Total number of unpaired electrons in the complex ions [Co(NH3)6]3+ and [NiCl4]2- is .
Answer
2
Solution
[figure]
NH3 is a strong-field ligand for Co3+, so all six electrons pair up in t2g ( t2g6eg0): 0 unpaired.
Cl- is weak field and t is small, so [NiCl4]2- is e4t24: 2 unpaired.
Total unpaired electrons = 0 + 2 = 2
Answer: 2