Chapter 21, Problem 49E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The optically active compound between $cis-\text{Cr}{\left(\text{acac}\right)}_{\text{2}}{\left({\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\right)}_{\text{2}}$, $trans-\text{Cr}{\left(\text{acac}\right)}_{\text{2}}{\left({\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\right)}_{\text{2}}$ and $\text{Cr}{\left(\text{acac}\right)}_{\text{3}}$ is to be identified.

Concept introduction: The following are the conditions for the optically active compounds,

• The compound should not have plane symmetry.
• The compound should not have center of symmetry.
• The mirror image of the compound should be non-superimposable.

If plane passes through the molecule and the molecule is divided into two equal halves, then the molecule is said to have plane symmetry. Normally, trans complex compounds show plane of symmetry.

A point is said to be the center of symmetry, if same molecules are present in the opposite direction to each other.

A molecule is said to be non-superimposable, if its mirror image does not overlap each other completely.

To determine: The optically active compound between $cis-\text{Cr}{\left(\text{acac}\right)}_{\text{2}}{\left({\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\right)}_{\text{2}}$, $trans-\text{Cr}{\left(\text{acac}\right)}_{\text{2}}{\left({\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\right)}_{\text{2}}$ and $\text{Cr}{\left(\text{acac}\right)}_{\text{3}}$.