Consider the following octahedral complex structures, each involving ethylene diamine and two different, unidentate ligands X and Y. Which one of the following statements about these structures is incorrect?
A) Structures 1 and 2 are optical isomers.
B) Structures 1 and 3 are optical isomers.
C) Structures 1 and 3 are different complexes.
D) Structures 1 and 4 are geometrical isomers.
E) Structures 3 and 4 are the same complex.

Question

Consider the following octahedral complex structures, each involving ethylene diamine and two different, unidentate ligands X and Y.  Which one of the following statements about these structures is incorrect?
A) Structures 1 and 2 are optical isomers. 
B) Structures 1 and 3 are optical isomers. 
C) Structures 1 and 3 are different complexes. 
D) Structures 1 and 4 are geometrical isomers. 
E) Structures 3 and 4 are the same complex.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Structures 1 and 2 differ in the arrangement of the unidentate ligands, making them optical isomers. However, structures 1 and 3 have the same arrangement of unidentate ligands, making them the same complex. Structures 1 and 4 have different arrangements of the ethylene diamine and unidentate ligands, making them geometrical isomers. Therefore, the only incorrect statement is that structures 1 and 3 are optical isomers (choice B).

Consider the Following Octahedral Complex Structures, Each Involving Ethylene Diamine