Out of the following complex compounds, which of the compound will be having the minimum conductance solution?
- [Co(NH3)6]Cl3
- [Co(NH3)5Cl]Cl
- [Co(NH3)3Cl3]
- [Co(NH3)4Cl2]
Answer
(3) [Co(NH3)3Cl3], (4) [Co(NH3)4Cl2]
Solution
Conductance of a solution depends on the number of ions a complex gives in solution.
[Co(NH3)6]Cl3 [Co(NH3)6]3+ + 3Cl- (4 ions)
[Co(NH3)5Cl]Cl [Co(NH3)5Cl]+ + Cl- (2 ions)
[Co(NH3)3Cl3]: all three Cl- are inside the coordination sphere, so it is a neutral complex and gives no ions.
[Co(NH3)4Cl2], as written (no ion outside the bracket, Co in +2 state), is also a neutral complex and gives no ions.
∴ (3) and (4) both give the minimum conductance.
Answer: (3), (4)