Geometry of Co(NH3)4Cl2+

[sniderwes]

This practice question from my book says that this cation would end up being octahedral, which would mean that it has 6 bonds or lone pairs.

However, Co has 9 electrons in its 4s and 3d shells, so the cation has 8 electrons to work with. Wouldn't it have 6 bonds+1 lone pair to equal the 8 electrons? 6 bonds only gives you 6 electrons, what happened to the other 2 electrons according to their answer?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[syoung]

 

[sniderwes]

But syoung, Co+ has 8 "outer" electrons from its 4s and 3d shells...6 bonds would only account for 6 of them.

 

[syoung]

The 2 in the 4S should be core, not valence.