Question

State whether the given statement is true or false:

(a) Formation of $\left[Ni\right(en{)}_3{]}^{2+}$ from $N{i}^{2+}$ and ethylenediamine is a Lewis acid-base reaction.

(b)The Lewis acid and Lewis base in the reaction of oxalate ions $\left(C_2{O}_4^{2-}\right)$ with $F{e}^{3+}$ to $\left[Fe\right(C_2{O}_4{)}_3{]}^{3-}$ are $\left(C_2{O}_4^{2-}\right)$ and $F{e}^{3+}$ respectively.

• A. Both (a) and (b) are true.
• B. (a) is true and (b) is false.
• C. (b) is true and (a) is false.
• D. None of these.

Answer 1

The correct option is B (a) is true and (b) is false.

(a)$N{i}^{2+}$ is electron-pair acceptor (a Lewis acid) and en(ethylene diamine) is electron-pair donor (a Lewis base). Hence, complex formation is a Lewis acid-base reaction,therefore it is true.

(b) This is false statement because $F{e}^{3+}$: Lewis acid; $C_2{O}_4^{2-}$:Lewis base.