MCQEasyJEE 2024Ligands & Coordination Number

JEE Chemistry 2024 Question with Solution

The coordination environment of Ca2+\text{Ca}^{2+} ion in its complex with EDTA4\text{EDTA}^{4-} is:

  • A

    Tetrahedral

  • B

    Octahedral

  • C

    Square planar

  • D

    Trigonal prismatic

Answer

Correct answer:B

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: The complex is formed between Ca2+\text{Ca}^{2+} and EDTA4\text{EDTA}^{4-}.

Find: The coordination environment of Ca2+\text{Ca}^{2+} in this complex.

Step 1: EDTA4\text{EDTA}^{4-} is a hexadentate ligand, so it donates through six donor atoms.

Step 2: A metal ion coordinated through six sites forms a six-coordinate complex.

Step 3: Six-coordinate complexes typically have octahedral geometry.

Other options are ruled out because tetrahedral and square planar are generally four-coordinate geometries, while trigonal prismatic is not the usual geometry here.

Therefore, the coordination environment of Ca2+\text{Ca}^{2+} ion in its complex with EDTA4\text{EDTA}^{4-} is octahedral. The correct option is B.

Option-by-option Analysis

Given: Ca2+\text{Ca}^{2+} forms a complex with EDTA4\text{EDTA}^{4-}.

Find: Which geometry matches the coordination environment.

Analysis:

  • Tetrahedral: usually associated with four coordination sites, so it does not fit a hexadentate ligand.
  • Octahedral: matches six coordination sites and is the expected geometry for a complex formed by EDTA4\text{EDTA}^{4-}.
  • Square planar: also a four-coordinate geometry and not appropriate here.
  • Trigonal prismatic: a less common six-coordinate geometry and not the typical environment for this complex.

Since EDTA4\text{EDTA}^{4-} binds through six donor atoms, the complex is best described as octahedral.

Therefore, the correct option is B.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming that the number of ligand molecules determines the geometry. Here, one EDTA4\text{EDTA}^{4-} ligand binds through six donor atoms, so the coordination number is 6, not 1. Always count donor atoms, not just ligand molecules.

  • Confusing hexadentate with hexagonal or some nonstandard shape. Hexadentate only means the ligand attaches through six points; the resulting common geometry is octahedral.

  • Choosing square planar or tetrahedral by focusing on familiar geometries without checking coordination number. Both are typically four-coordinate geometries, so they do not fit EDTA4\text{EDTA}^{4-} coordination here.

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