Isomers Worksheet - Answer Key

 

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  1. What is an isomer?

    Isomers are compounds with the same formula, but different chemical/physical properties.
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  3. Complete Isomer  Flow Chart


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  5. Define and give an example of each of the following
    1.  

    2. Coordinate Isomerism

      A ligand and a counter ion switch positions.

      [Cr(NH3)5Br]SO4     and  [Cr(NH3)5SO4]Br

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    4. Linkage Isomerism

      This occurs when you have a ligand that has 2 or more potential areas of attachment structured in such a way that only one or the other end is able to attach at a time

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    6. Geometric (cis-trans) Isomerism

      These isomers have two identical ligands that can either be placed 90o (called cis) or 180o (called trans) from each other.

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    8. Optical Isomerism

      This is when you have isomers that are non-super imposable mirror images.  These type of isomers rotate plane polarized light in different directions.

     

     

  6. Draw geometrical isomers of each of the following complex ions.
    1.  

    2. [Co(C2O4)2(H2O)2]-

    3.  

    4. [Pt(NH3)4I2]2+

     

     

  7. Which of the following ligands are capable of linkage isomerism?

    SCN-, N3-, NH2CH2CH2NH2, OCN-, I-
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  9. Draw all the geometric isomers of Pt(CN)2Br2(H2O)2. Which of these isomers has an optical isomer?  Draw the various optical isomers.




    There is only one optically active isomer:

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  11. How do you know if a complex ion, with tetrahedral geometry, is optically active?

    The metal has four different ligands attached.
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  13. In order for a molecule to be optically active it must be chiral
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  15. In order to be chiral a molecule must have a non-super imposable mirror images.
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  17. Chiral isomers are called enantiomers.
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  19. An isomer that rotates plane polarized light to the left is called levorotary (l).

    An isomer that rotates plane polarized light to the right is called dextrorotary (
    d).
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  21. What is a racemic mixture?

    A 50/50 mixture of 
    d/l enantiomers.