Isomerism in Coordination

Compounds

ISOMERS

Prof. Dr. Fakhili Gul

Universitas Sriwijaya

Prof. Dr. Fakhili Gul

Isomerism in Coordination Compounds

Structural Isomerism 1

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Isomers
(same formula but different properties)

Structural
isomers
(different bonds)

Coordination isomerism:
Composition of the complex ion varies.

Stereoisomers
(same bonds, different
spatial arrangements)

[Cr(NH3)5SO4]Br
Coordination
isomerism

Linkage
isomerism

Geometric
(cis-trans)
isomerism

Optical
isomerism

and [Cr(NH3)5Br]SO4

Prof. Dr. Fakhili Gul

Prof. Dr. Fakhili Gul

Linkage Isomers

Structural Isomerism 2
Linkage isomerism:
Same complex ion structure but point
of attachment of at least one of the
ligands differs.
[Co(NH3)4(NO2)Cl]Cl
and [Co(NH3)4(ONO)Cl]Cl

[Co(NH3)5(NO2)]Cl2

Pentaamminenitrocobalt(III) chloride
Prof. Dr. Fakhili Gul

[Co(NH3)5(ONO)]Cl2
Pentaamminenitritocobalt(III) chloride
Prof. Dr. Fakhili Gul

Stereoisomerism 1

Geometric (cis-trans) Isomerism

Geometric isomerism (cis-trans):

Atoms or groups arranged differently

spatially relative to metal ion

Pt(NH3)2Cl2
Prof. Dr. Fakhili Gul

Prof. Dr. Fakhili Gul

Stereoisomerism 2

Geometric (cis-trans) Isomerism

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Cl

Cl
H3N

H3N

NH3

Co

Co
H3N

NH 3

NH3

H3N

Optical isomerism: Have opposite effects on planepolarized light (no superimposable mirror images)

Cl

Polarizing
filter

NH 3

Cl

Cl

Cl

Co

Tube
containing
sample

Unpolarized
light

Co

Cl

Polarized
light

Cl
(a)

(b)

Rotated
Prof. Dr. Fakhili Gul
polarized light

Prof. Dr. Fakhili Gul

Mirror Image

Optical Isomerism in an Octahedral Complex Ion

12

20_448

Mirror image
of right hand
Left hand

Right hand

Prof. Dr. Fakhili Gul

Prof. Dr. Fakhili Gul

20_449

N
13

N
Co

14

Mirror image
of Isomer I

Cl
N

N
N

Co

trans

N
N

Co

Isomer I

Cl

Prof. Dr. Fakhili Gul

(a)

cis

Co

N
N

Isomer II cannot be
superimposed exactly
on isomer I. They are
not identical structures.

Cl
Cl

Co

Cl

N
Cl
N

N
N

N
Co

Cl

Isomer I N

Isomer II N

(b)

Isomer II has the same

structure as the mirror
image of isomer I.

Isomer II
N

Cl

Cl
N

Co
N

N
N

N
Cl

N
N

Co

The trans isomer and

its mirror image are
identical. They are not
isomers of each other.

Prof. Dr. Fakhili Gul