Question

How can cobalt forms 6 coordinate bond?? In which orbit it accommodates the 12 electrons??

Answer 1

Dear Student,the transition metal compounds regularly use the (n−1)d, ns and np orbitals for chemical bonding.For Co to form 6 bond,it's hybridization should be sp3d2 or d2sp3 means total 6 orbitals(two d+ one s+ three p) are participating in the bonding.Hence Co can easily occupy 12 electrons as one orbital can accommodate upto 2 electrons.Regards