CBSE Class 12 Chemistry HOTs Coordination Compounds

Check out CBSE Class 12 Chemistry HOTs Coordination Compounds right here. Get complete High Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) questions and answers for Class 12 Chemistry Unit 5 Coordination Compounds. Created for the 2026-27 exam session, these analytical practice problems help learners master core ideas while following guidelines from CBSE, NCERT, and KVS.

Analytical Questions: Unit 5 Coordination Compounds (Class 12 Chemistry)

Practicing Class 12 Chemistry HOTS Questions is important for scoring high in Chemistry. Use the detailed answers provided below to improve your problem-solving speed and Class 12 exam readiness.

Download HOTS: Unit 5 Coordination Compounds (Class 12 Chemistry)

Question. The correct order of the stoichiometries of AgCl formed when AgNO3 in excess is treated with the complexes : CoCl3.6NH3, CoCl3.5NH3, CoCl3.4NH3 respectively is
(a) 3AgCl, 1AgCl, 2AgCl
(b) 3AgCl, 2AgCl, 1AgCl
(c) 2AgCl, 3AgCl, 2AgCl
(d) 1AgCl, 3AgCl, 2AgCl
Answer. B

Question. Cobalt(III) chloride forms several octahedral complexes with ammonia. Which of the following will not give test for chloride ions with silver nitrate at 25°C?
(a) CoCl3 · 5NH3
(b) CoCl3 · 6NH3
(c) CoCl3 · 3NH3
(d) CoCl3  · 4NH3
Answer. C

Question. An excess of AgNO3 is added to 100 mL of a 0.01 M solution of dichlorotetraaquachromium(III) chloride.The number of moles of AgCl precipitated would be
(a) 0.003
(b) 0.01
(c) 0.001
(d) 0.002
Answer. C

Question. Which of the following will exhibit maximum ionic conductivity?
(a) K4[Fe(CN)6]
(b) [Co(NH3)6]Cl3
(c) [Cu(NH3)4]Cl2
(d) [Ni(CO)4] 
Answer. A

Question. A coordination complex compound of cobalt has the molecular formula containing five ammonia molecules, one nitro group and two chlorine atoms for one cobalt atom. One mole of this compound produces three mole ions in an aqueous solution.On reacting this solution with excess of AgNO3 solution, we get two moles of AgCl precipitate. The ionic formula for this complex would be
(a) [Co(NH3)5(NO2)]Cl2
(b) [Co(NH3)5Cl][Cl(NO2)]
(c) [Co(NH3)4(NO2)Cl][(NH3)Cl]
(d) (Co(NH3)5][(NO2)2Cl2] 
Answer. A

Question. The correct increasing order of trans-effect of the following species is
(a) NH3 > CN– > Br– > C6H5–
(b) CN– > C6H5– > Br– > NH3
(c) Br– > CN– > NH3 > C6H5–
(d) CN– > Br– > C6H5–– > NH3
Answer. B

Question. The sum of coordination number and oxidation number of the metal M in the complex [M(en)2(C2O4)]Cl (where en is ethylenediamine) is
(a) 6
(b) 7
(c) 8
(d) 9
Answer. D

Question. The anion of acetylacetone (acac) forms Co(acac)3 chelate with Co3+. The rings of the chelate are
(a) five membered
(b) four membered
(c) six membered
(d) three membered.
Answer. C

Question. Which of the following statements is true?
(a) Silicon exhibits 4 coordination number in its compound.
(b) Bond energy of F2 is less than Cl2.
(c) Mn(III) oxidation state is more stable than Mn(II) in aqueous state.
(d) Elements of 15th gp shows only +3 and +5 oxidation states. 
Answer. B

Question. Coordination number of Ni in [Ni(C2O4)3]4– is
(a) 3
(b) 6
(c) 4
(d) 2 
Answer. B

Question. The coordination number and oxidation state of Cr in K3[Cr(C2O4)3] are respectively
(a) 3 and + 3
(b) 3 and 0
(c) 6 and + 3
(d) 4 and + 2
Answer. C

