3.2.5.3: Shapes of Complex Ions

• The 4 shapes that complexes can form are:

  • Linear
  • Tetrahedral
  • Square planar
  • Octahedral
• Give an example of a complex that displays a linear shape

  Tollen's reagent
• Complexes of square planar shape display:

  cis-trans (E-Z) isomerism
• Complexes of octahedral shape display:

  • cis-trans (E-Z) isomerism
  • optical isomerism
• This copper complex displays what type of isomerism?

  cis-trans (E-Z) isomerism

  
• This copper complex displays isomerism with the formula:

  Z/Cis -[Cu(NH3)4(H2O)2]2+

  
• This copper complex displays isomerism with the formula:

  E/Trans -[Cu(NH3)4(H2O)2]2+

  
• Give an example of complex that displays cis-trans (E-Z) isomerism:

  cisplatin & transplatin
• Octahedral complexes with 3 bidentate ligands or 2 bidentate ligands and 2 monodentate ligands display:

  • optical isomerism
• These complexes are:

  • enantiomers of [Ni(en)3]2+
  • ∴ are non-superimposable mirror images of each other