six corners. The lobes of the $e _g$ orbitals $\left(d _{x^{2}-y^{2}}\right.$ and $\left.d _{z^{2}}\right)$ point along the axes $x, y$ and $z$ under the influence of an octahedral field, the $d$-orbitals split as follow.

<img src=“https://temp-public-img-folder.s3.amazonaws.com/sathee.prutor.images/sathee_image/cropped_2024_01_16_b4fdca9f34924034e8d8g-264_jpg_height_289_width_654_top_left_y_2338_top_left_x_1303.jpg"width="400">

As the $d$-orbitals, i.e. $d _{x^{2}-y^{2}}$ and $d _{z^{2}}$ are vacant. Hence, these both orbitals are directly facing the ligands in $K _3\left[Co(CN) _6\right]$.