Question:medium

Which ligand is stronger based on the spectrochemical series?

Show Hint

In the spectrochemical series, cyanide is a stronger ligand than thiocyanate. Strong-field ligands cause greater splitting of the d-orbitals.
  • Thiocyanate
  • Cyanide
  • Both equally strong
  • Neither is strong
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Cyanide bonds to a metal through carbon and is an excellent pi-acceptor, letting it pull the metal's d-electron density into empty orbitals on the ligand, which is what makes strong-field ligands strong. Thiocyanate is a much weaker pi-acceptor and behaves more like a borderline ligand. So between the two, cyanide is the stronger ligand, option (B).
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