Q. Given below are two statements:
Statement I: A homoleptic octahedral complex, formed using monodentate ligands, will not show stereoisomerism.
Statement II: cis- and trans-platin are heteroleptic complexes of Pd.
A) Statement I is true but Statement II is false
B) Both Statement I and Statement II are true
C) Both Statement I and Statement II are false
D) Statement I is false but Statement II is true
Statement I: A homoleptic octahedral complex, formed using monodentate ligands, will not show stereoisomerism.
Statement II: cis- and trans-platin are heteroleptic complexes of Pd.
A) Statement I is true but Statement II is false
B) Both Statement I and Statement II are true
C) Both Statement I and Statement II are false
D) Statement I is false but Statement II is true
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Solution
1
Evaluating Statement I
A homoleptic complex has only one type of ligand. An octahedral homoleptic complex with monodentate ligands has the formula $[MA_6]$ — all six positions are identical.
Geometric isomerism requires at least two different ligands. Optical isomerism in $[MA_6]$ is also impossible due to high symmetry. Therefore, no stereoisomerism is possible.
Example: $[Co(NH_3)_6]^{3+}$, $[Fe(CN)_6]^{4-}$ — all same ligands, no cis/trans possible.
Statement I is TRUE.
2
Evaluating Statement II
Statement II claims cis- and trans-platin are complexes of Pd. This is wrong on two counts:
1. cisplatin = $cis$-$[Pt(NH_3)_2Cl_2]$ — metal is Platinum (Pt), NOT Palladium (Pd)
2. cisplatin is a square planar complex of Pt(II), not octahedral
2. cisplatin is a square planar complex of Pt(II), not octahedral
Statement II is FALSE. cis/trans platin are Pt complexes, not Pd.
3
Final Answer
Statement I: TRUE | Statement II: FALSE
Answer: Option A ✓
Answer: Option A ✓
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Theory
1. Homoleptic vs Heteroleptic Complexes and Stereoisomerism
A homoleptic complex contains only one type of ligand bound to the central metal, such as $[Co(NH_3)_6]^{3+}$ or $[Fe(CN)_6]^{4-}$. Because all ligand positions are equivalent, there is no possibility of geometric (cis-trans) or optical isomerism in homoleptic $[MA_6]$ type octahedral complexes with monodentate ligands. A heteroleptic complex contains two or more different types of ligands, like $[Co(NH_3)_4Cl_2]^+$. These can show geometric isomerism — the $[MA_4B_2]$ type shows cis and trans isomers, while $[MA_3B_3]$ type shows fac (facial) and mer (meridional) isomers. Polydentate ligands can introduce chirality even in homoleptic complexes, such as $[M(en)_3]^{3+}$, which shows optical isomerism.
2. Cisplatin — Structure, Metal, and Anticancer Activity
Cisplatin has the formula $cis$-$[Pt(NH_3)_2Cl_2]$ and contains Platinum (Pt), not Palladium (Pd). Pt(II) has a $d^8$ configuration and forms square planar complexes via $dsp^2$ hybridization. In cisplatin, both $NH_3$ ligands and both $Cl^-$ ligands are on the same side (cis). In transplatin, the two $Cl^-$ ligands are opposite each other (trans). Cisplatin is a landmark anticancer drug — it works by binding to DNA in cancer cells, crosslinking adjacent guanine bases, and preventing DNA replication. Only the cis isomer is biologically active; the trans isomer has no anticancer effect. This selectivity arises because the cis geometry allows simultaneous coordination to adjacent DNA bases, while the trans geometry cannot.
3. Types of Stereoisomerism in Coordination Compounds
Stereoisomerism in coordination compounds includes geometric isomerism and optical isomerism. Geometric isomerism arises when ligands can occupy different spatial positions relative to each other. In square planar complexes of $[MA_2B_2]$ type (like cisplatin), cis and trans isomers exist. In octahedral complexes, $[MA_4B_2]$ shows cis-trans isomerism, and $[MA_3B_3]$ shows fac-mer isomerism. Optical isomerism arises when a complex has a non-superimposable mirror image (chiral). This occurs in octahedral complexes with bidentate ligands like $[M(en)_3]^{3+}$ (exists as $\Delta$ and $\Lambda$ enantiomers) and in cis-$[M(en)_2Cl_2]^+$. Optical isomers rotate plane-polarised light in opposite directions. Square planar complexes generally do not show optical isomerism because they have a plane of symmetry (the molecular plane itself).
