Coordination Number and Geometry of Cerium in [Ce(NO3)6]2–
Coordination Number:
- The coordination number of cerium in [Ce(NO3)6]2– is 12.
- This is because each nitrate ion (NO3–) coordinates to the cerium ion, forming a total of 6 nitrate ligands.
- Each nitrate ion has 3 oxygen atoms that can coordinate to the cerium ion, resulting in a total of 18 oxygen atoms coordinating with cerium.
- Therefore, the coordination number of cerium in this complex is calculated as 6 (from nitrate ligands) + 6 (from oxygen atoms) = 12.
Geometry:
- The geometry of cerium in [Ce(NO3)6]2– is octahedral.
- In an octahedral geometry, the cerium ion is surrounded by 6 nitrate ligands arranged in an octahedral fashion.
- The nitrate ligands are arranged in such a way that the cerium ion is at the center of an octahedron, with each nitrate ligand coordinated to the cerium ion at the corners of the octahedron.
- This arrangement of ligands around the cerium ion results in an octahedral geometry.
In summary, the coordination number of cerium in [Ce(NO3)6]2– is 12, and the geometry is octahedral due to the arrangement of 6 nitrate ligands around the cerium ion in an octahedral fashion.