CPC Inorganic Chemistry & Coordination Compounds 3

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Hard bases that are small, electronegative, and weakly polarizable

Answer

Soft bases with large, highly polarizable electron clouds

Answer

Neutral ligands regardless of polarizability

Answer

Bases with the lowest electronegativity

Question 2

The chelate effect arises primarily from which thermodynamic contribution?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

A large negative enthalpy change due to stronger metal–donor bonds

Answer

A decrease in Gibbs free energy from stronger σ-bond covalency

Answer

A reduction in the metal coordination number lowering steric strain

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Orange-yellow

Answer

Violet

Answer

Blue

Answer

Green

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Hexacyanoferrate(II)

Answer

Iron(II) hexacyanide

Answer

Hexacyanoferrate(IV)

Answer

Iron hexakis(cyanide)(4−)

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

5

Answer

3

Answer

4

Answer

2

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

36; yes, the 18-electron rule is satisfied

Answer

34; no, the 18-electron rule is not satisfied

Answer

28; no, the metal contributes too few electrons

Answer

32; no, CO donates too few electrons

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Direct incoming nucleophiles exclusively to the cis positions

Answer

Stabilize the complex through enhanced π-backbonding in the trans direction

Answer

Convert square planar geometry to tetrahedral upon substitution