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Electron counting and oxidation state for transition metal complex A rhenium met

ID: 857992 • Letter: E

Question

Electron counting and oxidation state for transition metal complex

A rhenium metal center is bonded to 4 isonitrile ligands. In one isomer, the complex has a charge of -1; in another isomer, the complex has a charge of +1. What is the d electron count for the rhenium center in these two isomers?

Each isonitrile is a 2 electron donor, so that's 8 electrons. For the complex to have a -1 charge, the rhenium center must have a -1 charge (how can this be??). So it's d10, and therefore the -1 complex has 18 electrons.

Again, each isonitrile is a 2 electron donor = 8 total. For the complex to have a +1 charge, the rhenium center must be +1-->d8, so the complex is a 16 electron one.

Does this seem correct? Can someone please verify?

Explanation / Answer


1)
[Rh(NC)4]^-1

in the above complex Rh has +3 oxidation state Rh^+3
Rh^+3 = [kr]5s^0 4d^6

so there are 4 unpaired electrons


[Rh(NC)4]^+1

in the above complex Rh has +5 oxidation state Rh^+5
Rh^+5 = [Kr]5s^0 4d^4

so there are 4 unpaired electrons

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