Question. Which of the following ligands is expected to be bidentate?
(a) CH3NH2
(b) CH3C N
(c) Br
(d) C2O4
Answer. D

Question. The name of complex ion, [Fe(CN)6]3– is
(a) hexacyanitoferrate(III) ion
(b) tricyanoferrate(III) ion
(c) hexacyanidoferrate(III) ion
(d) hexacyanoiron(III) ion. 
Answer. C

Question. The correct IUPAC name for [CrF2(en)2]Cl is
(a) chlorodifluoridoethylenediaminechromium (III) chloride
(b) difluoridobis(ethylene diamine)chromium (III) chloride
(c) difluorobis-(ethylene diamine)chromium (III) chloride
(d) chlorodifluoridobis(ethylene diamine) chromium (III). 
Answer. B

Question. The hypothetical complex chlorodiaquatriammine cobalt(III) chloride can be represented as
(a) [CoCl(NH3)3(H2O)2]Cl2
(b) [Co(NH3)3(H2O)Cl3]
(c) [Co(NH2)3(H2O)2Cl]
(d) [Co(NH3)3(H2O)3]Cl3
Answer. A

Question. IUPAC name of [Pt(NH3)3(Br)(NO2)Cl]Cl is
(a) triamminebromochloronitroplatinum(IV) chloride
(b) triamminebromonitrochloroplatinum(IV) chloride
(c) triamminechlorobromonitroplatinum(IV) chloride
(d) triamminenitrochlorobromoplatinum(IV) chloride. 
Answer. A

Question. The type of isomerism shown by the complex [CoCl2(en)2] is
(a) geometrical isomerism
(b) coordination isomerism
(c) ionization isomerism
(d) linkage isomerism. 
Answer. A

Question. Number of possible isomers for the complex [Co(en)2Cl2]Cl will be (en = ethylenediamine)
(a) 1
(b) 3
(c) 4
(d) 2 
Answer. B

Question. The complexes [Co(NH3)6][Cr(CN)6] and [Cr(NH3)6][Co(CN)6] are the examples of which type of isomerism?
(a) Linkage isomerism
(b) Ionization isomerism
(c) Coordination isomerism
(d) Geometrical isomerism 
Answer. C

Question. The complex, [Pt(py)(NH3)BrCl] will have how many geometrical isomers?
(a) 3
(b) 4
(c) 0
(d) 2 
Answer. A

Question. The existence of two different coloured complexes with the composition of [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ is due to
(a) linkage isomerism
(b) geometrical isomerism
(c) coordination isomerism
(d) ionization isomerism. 
Answer. B

Question. Which one of the following complexes is not expected to exhibit isomerism?
(a) [Ni(NH3)4(H2O)2]2+
(b) [Pt(NH3)2Cl2]
(c) [Ni(NH3)2Cl2]
(d) [Ni(en)3]2+ 
Answer. C

Question. Which of the following does not show optical isomerism?
(a) [Co(NH3)3Cl3]0
(b) [Co(en)Cl2(NH3)2]+
(c) [Co(en)3]3+
(d) [Co(en)2Cl2]+(en = ethylenediamine) 
Answer. A

Question. Which of the following will give a pair of enantiomorphs?
(a) [Cr(NH3)6][Co(CN)6]
(b) [Co(en)2Cl2]Cl
(c) [Pt(NH3)4][PtCl6]
(d) [Co(NH3)4Cl2]NO2
(en = NH2CH2CH2NH2) 
Answer. B

Question. [Co(NH3)4(NO2)2]Cl exhibits
(a) linkage isomerism, geometrical isomerism and optical isomerism
(b) linkage isomerism, ionization isomerism and optical isomerism
(c) linkage isomerism, ionization isomerism and geometrical isomerism
(d) ionization isomerism, geometrical isomerism and optical isomerism.
Answer. C

Question. Which one of the following is expected to exhibit optical isomerism? (en = ethylenediamine)
(a) cis-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2]
(b) trans-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2]
(c) cis-[Co(en)2Cl2]+
(d) trans-[Co(en)2Cl2]+
Answer. C

