Question

For the complex ion dichloridobis(ethylenediamine)cobalt (III), select the correct statement.

• A. It has three isomers, two of them are optically active and one is optically inactive
• B. It has three isomers, all of them are optically active.
• C. It has isomers, all of them are optically inactive.
• D. It has one optically active isomer and two geometrical isomers.

Answer 1

The correct option is A It has three isomers, two of them are optically active and one is optically inactive

The compound $\left[CO\right(en{)}_{2}C{l}_2{]}^{+}$ has geometrical isomers cis and trans. In trans the (en) ligands are at opposite to each other but present in the same plane so it is optically inactive. In cis isomer, the en ligands are at adjacent side and at different plane, hence, it is optically active. Since it is optically active it will have its enantiomeric pair(mirror image). Hence, total number of isomers possible for the given compound is 3.