Which of the following will show optical isomers?<br>(I) cis-[Co(NH3)2(en)2]^3+<br>(II) trans-[IrCl2 — Coordination Compounds Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Identify that a complex shows optical isomerism if it is chiral and lacks a plane or center of symmetry. Step 2: cis-[Co(NH3)2(en)2]3+ and [Rh(en)3]3+ are asymmetric, helical complexes lacking both planes of symmetry and centers of inversion, making them optically active. In contrast, trans-[IrCl2(C2O4)2]3- and facial cis-[Ir(H2O)3Cl3] possess internal planes of symmetry and are optically inactive. Step 3: Therefore, only complexes I and III show optical isomerism, matching option (a).