CAIE A Level Chemistry 9701 · Chemistry of transition elements
A square planar complex has the formula . One isomer of this complex is polar, while the other isomer is non-polar.
Explain, in terms of the positions of the ligands, why one isomer is polar and the other is non-polar. In your answer, name the type of isomerism involved and state which isomer is polar and which is non-polar.
7 marks, so the mark scheme is looking for about 7 separate creditworthy points. Making the same point twice in different words earns it once.
Explain means: Give the reasons or the mechanism: why or how something happens. Link each point to the next with because, so or which means. A list of facts with no links usually loses the reasoning marks.
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