Show how the coordination of two MeHNCH2CH2NH2 ligands to a metal atom in a square-planar complex results in cis, trans, and optical isomers. Identify the mirror planes in the isomers that are not chiral.

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Vocaloid · Answer

I haven't done this in a really long time, but I found a video that helps explain how to find isomers for coordination complexes. I took this screencap from the video. Notice on the trans isomer, the Cl ligands are placed on opposite sides of the compound, while the two ligands complexed to the center are in the same plane, giving you your trans isomer. In the cis example, the two Cl ligands are placed cis to each other, and the two chain ligands are also placed cis to each other, giving you a cis isomer. Take the mirror image of that isomer, and you'll find that it's a non-superimposable mirror image, giving you your optical isomers. full video, which I recommend watching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVghzbJHwHM

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