Q33 / 150 · MHT CET 2026 (20 April Shift 2) · Chemistry
Which of the following coordinate complexes is heteroleptic?
- APentacarbonyliron(0)
- Correct answerBTriamminetrinitrocobalt(III)
- CTetraamminecopper(II) ion
- DTetracyanonickelate(II) ion
Solution
A homoleptic complex has only one type of ligand attached to the central metal atom or ion.
A heteroleptic complex has more than one type of ligand attached to the central metal atom or ion.
Pentacarbonyliron(0) is $[Fe(CO)_5]$, which has only $CO$ ligands (homoleptic).
Triamminetrinitrocobalt(III) is $[Co(NH_3)_3(NO_2)_3]$, which has two different types of ligands, $NH_3$ and $NO_2^{-}$ (heteroleptic).
Tetraamminecopper(II) ion is $[Cu(NH_3)_4]^{2+}$, which has only $NH_3$ ligands (homoleptic).
Tetracyanonickelate(II) ion is $[Ni(CN)_4]^{2-}$, which has only $CN^{-}$ ligands (homoleptic).
Thus, Triamminetrinitrocobalt(III) is the heteroleptic complex.
A heteroleptic complex has more than one type of ligand attached to the central metal atom or ion.
Pentacarbonyliron(0) is $[Fe(CO)_5]$, which has only $CO$ ligands (homoleptic).
Triamminetrinitrocobalt(III) is $[Co(NH_3)_3(NO_2)_3]$, which has two different types of ligands, $NH_3$ and $NO_2^{-}$ (heteroleptic).
Tetraamminecopper(II) ion is $[Cu(NH_3)_4]^{2+}$, which has only $NH_3$ ligands (homoleptic).
Tetracyanonickelate(II) ion is $[Ni(CN)_4]^{2-}$, which has only $CN^{-}$ ligands (homoleptic).
Thus, Triamminetrinitrocobalt(III) is the heteroleptic complex.
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'B'.