Question:hard

When a coordination compound \( CoCl_{3} \cdot 6NH_{3} \) is mixed with excess of \( AgNO_{3} \) solution, 3 moles of \( AgCl \) are precipitated per mole of the compound. Write the structural formula of the complex, IUPAC name, its hybridisation and magnetic behaviour on the basis of valence bond theory.

Show Hint

Strong field ligands (\( CN^{-}, CO, NH_{3}, en \)) often cause pairing in d6 systems, leading to diamagnetic complexes.
Updated On: Jul 23, 2026
Show Solution

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Use the precipitation data to split the formula.
Three moles of $AgCl$ forming per mole of complex tells us straightaway that all three chloride ions are sitting outside the coordination sphere, free to react with $AgNO_3$. That leaves all six $NH_3$ molecules bound directly to cobalt inside the sphere, giving the structural formula $[Co(NH_3)_6]Cl_3$.
Step 2: Work out cobalt's oxidation state and name the compound.
Ammonia is neutral and the three chlorides outside carry a total charge of $-3$, so for the whole compound to be neutral, cobalt must be $+3$. Naming it in order, six ammine ligands, cobalt in the $+3$ state, and chloride as the counter ion, gives hexaamminecobalt(III) chloride.
Step 3: Sort out the electron configuration and hybridisation.
Free $Co^{3+}$ has the configuration $[Ar]3d^6$. Ammonia is a strong field ligand, so it forces all six of these d-electrons to pair up within just three of the five d-orbitals, leaving two d-orbitals completely empty and available for bonding. Those two empty d-orbitals combine with one s and three p orbitals, giving $d^2sp^3$ hybridisation and an octahedral, inner-orbital complex.
Step 4: Read off the magnetic behaviour.
Since every one of the six d-electrons is now paired up, there are no unpaired electrons left anywhere on cobalt, so the complex shows no attraction to a magnetic field, it is diamagnetic.
\[ \boxed{\text{[Co(NH}_3\text{)}_6\text{]Cl}_3\text{, hexaamminecobalt(III) chloride, } d^2sp^3\text{, diamagnetic}} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0