Amongst the following ions which one has the highest magnetic moment value?

(i) [Cr(H2O)6]3+ (ii) [Fe(H2O)6]2+ (iii) [Zn(H2O)6]2+

(i) Overall charge balance :

X + 6(0) = + 3


X = + 3.


Cr is in + 3 oxidation state.


Electronic configuration:3d3


As water is a weak field ligand ,it does not call pairing up of the electrons. Number of unpaired electron is equal to 3.


Spin only magnetic moment is given by:


μ = [n(n + 2)]1/2


μ = [3×5]1/2


μ = 4BM


(ii) In [Fe(H2O)6]3+


Electronic configuration of Fe is: [Ar]3d64s2


[Ar] = 1s22s22p63s23p6


Electronic configuration of Fe+3 = [Ar]3d5


Outer electronic configuration of Fe+3 = 3d5


Overall charge balance:


X + 6(0) = 3


X = + 3


H2O is weak field ligand so it does not pair the unpaired electron. Total no. of unpaired electron, n = 5.


Spin only magnetic moment is given by:


μ = [n(n + 2)]1/2


μ = [5×7]1/2


μ = 5.916BM


(iii) Overall charge balance:


X + 6(0) = + 2


X = + 2


Electronic configuration:3d10


It has completely filled d orbital, so no. Of unpaired electrons is 0.


μ = 0.


Thus, [Fe(H2O)6]3+ has highest magnetic moment value.


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