Consider the transition metal ions Mn3+, Cr3+, Fe3+ and Co3+ and all form low spin octahedral complexes. The correct decreasing order of unpaired electrons in their respective d-orbitals of the complexes is
- Cr3+ > Mn3+ > Fe3+ > Co3+
- Mn3+ > Fe3+ > Co3+ > Cr3+
- Fe3+ > Co3+ > Mn3+ > Cr3+
- Cr3+ > Fe3+ > Co3+ > Mn3+
Answer
(1) Cr3+ > Mn3+ > Fe3+ > Co3+
Solution
Low spin octahedral ( o > P): electrons pair in t2g before entering eg.
Cr3+: 3d3 t2g3eg0 3 unpaired
Mn3+: 3d4 t2g4eg0 2 unpaired
Fe3+: 3d5 t2g5eg0 1 unpaired
Co3+: 3d6 t2g6eg0 0 unpaired
Cr3+ > Mn3+ > Fe3+ > Co3+
Answer: (1)