Question. Which of the following coordination compounds would exhibit optical isomerism?
(a) Pentaamminenitrocobalt(III) iodide
(b) Diamminedichloroplatinum(II)
(c) trans-Dicyanobis(ethylenediamine) chromium(III) chloride
(d) tris-(Ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) bromide
Answer. D

Question. Which of the following will give maximum number of isomers?
(a) [Co(NH3)4Cl2]
(b) [Ni(en)(NH3)4]2+
(c) [Ni(C2O4)(en)2]2–
(d) [Cr(SCN)2(NH3)4]+
Answer. D

Question. Which complex compound will give four isomers?
(a) [Fe(en)3]Cl3
(b) [Co(en)2Cl2]Cl
(c) [Fe(PPh3)3NH3ClBr]Cl
(d) [Co(PPh3)3Cl]Cl3 
Answer. C

Question. The total number of possible isomers for the complex compound [CuII(NH3)4][PtIICl4] are
(a) 5
(b) 6
(c) 3
(d) 4 
Answer. D

Question. The number of geometrical isomers of the complex [Co(NO2)3(NH3)3] is
(a) 4
(b) 0
(c) 2
(d) 3 
Answer. C

Question. The number of geometrical isomers for [Pt(NH3)2Cl2] is
(a) 3
(b) 4
(c) 1
(d) 2
Answer. D

Question. Which of the following is the correct order of increasing field strength of ligands to form coordination compounds?
(a) SCN– < F– < C2O42– < CN–
(b) SCN– < F– < CN– < C2O42–
(c) F– < SCN– < C2O42– < CN–
(d) CN– < C2O42– < SCN– < F– 
Answer. A

Question. Aluminium chloride in acidified aqueous solution forms a complex ‘A’, in which hybridisation state of Al is ‘B’. What are ‘A’ and ‘B’, respectively ?
(a) [Al(H2O)6]3+, sp3d2
(b) [Al(H2O)4]3+, sp3
(c) [Al(H2O)4]3+, dsp2
(d) [Al(H2O)6]3+, d2sp3
Answer. A

Question. The crystal field stabilisation energy (CFSE) for [CoCl6]4– is 18000 cm–1. The CFSE for [CoCl4]2– will be
(a) 6000 cm–1
(b) 16000 cm–1
(c) 18000 cm–1
(d) 8000 cm–1
Answer. D

 

1 Mark Questions

1. Write the IUPAC name of the complex Na3[Cr(OH)2F4].

2. Write the IUPAC name of [CO(en)2Cl(ONO)]+

3. Which of these cannot act as ligand and why: NH3, H2O, CO, CH4. Give reason?

4. NH3 is strong ligand NH4+ ion is not, why?

5. Which of the two is more stable K4[Fe(CN)6] or K3[Fe(CN)6].

 

2 / 3 Mark Questions

1. A coordination compound has a formula (CoCl3. 4NH3). It does not liberate NH3 but precipitates chloride ion as AgCl. Give the IUPAC name of the complex and write its structural formula.

2. How is stability of co-ordination compounds determined in aqueous solution? Select a complex formation reaction and write an expression for the stability constant of the complex. Mention the factors affecting stability of complexes.

3. Why do tetrahedral complex not show geometrical isomerism?

4. Write the correct formula for the following co-ordination compounds.

CrCl3 . 6H2O (Violet, with 3 Chloride ions/ Unit formula)

CrCl3 . 6H2O (Light green colour with 2 Chloride ions/ unit formula)

CrCl3 . 6H2O (Dark green colour, with 1 Chloride ion/ unit formula)

5. Aqueous copper sulphate solution (blue in colour) gives:

a. a green precipitate with aqueous potassium flouride

b. a bright green solution with aqueous potassium chloride. Explain these experimental results.