4. Why Pt(II) Forms Square Planar Complexes
Platinum (Pt) in the +2 oxidation state has a $d^8$ electronic configuration. For $d^8$ metal ions in the presence of strong or moderately strong field ligands, the crystal field stabilisation energy (CFSE) for square planar geometry is significantly greater than for tetrahedral geometry. One of the $d$ orbitals ($d_{x^2-y^2}$) is pushed to very high energy and remains empty, while the other four $d$ orbitals are fully occupied. This gives $dsp^2$ hybridization and a square planar geometry. Other common $d^8$ square planar ions include $Ni^{2+}$ (with strong field ligands), $Pd^{2+}$, $Au^{3+}$, and $Rh^+$. Understanding this is important because cisplatin and transplatin are both square planar, not octahedral — a fact that JEE directly tests.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1
What is a homoleptic complex and can it show isomerism?
A homoleptic complex has only one type of ligand, like [Co(NH3)6]3+ or [Fe(CN)6]4-. Since all positions are equivalent, no geometric or optical isomerism is possible in homoleptic [MA6] octahedral complexes with monodentate ligands. This is why Statement I in this question is TRUE.
2
Is cisplatin a complex of Pt or Pd?
Cisplatin contains Platinum (Pt), not Palladium (Pd). Its formula is cis-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2]. This is one of the most commonly tested facts in JEE coordination chemistry. Always remember: cis-PLAT-in → PLATinum. Confusing Pt with Pd is a classic JEE trap.
3
What is the difference between cis and trans platin?
In cisplatin (cis-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2]), both NH3 ligands and both Cl- ligands are on the same side (cis, 90° apart). In transplatin, the two Cl- ligands are on opposite sides (trans, 180° apart). Only cisplatin is an anticancer drug — the trans isomer has no anticancer activity because it cannot crosslink adjacent DNA bases simultaneously.
4
What is fac-mer isomerism in octahedral complexes?
Fac (facial) and mer (meridional) isomerism occurs in [MA3B3] type octahedral complexes. In the fac isomer, three identical ligands occupy corners of one face of the octahedron (all at 90° to each other). In the mer isomer, three identical ligands are in a plane: two are trans (180°) and one is cis (90°) to the other two. Example: [Co(NH3)3Cl3] has fac and mer isomers.
5
Why does cisplatin work as an anticancer drug?
Cisplatin works by entering cancer cells and binding to adjacent guanine bases on the same DNA strand, forming an intrastrand crosslink. This distorts the DNA helix and prevents DNA replication and transcription, ultimately triggering cell death (apoptosis). The cis geometry is essential — both Cl- ligands must be on the same side to simultaneously bind adjacent guanines. The trans isomer cannot form this geometry and is therefore inactive.
6
Which octahedral complexes show geometric isomerism?
Geometric isomerism occurs in: [MA4B2] type — cis (both B on same side) and trans (B on opposite sides) isomers; [MA3B3] type — fac and mer isomers; [MA2B2C2] and [MABCDEF] types also show multiple isomers. The key requirement is at least two different types of ligands (heteroleptic complex). Homoleptic [MA6] shows no isomerism.
7
Can homoleptic complexes ever show optical isomerism?
Yes — but only when polydentate ligands are used. [M(en)3]3+ is a homoleptic complex (all ethylenediamine ligands) that shows optical isomerism with Δ (delta) and Λ (lambda) enantiomers. The bidentate en ligands wrap around the metal in a helical fashion, creating a chiral centre with no plane of symmetry. However, homoleptic complexes with monodentate ligands like [MA6] cannot show any stereoisomerism.
8
What is the geometry of cisplatin and why?
Cisplatin is square planar. Pt(II) has a d8 configuration. For d8 ions, square planar geometry gives much higher Crystal Field Stabilisation Energy (CFSE) than tetrahedral. The dx2-y2 orbital is pushed to high energy and remains empty, while the other four d orbitals are filled. This results in dsp2 hybridization and square planar geometry with bond angles of 90°.
9
What are some common examples of heteroleptic octahedral complexes showing isomerism?
Common examples: [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ — cis and trans isomers ([MA4B2] type); [Co(NH3)3Cl3] — fac and mer isomers ([MA3B3] type); cis-[Co(en)2Cl2]+ — shows both geometric and optical isomerism; [Cr(NH3)4Cl2]+ — cis and trans isomers. These are the most commonly tested examples in JEE Main and Advanced.
10
What is the IUPAC name of cisplatin?
The IUPAC name of cisplatin is cis-diamminedichloridoplatinum(II). The “diammine” indicates two NH3 ligands, “dichlorido” indicates two Cl- ligands, and “platinum(II)” indicates Pt in the +2 oxidation state. The prefix “cis” specifies that both NH3 and both Cl- are on the same side in the square planar geometry.
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