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Question

A d-block element forms an octahedral complex but its spin magnetic moment remains the same in the presence of both strong field and weak field ligands. Which of the following is/are correct?

A
It always forms colourless compounds
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B
The number of electrons in t2g orbitals is more than those in eg orbitals
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C
It can have either d3 or d8 configuration
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D
It can have either d7 or d8configuration
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Solution

The correct options are
B The number of electrons in t2g orbitals is more than those in eg orbitals
C It can have either d3 or d8 configuration
The very first thing we need to understand here is that there is no change in magnetic moment when the nature of ligand is changed. This implies that the number of unpaired electrons is not changing with a change in the strength/nature of ligand.
It is possible for the said element to have zero unpaired electrons in case of coordination number six, at a certain oxidation state. This way, the number of unpaired electrons will not change with the strength of the ligand. However, this will not be the case with every oxidation state and hence, it is incorrect to say that the element will always form colorless compounds.
We have been told that the complex formed is octahedral. This means that the degeneracy of d-orbitals is lost due to splitting. There are 3 t2g and 2 eg orbitals. Due to the specific approach of ligands along the axes, we know that t2g orbitals have lower energy than eg orbitals. This means that at any time, the t2g orbitals will have more electrons than eg orbitals (Aufbau's principle).
Consider (in Octahedral geometry)
d3 configuration-
Strong field- 3 unpaired electrons
Weak field- 3 unpaired electrons
d7 configuration-
Strong field- 1 unpaired electron
Weak field- 3 unpaired electrons
d8 configuration-
Strong field- 2 unpaired electrons
Weak field- 2 unpaired electrons

Hence, it can have either d3 or d8 configuration.

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