ionization isomerism
Quick Summary
Ionization isomerism occurs in coordination compounds where two ionic groups exchange positions inside and outside the primary coordination sphere. These isomers have the same chemical composition but different structural formulas.12
For example, pentaamminebromocobalt sulfate, [CoBr(NH3)5]SO4, and pentaamminesulfatocobalt bromide, [Co(SO4)(NH3)5]Br, are ionization isomers. In the first compound, the bromide ion is coordinated to the cobalt ion, while the sulfate ion is outside. In the second, the sulfate ion is within the coordination sphere, and the bromide ion is outside. This type of isomerism highlights how the arrangement of ions affects the compound's structure and properties.13
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