Question

The complex ion PdCl₄^2- is diamagnetic. Propose a structure PdCl₄^2-.

Short answer

PdCl₄^2-has a square planar geometry.

Step-by-step solution

Why PdCl42- is diamagnetic in nature?

In this complex, the metal ion (Pd) has a +2 charge. Since Pd is 4d transition element, it will have larger repulsion with the incoming ligands, leading to higher CFSE value and hence the electrons will go for pairing. Irrespective of the nature of ligands, the electrons will go for pairing in such case. Thus,PdCl₄^2- is diamagnetic in nature.

Step2

Since in PdCl₄^2-, because of the high effective nuclear charge of Ni²⁺, Cl also acts a strong field ligand so, PdCl₄^2- forms square planar complexes.