Question

What is the oxidation number and the coordination number of iron respectively in the structure of iron oxalate complex $\left[Fe\right(C_2{O}_4{)}_3{]}^{3-}$?

• A. 6, 3
• B. 3, 6
• C. 2, 6
• D. 2, 4

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

3, 6

Option (B) is correct. Oxidation number and the coordination number of iron in $\left[Fe\right(C_2{O}_4{)}_3{]}^{3-}$complex are 3 and 6 respectively.

Oxidation number of iron in $\left[Fe\right(C_2{O}_4{)}_3{]}^{3-}$ :

$x+(-2\times 3)=-3$

$x-6=-3$

$x=-3+6$

$x=+3$

Iron is bounded with three atoms of oxalato ion which is a bidentate ligand, Thus, coordination number is 6.