If one [CuL6]2+ is blue and another is green, which would be expected to have the higher value of Δ₀?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for an explanation of the relationship between the color of two different cobalt complexes and their corresponding energy values of Δ₀. It also wants to understand the implications of these observations in the context of crystal field theory.
Answer
Green complex has higher Δ₀.
The green [CuL₆]²⁺ complex is expected to have the higher value of Δ₀.
Answer for screen readers
The green [CuL₆]²⁺ complex is expected to have the higher value of Δ₀.
More Information
A higher Δ₀ corresponds to absorbing higher energy (shorter wavelength) light. The green complex absorbs red light, which is higher in energy than the orange light absorbed by the blue complex.
Tips
A common mistake is to confuse the color seen with the color absorbed—remember, the observed color is complementary to the absorbed one.
Sources
- Colors of Coordination Complexes - Chemistry LibreTexts - chem.libretexts.org
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