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Inorganic Chemistry & Coordination Compounds Flashcards

7 cards from real CPC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. According to Hard-Soft Acid-Base (HSAB) theory, hard acids preferentially bind to:

    Answer: Hard bases that are small, electronegative, and weakly polarizable

    Hard acids (small, high charge density) interact electrostatically and prefer hard bases (small, electronegative, low polarizability) based on charge–charge interactions.

  2. The chelate effect arises primarily from which thermodynamic contribution?

    Answer: An increase in entropy as multiple monodentate ligands are released into solution

    Replacing several monodentate ligands with one chelating ligand releases more free particles into solution, producing a significant entropy increase that drives complex stabilization.

  3. A coordination compound has its absorption maximum at 450 nm (violet-blue region). What color does this compound appear?

    Answer: Orange-yellow

    A compound that absorbs violet-blue light (~450 nm) transmits its complementary color, orange-yellow, which is what an observer sees.

  4. What is the correct IUPAC name for the complex ion [Fe(CN)6]4−?

    Answer: Hexacyanoferrate(II)

    Anionic complexes use the -ate suffix on the metal name; iron uses its Latin root (ferrate), and the Roman numeral indicates the +2 oxidation state, giving hexacyanoferrate(II).

  5. The measured magnetic moment of [MnCl4]2− is approximately 5.92 BM. How many unpaired electrons does this indicate?

    Answer: 5

    Using the spin-only formula μ = √(n(n+2)) BM, a value of 5.92 BM solves to n = 5 unpaired electrons, consistent with high-spin Mn2+ (d5).

  6. What is the effective atomic number (EAN) of nickel in [Ni(CO)4], and does it satisfy the 18-electron rule?

    Answer: 36; yes, the 18-electron rule is satisfied

    Ni(0) contributes 28 electrons and four CO ligands donate 2 electrons each (8 total); 28 + 8 = 36, the atomic number of krypton, satisfying the 18-electron rule.

  7. The trans effect in square planar complexes is defined as the ability of a coordinated ligand to:

    Answer: Labilize the ligand located directly opposite to it in the trans position

    The trans effect is a kinetic phenomenon in which a coordinated ligand increases the substitution rate of the ligand situated directly opposite (trans) to it.