6. Identify complexes with different geometries depending upon the type of hybridization.

(a) [Co (NH3)6]3+ (b) [CoF6]3-

7. One mole of complex compound Co(NH3)5Cl3 gives 3 moles of ions on dissolution in water. One mole of same complex reacts with 2 moles of AgCl(s). What is the structure of the complex and write its formula.

8. When an aquous solution of Nickel (II) chloride is mixed with ethane-1,2 diamine(en) in the molar ratios en : Ni=1:1, 2:1 and 3:1, the green coloured solution finally turns violet. Explain the chemical reactions based on the data provided.

 

1 - MARK QUESTIONS
 
1.Why do tetrahedral complex not show geometrical isomerism? 1
 
2. Why does the colour changes on heating [Ti(H2O)6]3+ 1
 
3. [Fe(H2O)6]3+ is strongly paramagnetic whereas [Fe(CN)6]3- is weakly paramagnetic. Explain. 1
 
4. What happens when potassium ferrocyanide solution is added to a ferric salt solution?
 
 
2 - MARKS QUESTIONS
 
5. A coordination compound has a formula (CoCl3. 4NH3). It does not liberate NH3 but precipitates chloride ion as AgCl. Give the IUPAC name of the complex and write its structural formula. 2
 
6. Write the correct formula for the following co-ordination compounds.
CrCl3 . 6H2O (Violet, with 3 Chloride ions/ Unit formula)
CrCl3 . 6H2O (Light green colour with 2 Chloride ions/ unit formula)
 
7. Give the electronic configuration of the d-orbitals of Ti in [Ti (H2O) 6]3+ ion in an octahedral crystal field. 2
 
8. Co(II) is stable in aqueous solution but in the presence of strong ligands and air,  it can get oxidized to Co(III). (Atomic Number of cobalt is 27). Explain. 2
 
9. Give a chemical test to distinguish between [Co(NH3)5Br]SO4 and [Co(NH3)5Br]SO4Br. Name the type of isomerism exhibited by these compounds. 2
 
10. What is the coordination entity formed when excess of aqueous KCN is added to an aqueous solution of copper sulphate? Why is that no precipitate of copper sulphate is obtained when H2S (g) is passed through this solution?
 
 
3 - MARKS QUESTIONS
 
11. . Aqueous copper sulphate solution (blue in colour) gives a green precipitate with aqueous potassium fluoride, a bright green solution with aqueous potassium chloride. Explain these experimental results. 3
 
12. A metal complex having the composition Cr(NH)4Cl2Br has been isolated in two forms, A and B. The form A reacts with AgNO3 solution to give a white precipitate readily soluble in dilute aqueous ammonia whereas B give a pale yellow precipitate soluble in concentrated ammonia solution. Write the formulae of A and B and write their IUPAC names. 3
 
13. Explain the following
i. All octahedral complexes of Ni2+
must be outer orbital complexes.
ii. NH4+ ion does not form any complex
iii. (SCN)-1 ion is involved in linkage isomerism in co-ordination compounds. 3
 
14. A metal ion Mn+ having d4 valence electronic configuration combines with three didentate ligands to form complexes. Assuming Δo > P Draw the diagram showing d orbital splitting during this complex formation
Write the electronic configuration of the valence electrons of the metal Mn+ ion in terms of t2g and eg.
What type of the hybridization will Mn+ ion have? Name the type of isomerism exhibited by this complex. 3
 
15. The coordination no. of Ni2+ is 4.
NiCl2 + KCN(excess) → A( a cyano complex )
A + Conc HCl(excess) → B ( a chloro complex )
i. Write IUPAC name of A and B
ii. Predict the magnetic nature of A and B
iii. Write hybridization of Ni in A and B 3
 
16. Explain the following
i. Cu(OH)2 is soluble in ammonium hydroxide but not in sodium hydroxide
solution.
ii. EDTA is used to cure lead poisoning
iii. Blue coloured solution of [CoCl4
2-] changes to pink on reaction with HgCl2

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Advanced Practice HOTS for Class 12 Chemistry Unit 5 Coordination Compounds

HOTS for Unit 5 Coordination Compounds Chemistry Class 12

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