What is stereoisomerism and why can it exist in complex ions?
Stereoisomerism is when compounds have the same structural formula but a different arrangement of atoms in space.
It can exist in complex ions because the spatial arrangement of ligands around a central metal ion can vary.
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What types of stereoisomerism can occur in complex ions?
Complex ions can exhibit cis-trans isomerism and optical isomerism.
Cis-trans isomerism is also known as geometrical isomerism.
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Describe the existence of cis-trans isomerism in the square planar complex, Pd(NH3)2Cl2.
In the cis-isomer, the Cl- ligands are adjacent to each other, with a Cl-Pd-Cl bond angle of 90°.
In the trans-isomer, the Cl- ligands are opposite each other, with a Cl-Pd-Cl bond angle of 180°.
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Describe the existence of cis-trans isomerism in the octahedral complex, [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+.
In the cis-isomer, the Cl- ligands ligands are adjacent to each other, with a Cl-Co-Cl bond angle of 90°.
In the trans-isomer, the Cl- ligands are on opposite corners of the octahedron, with a Cl-Co-Cl bond angle of 180°.
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What are enantiomers?
Enantiomers are optical isomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other.
They often occur in octahedral complexes with bidentate ligands, resembling left and right hands.
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Describe the optical isomers of the octahedral complex, [Ru(en3)]2+, where en = NH2CH2CH2NH2.
The two [Ru(en3)]2+ complexes shown above are mirror-images of each other and cannot be superimposed, like a left hand and a right hand.
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