What is the condensed electronic configuration for Co3+ in the gas phase?

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We start by identifying the question: What is the condensed electronic configuration for Co3+ in the gas phase? The key facts: neutral cobalt is [Ar] 3d7 4s2. When it forms Co3+, three electrons are removed. In transition metals, the 4s electrons are typically removed first, followed by 3d electrons if needed, giving the most stable remaining configuration.

Option a: [Ar] 4s2 3d7. This suggests no removal of 4s electrons and retains the 4s2 and 3d7 setup. However, forming Co3+ requires loss of three electrons, and you would not retain both 4s2 and all 3d7 electrons in a +3 oxidation state. This option incorrectly implies the oxidation state and electron count.

Option b: [Ar] 3d7. This shows all 4s electrons removed, leaving 3d7. But removing three electrons from Co neutral [Ar] 3d7 4s2 would typically leave fewer 3d electrons or at least not strictly 3d7 in the +3 state; the conventional removal sequence yields a different d-electron count after three removals.

Option c: [Ar] 4s2 3d5. This would correspond to a +2 oxidation state with the 4s2 still present and two 3d electrons removed, which does not match Co3+. It misallocates the electrons removed for a +3 state.

Option d: [Ar] 3d6. This configuration results from removing the two 4s electrons and one 3d electron from the neutral [Ar] 3d7 4s2, giving [Ar] 3d6, which is the expected electron count for Co3+ in the gas phase.

Option e: [Ar] 4s2 3d4. This suggests a loss pattern that keeps both 4s electrons but reduces 3d to 4, which would not correspond to Co3+; it implies an incorrect distribution of electrons for the +3 state.

Putting it together, the most plausible and standard condensed configuration for Co3+ in the gas phase is [Ar] 3d6, since the two 4s electrons are removed first and an additional 3d electron is removed to achieve the +3 oxidation state. The other options either fail to reflect the expected loss sequence (removal of 4s first) or imply an incorrect d-electron count for Co3+.

CHM1052 - MUM S2 2025 Week 7: Preparation quiz

What is the condensed electronic configuration for Co3+ in the gas phase?

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