Question

The metal d-orbitals that are directly facing the ligands in $K_3\left[Co\right(CN{)}_6]$ are:

• A. $d_{xz},d_{yz}$ and $d_{z^2}$
• B. $d_{xy},d_{xz}$ and $d_{yz}$
• C. $d_{xy}$ and $d_{x^2-y^2}$
• D. $d_{x^2-y^2}$ and $d_{z^2}$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

$d_{x^2-y^2}$ and $d_{z^2}$

$K_3\left[Co\right(CN{)}_6]$

$C{o}^{3+}\to [Ar{]}_{18}3d^6$.

Here since the coordination number of $Co$ is 6, thus it will form an octahedral complex.

Thus, according to CFT, the orbitals which are in the direction of metal is $d_{x^2-y^2}$ and $d_{z^2}$.