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General Science • ChemistryHard

Which transition metal complex exhibits optical isomerism due to the presence of three symmetrical bidentate chelating ligands?

A. [Co(NH3)6]3+
B. [PtCl4]2-
C. [Co(en)3]3+✓ Correct Answer
D. [Ni(CO)4]

💡 Solution & Explanation

The complex tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) exhibits optical isomerism because it contains three symmetrical bidentate chelating ligands that create a chiral octahedral geometry lacking any plane or center of symmetry. Complexes with monodirectional ligands like ammonia or square planar geometries generally do not form non-superimposable optical enantiomers in the same manner. This chiral complex can rotate plane-polarized light.

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