CAIE A Level Chemistry 9701 · Chemistry of transition elements

Chemistry of transition elements: describe question

Describe7 marksChallenge

The anticancer drug cisplatin is the cis isomer of the square planar complex [Pt(NHX3)X2ClX2]\ce{[Pt(NH3)2Cl2]}. Its trans isomer is not used as a drug.

Describe the stereoisomerism shown by [Pt(NHX3)X2ClX2]\ce{[Pt(NH3)2Cl2]}, and explain why the trans isomer is non-polar while the cis isomer is polar.

0 words · 7 marks

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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.

Describe means: Say what happens or what something is like, in order and with detail. You are not being asked why. If there is data, quote it: name the trend, then give figures with units at the points where it changes.

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