A metal ion in a high-spin octahedral complex has two more unpaired electrons than the same ion does in a low-spin octahedral complex.The metal ion could be: A)V²⁺ B)Cu²⁺ C)Mn²⁺ D)Cr³⁺ E)Co²⁺

Question

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The fact that the high-spin octahedral complex has two more unpaired electrons than the low-spin octahedral complex tells us that the metal ion must be in the middle of the transition series, as these are the ions that have multiple spin states. Looking at the answer choices, the only metal ion in the middle of the transition series is cobalt (Co). The high-spin octahedral complex for Co is written as Co(H2O)6^2+, which has four unpaired electrons, while the low-spin octahedral complex is written as CoF6^3-, which has two unpaired electrons. Therefore, the metal ion could be Co²⁺.

A Metal Ion in a High-Spin Octahedral Complex Has Two