To determine if a complex is para- or diamagnetic, follow these steps:
1. Find the oxidation state of the central metal.
2. Determine the number of d-electrons in the metal ion.
3. Classify the ligand as strong-field (causes pairing, low-spin) or weak-field (no pairing, high-spin).
4. Fill the d-orbitals (\(t_{2g}\) and \(e_g\)) accordingly.
5. If there are any unpaired electrons, it's paramagnetic. If all electrons are paired, it's diamagnetic.
Co\(^{3+}\) and \(d^6\) ions with strong-field ligands are a common source of diamagnetic complexes.