Textbook Question
Draw all possible diastereoisomers of [Cr(C2O4)2(H2O)2]-. Which can exist as a pair of enantiomers?
Ch.21 - Transition Elements and Coordination Chemistry
McMurry8th EditionChemistryISBN: 9781292336145
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 - Chemical Tools: Experimentation & Measurement170
- Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules & Ions160
- Ch.3 - Mass Relationships in Chemical Reactions169
- Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution199
- Ch.5 - Periodicity & Electronic Structure of Atoms102
- Ch.6 - Ionic Compounds: Periodic Trends and Bonding Theory92
- Ch.7 - Covalent Bonding and Electron-Dot Structures61
- Ch.8 - Covalent Compounds: Bonding Theories and Molecular Structure59
- Ch.9 - Thermochemistry: Chemical Energy122
- Ch.10 - Gases: Their Properties & Behavior155
- Ch.11 - Liquids & Phase Changes54
- Ch.12 - Solids and Solid-State Materials73
- Ch.13 - Solutions & Their Properties120
- Ch.14 - Chemical Kinetics98
- Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium125
- Ch.16 - Aqueous Equilibria: Acids & Bases110
- Ch.17 - Applications of Aqueous Equilibria147
- Ch.18 - Thermodynamics: Entropy, Free Energy & Equilibrium86
- Ch.19 - Electrochemistry154
- Ch.20 - Nuclear Chemistry96
- Ch.21 - Transition Elements and Coordination Chemistry156
- Ch.22 - The Main Group Elements187
- Ch.23 - Organic and Biological Chemistry51
Chapter 21, Problem 21.38
Predict the number of unpaired electrons for each of the following.
(c) Zn2+
(d) Cr3+
Verified step by step guidance1
Determine the electron configuration of the neutral atom for each element.
For Zn, the electron configuration is [Ar] 3d^{10} 4s^2.
For Cr, the electron configuration is [Ar] 3d^5 4s^1.
Remove electrons according to the charge of the ion. For Zn^{2+}, remove 2 electrons from the 4s orbital. For Cr^{3+}, remove 3 electrons starting from the 4s orbital and then from the 3d orbital.
Count the number of unpaired electrons in the resulting electron configuration for each ion.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Electron Configuration
Electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals. It follows the Aufbau principle, which states that electrons fill the lowest energy orbitals first. Understanding the electron configuration of an element is crucial for predicting its chemical behavior, including the number of unpaired electrons.
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Electron Configuration Example
Unpaired Electrons
Unpaired electrons are those that occupy an orbital alone, without a paired electron of opposite spin. The presence of unpaired electrons is significant because it influences an atom's magnetic properties and reactivity. Atoms with unpaired electrons tend to be more reactive and can form bonds more readily.
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Transition Metals and Oxidation States
Transition metals can exhibit multiple oxidation states, which affect their electron configurations. For example, when transition metals lose electrons to form cations, the electrons are typically removed from the outermost s and d orbitals. Understanding how to determine the oxidation state of an element helps in predicting the resulting electron configuration and the number of unpaired electrons.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Draw a crystal field energy-level diagram for a square planar complex, and explain why square planar geometry is especially common for d8 complexes.
Textbook Question
Which of the following complexes can exist as diastereoisomers?
(a) [Cr(NH3)2Cl4]-
(b) [Co(NH3)5Br]2+
(c) [MnCl2Br2]2- (tetrahedral)
(d) [Pt(NH3)2Br2]2-
Textbook Question
What is the general trend in standard potentials for the oxidation of first-series transition metals from Sc to Zn? What is the reason for the trend?
Textbook Question
What is the crystal field energy level diagram for the complex [Fe(NH3)6]3+?
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Textbook Question
Predict the crystal field energy-level diagram for a linear ML2 complex that has two ligands along the :