20_441

Isomers
(same formula but different properties)

Structural Stereoisomers
isomers (same bonds, different
(different bonds) spatial arrangements)

Geometric
Coordination Linkage Optical
isomerism isomerism
(cis-trans) isomerism
isomerism
 Structural Isomerism 1

Coordination isomerism:
Composition of the complex ion varies.

[Cr(NH3)5SO4]Br
and [Cr(NH3)5Br]SO4
 Structural Isomerism 2

Ligand 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
 Linkage Isomers

[Co(NH3)5(NO2)]Cl2 [Co(NH3)5(ONO)]Cl2
Pentaamminenitrocobalt(III) Pentaamminenitritocobalt(III)
chloride chloride
 Stereoisomerism 1
Geometric isomerism (cis-trans):

Atoms or groups arranged differently spatially

relative to metal ion

Pt(NH3)2Cl2
20_444
Cl
Cl
H3N NH3
H3N NH3
Co Co

H3N NH3 H3N Cl

Cl NH3

Cl Cl

Co Co
Cl

Cl
(a) (b)
 Stereoisomerism 2
Optical isomerism:
20_446

Have opposite effects on plane-polarized light

(no superimposable mirror images)
Polarizing
filter

Tube
containing
Unpolarized
sample
light 
Polarized
light

Rotated
polarized light
20_448

Mirror image
of right hand
Left hand
Right hand
20_449

N N
Mirror image
Co
N N of Isomer I

N
N N

N N N N
Co Co
N N N N
Isomer I Isomer II
N N
20_450

Cl Thetransisomer and Cl Isomer II cannot be

its mirror image are superimposed exactl
N N identical. They are not N N on isomer I. They are
Co isomers of each other. Co not identical structu
N N N Cl
Cl Cl Cl
Cl N
N N N Cl N N
trans Co cis Co Co
N N N N N Cl

Cl Isomer IN Isomer IIN

Isomer II has the same

structure as the mirror
(a) (b) image of isomer I.
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