Question

Which of the following has both face-mer and optical isomers?

• A. $\left[Co\right(N{H}_3{)}_3\left(N{O}_3{)}_3\right]$
• B. $\left[Co\right(ox{)}_3{]}^{3-}$
• C. $\left[Co\right(gly{)}_3]$
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is C $\left[Co\right(gly{)}_3]$

$\left[Co\right(N{H}_3{)}_3\left(N{O}_3{)}_3\right]$ is the complex of type $\left[M{a}_3{b}_3\right]$. It can show fac-mer isomerism but it cannot show optical isomerism.

The compound in options B is of the type $\left[M\right(AA{)}_3]$. It can show optical isomerism but it cannot show fac-mer isomerism.
The compound in option C is of the type $\left[M\right(AB{)}_3]$. It can show both optical and fac-mer isomerism.