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$[\mathrm{Ni(CO)_4}]$ is tetrahedral and diamagnetic. The oxidation state of nickel in this complex is
A$0$
B$+1$
C$+2$
D$+4$
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. $0$
1. $[\mathrm{Ni(CO)_4}]$ is a NEUTRAL molecule.
2. CO (carbonyl) is a neutral ligand — contributes 0 charge.
3. So: $x + 4(0) = 0 \Rightarrow x = 0$. Nickel is in the ZERO oxidation state.
4. This is a METAL CARBONYL (NCERT §5.7) — an important class of coordination compounds with low or zero oxidation state metals stabilised by $\pi$-backbonding from filled metal d-orbitals into empty CO $\pi^*$ orbitals.
5. Ni$^0$ has configuration $3d^{10}$ (taking 4s electrons into 3d) — fully paired, so DIAMAGNETIC, consistent with experiment.
6. The complex is famous as the volatile intermediate in the Mond process for nickel purification.
7. Options B–D would require ligand-derived charge that CO doesn't have.
_Source: NCERT Class 12 Chemistry Part 1, Ch 5, §5.7 (Bonding in metal carbonyls — Ni(CO)$_4$ example), p. 16._
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