Question 1

Which of the following best describes a structural isomer in coordination chemistry?

Accepted Answer

A compound with the same formula but different connectivity of atoms or ligands.

Question 2

Which of the following pairs are linkage isomers?

Accepted Answer

$$[Co(NH_3$)_5(NO_2$)]^{2+}$$ and $$[Co(NH_3$)_5(ONO)]^{2+}$$

Question 3

Which of the following is true about geometric isomers in square planar complexes?

Accepted Answer

They can be classified as cis and trans isomers.

Question 4

Which of the following complexes can exhibit optical isomerism?

Accepted Answer

$$[Co(en)_3]^{3+}$$

Question 5

A coordination compound has the formula $$[Cr(H_2O)_4Cl_2]Cl. $$Which type of isomerism can it exhibit?

Accepted Answer

Geometric (cis-trans) isomerism

Question 6

Which of the following best describes ionization isomerism?

Accepted Answer

Isomers that differ in the identity of the counter ion and the ligand inside the coordination sphere.

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of a pair of ionization isomers?

Accepted Answer

$$[Co(NH_3$)_5Br]SO_4$ and $$[Co($$NH_3)_5SO_4$$]Br$$

Question 8

Which of the following statements about optical isomers is correct?

Accepted Answer

They rotate plane-polarized light in opposite directions.

Question 9

Which of the following complexes can have cis and trans geometric isomers?

Accepted Answer

$$[Pt(NH_3$)_2Cl_2]$$

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why $$[Co(en)_3]^{3+}$$ can exhibit optical isomerism?

Accepted Answer

It lacks a plane of symmetry and has chiral geometry.

Question 11

Which of the following is a linkage isomer of $$[Co(NH_3$)_5(NO_2$)]^{2+}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$[Co(NH_3$)_5(ONO)]^{2+}$$

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a complex to exhibit optical isomerism?

Accepted Answer

The complex must be square planar.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the difference between cis and trans isomers in $$[Pt(NH_3$)_2Cl_2]$$?

Accepted Answer

In the cis isomer, the two $$NH_3$$ ligands are adjacent; in the trans isomer, they are opposite each other.

Question 14

Which of the following is true about coordination isomerism?

Accepted Answer

It occurs when both the cation and anion are complex ions and the ligands are exchanged between them.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a pair of coordination isomers?

Accepted Answer

$$[Co(NH_3$)_6][Cr(CN)_6]$$ and $$[Cr(NH_3$)_6][Co(CN)_6]$$

Question 16

Which of the following statements about bidentate ligands and optical isomerism is correct?

Accepted Answer

Bidentate ligands can create chiral complexes that exhibit optical isomerism.

Question 17

Which of the following is a real-world application of geometric isomerism in coordination compounds?

Accepted Answer

The cis isomer of $$[Pt(NH_3$)_2Cl_2] is $$used as an anti-cancer drug (cisplatin).

Isomerism in Coordination Compounds

Study Guide - Practice Questions