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 are not optical isomers as they are identical. Structures 1 and 3 are different complexes as they have different ligands X and Y. Structures 1 and 4 are geometrical isomers as they have different arrangements of ligands X and Y. Structures 3 and 4 are not the same complex as they have different ligands X and Y. Therefore, the incorrect statement is that structures 1 and 3 are optical isomers.

Consider the Following Octahedral Complex Structures, Each Involving Ethylene Diamine