MasteryExams
General Science • ChemistryHard

Which of the following coordination compounds exhibits linkage isomerism due to the presence of an ambidentate ligand?

A. Pentaamminenitrocobalt(III) chloride✓ Correct Answer
B. Tetraamminedichloroplatinum(IV)
C. Hexaaminechromium(III) nitrate
D. Potassium hexacyanoferrate(II)

💡 Solution & Explanation

Linkage isomerism arises in coordination complexes containing ambidentate ligands such as the nitrite ion, which can coordinate to the central metal atom through either its nitrogen atom forming nitro complexes or its oxygen atom forming nitrito complexes. Pentaamminenitrocobalt(III) chloride illustrates this phenomenon distinctly. Other choices involve symmetrical ligands or chloride anions that do not display alternative coordination modes. Ambidentate ligands possess two or more different donor atoms capable of lone pair donation.

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