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How are cis and trans isomers of diamminedichloroplatinum arranged differently?
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coordination compound
Coordination compounds contain a central metal atom surrounded by nonmetal atoms or groups of atoms, called ligands. For example, vitamin B12 is made up of a central metallic cobalt ion bound to multiple nitrogen-containing ligands.
In coordination compounds, cis-trans (geometric) isomerism refers to the different spatial arrangements of ligands around a central metal atom. For the compound diamminedichloroplatinum, the isomers are distinguished as follows:
- Cis isomer: The two ammonia molecules and the two chlorine atoms are situated next to one another.1
- Trans isomer: The identical ligands are positioned across from one another.1
These terms derive from Latin, with cis meaning "on this side" and trans meaning "on the other side".1