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What is the ground state energy terms of the complex [co(ox)3]^4-?
Accepted Answer
The ground state energy terms for [Co(ox)3]^4- can be determined using crystal field theory. Here's how we can approach it:
1. Electronic Configuration of Co(II): Cobalt in the +2 oxidation state has the electron configuration [Ar] 3d^7.
2. Octahedral Complex: The complex [Co(ox)3]^4- is octahedral, meaning the six oxalate ligands (ox) occupy the vertices of an octahedron around the central cobalt ion.
3. Crystal Field Splitting: The d orbitals split into two sets in an octahedral field: a lower-energy set (t2g) and a higher-energy set (eg).
4. Filling the Orbitals: The seven d electrons of Co(II) are filled according to Hund's rule and the Aufbau principle. Since the complex is high spin (due to the weak-field nature of oxalate ligands), the electrons fill the t2g orbitals first, followed by the eg orbitals.
5. Ground State Term: The ground state term is determined by the total spin angular momentum (S) and total orbital angular momentum (L) of the complex. In this case, the t2g orbitals have 5 electrons (with spin multiplicity 2S+1 = 6) and the eg orbitals have 2 electrons (with spin multiplicity 2S+1 = 3). The ground state term is then calculated using spectroscopic terms, which results in ^4T1g.
Therefore, the ground state energy term for [Co(ox)3]^4- is ^4T1g.
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