Q.
NiCl2{P(C2H5)2(C6H5)}2 exhibits temperature dependent magnetic behaviour (paramagnetic/diamagnetic) the coordination geometries of Ni2+ in the paramagnetic and diamagnetic states respectively, are
In the given complex NiCl2{P(C2H5)2(C6H5)}2 nickel is in + 2 oxidation state and the ground state electronic configuration of Ni2+ ions in free gaseous state is
For the given four coordinated complex to be paramagnetic, it must possess unpaired electrons in the valence shell. To satisfy this condition, four lone pairs from the four ligands occupies the four sp3− hybrid orbitals as :
Therefore, geometry of paramagnetic complex must be tetrahedral. On the otherhand, for complex to be diamagnetic, there should not be any unpaired electrons in the valence shell.
This condition can be fulfilled by pairing electrons of 3r/-orbitals against Hund's rule as
The above electronic arrangement gives dsp2− hybridisation and therefore, square planar geometry to the complex.