Question

Name the following coordination complex according to the IUPAC system: [Fe(CO)6) Remember that correct spelling and use of spaces matter in the IUPAC system. 102 103 104 Lr Rf Db Sg Bh Lv Uus U Tb 97 Pu Am Cm Вk Es Fm Md No Answer:

Answer 1

The following IUPAC rules for naming of complex compounds will help to figure out the IUPAC name of the complex $[Fe(CO)_6]$ :

• If the complex compound is ionic (i.e. having cationic and anionic counterparts), then the IUPAC name starts with the name of the cation and ends with the anion (as it is for all ionic compounds).

Since, the complex compound mentioned here, is non-ionic and neutral; has only the coordination sphere, the above rule is not necessary. So, we shall describe the rules for naming such neutral complexes:

• The name of the ligands, following the alphabetical order (if multiple different ligands are present), along with their numbers (i.e. number of those different ligands), are to be written at the earliest, with no spaces (nor any symbols) between them.
• Then the name of the central metal atom (with no modification), and with that the oxidation state, in capital roman letters, of the metal atom (which is zero for such neutral complexes), in a parenthesis beside the name of the metal.

As can be seen! Here,

The ligands are :- CO : carbonyl (ligand name)

Number of them = 6 : hexacarbonyl (for six ligands, hexa is used)

Central metal atom :- Fe : iron (metal name), and oxidation state on Fe = 0 (zero).

Therefore, the IUPAC name is :

Hexacarbonyliron(0)

** There is no space in between the letters, as it should be following the IUPAC rules.