Which of the following statements is true about coordination complexes? A) When the ligands approach a transition metal ion in an octahedral field, the d_xz, d_yz, and d_xy atomic orbitals are affected the least by the ligands. B) The metal is a Lewis base and the ligands are Lewis acids. C) Only complexes with coordination number 6 are found in nature. D) None of these is true. E) All of these are true.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In an octahedral field, the $d_{z^2}$ and $d_{x^2-y^2}$ orbitals are affected the most because they point directly at the incoming ligands, leading to a higher energy increase compared to the $d_{xy}$, $d_{xz}$, and $d_{yz}$ orbitals, which are affected the least. This is a fundamental concept in crystal field theory. The other statements are incorrect: metals in coordination complexes act as Lewis acids (not bases) because they accept electron pairs from ligands (which are Lewis bases), and coordination complexes can have various coordination numbers, not just 6.

Which of the Following Statements Is True About Coordination Complexes