Question

In 1901 Edith Humphrey, a doctoral student of Alfred Werner, synthesized two isomers of bis(ethylenediamine)dinitrocobalt(lll) nitrate. Draw diagrams showing the structures of all the stereoisomers possible for this compound.

Answer 1

Explanation:

bis(ethylenediamine)dinitrocobalt(lll) nitrate is an octahedral complex. It has 2 kinds of ligands viz. Bidentate ethylenediamine ligand and Nitro ligand.

2 Stereo isomeric structures are possible as the substituency of ligands considered.

Isomer 1: 2 Nitro groups occupied diaxial position with NO₂-Co-NO₂ bond angle as 108^o.Rest positions occupied by N of ethylenediamine ligands.

Isomer 2 : 2 Nitro groups occupying equatorial position with NO₂-Co-NO₂ bond angle 90^o .Rest positions occupied by N of ethylenediamine ligands