Consider the following structures (1 and 2 are octahedral; 3 and 4 are square planar). Which one of the following statements about the above structures is correct?
A) Structures 1 and 2 are superimposable.
B) Structures 1 and 2 are geometric isomers.
C) Structures 3 and 4 are structural isomers.
D) Structures 3 and 4 are optical isomers.
E) Structures 3 and 4 are geometric isomers.

Question

Consider the following structures (1 and 2 are octahedral; 3 and 4 are square planar).  Which one of the following statements about the above structures is correct?
A) Structures 1 and 2 are superimposable. 
B) Structures 1 and 2 are geometric isomers. 
C) Structures 3 and 4 are structural isomers. 
D) Structures 3 and 4 are optical isomers. 
E) Structures 3 and 4 are geometric isomers.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Structures 3 and 4 are square planar isomers, and since they have the same ligands arranged differently, they are geometric isomers. Structures 1 and 2 are octahedral isomers, but they are not superimposable since they have a different number of ligands in equatorial and axial positions. Therefore, B is incorrect, and A, C, and D are also incorrect.

Consider the Following Structures (1 and 2 Are Octahedral; 3