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[NiCl₄]²⁻ and [Ni(CN)₄]²⁻ have the same coordination number 4 but different geometries because:
AThey are not really 4-coordinate
BThey have different oxidation states of Ni
CThey have different temperatures
DCl⁻ is a weak-field ligand → tetrahedral sp³ (paramagnetic); CN⁻ is a strong-field ligand → square planar dsp² (diamagnetic)
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. Cl⁻ is a weak-field ligand → tetrahedral sp³ (paramagnetic); CN⁻ is a strong-field ligand → square planar dsp² (diamagnetic)
Both have Ni²⁺ (d⁸). Difference is **ligand field strength**: **Cl⁻ (weak field) → tetrahedral, sp³, paramagnetic (2 unpaired e⁻)**. **CN⁻ (strong field) → square planar, dsp², diamagnetic**. Classic VBT comparison.
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