The total number of isomers for a square planar complex is
- (A)16
- (B)8
- (C)4
- (D)12✓ Correct
Answer: (D)
Solution
A square-planar complex with four different simple ligands has three distinct geometrical arrangements, set by which ligand sits trans to which. Here two ligands are ambidentate: thiocyanate can bind through sulphur or through nitrogen, and the nitrite can bind through nitrogen or through oxygen, each choice doubling the count. So the three geometrical isomers are multiplied by two for the linkage and again by two for the linkage, giving isomers in all.
JEE Main · 2019 · 10 Jan 2019 · Shift 1 · Single correct option