Why does the colour of a complex often change when its ligands are exchanged?

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Question

Why does the colour of a complex often change when its ligands are exchanged?

Accepted Answer

Different ligands split the d orbitals by different amounts — Award 1 mark. The energy gap between the split d orbitals depends on the ligand, so a different wavelength of light is absorbed and a different colour is seen.

Answer

The central metal atom is replaced by a new metal

Answer

Different ligands split the d orbitals by different amounts

Answer

The oxidation state of the metal always doubles

Answer

New ligands change the number of protons in the metal

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