Magnetic moment of [MnCl4]2– is 5.92 BM. Explain giving reason.

A magnetic moment of 5.92 BM means there are 5 unpaired electrons because

Magnetic Moment = √ n(n+2)


There are four ligands attached to Mn2+ so the geometry has to be either square planar(dsp2) or tetrahedral(sp3). It can’t be square planar because all the five d orbitals in Mn2+ are singly filled and not vacant. So, this means the geometry is tetrahedral with 5 unpaired electrons giving a magnetic moment of 5.92 BM.


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