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What coordination compound below would have the shortest wavelength? [crcl6]3- or [cr(h2o)6]3+ or [cr(en)3]3+ or [cr(ox)3]3-
Accepted Answer
The coordination compound with the shortest wavelength of light absorbed would be [Cr(en)3]3+. Here's why:
Ligand Field Theory: The color of a coordination compound arises from the absorption of light, which causes electrons to transition between d-orbitals. The energy difference between these orbitals is affected by the ligand's ability to split the d-orbitals.
Spectrochemical Series: The spectrochemical series ranks ligands based on their ability to split the d-orbitals. Strong-field ligands cause a larger splitting, leading to higher energy transitions and shorter wavelengths of light absorbed.
Ligand Strength: The ligands in order of increasing field strength are Cl- Therefore, [Cr(en)3]3+ with ethylenediamine (en) as a strong-field ligand will absorb the highest energy light, resulting in the shortest wavelength.
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