Question:

The one that will show optical activity is :
(en = ethane-1,2-diamine)

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Look for an octahedral complex with no plane of symmetry: only option (3), \([M(en)A_2B_2]\)-type with all positions differentiated, has no mirror plane.
Updated On: Nov 5, 2026
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Each option is an octahedral complex drawn in the usual perspective rectangle (opposite corners of the rectangle are trans; the top and bottom ligands are trans).
Option (1): axial A and B; equatorial corners A, B, B, A. A at top-left is trans to A at bottom-right, and B at top-right is trans to B at bottom-left: this is mer-\(\mathrm{MA_3B_3}\). It has a mirror plane, so it is achiral.
Option (2): trans-\(\mathrm{[M(en)_2A_2]}\): two en in the equatorial plane and A above and below; it has several mirror planes: achiral.
Option (4): \(\mathrm{MA_2B_4}\) with A trans to A: highly symmetric, achiral.
Option (3): \(\mathrm{[M(en)A_2B_2]}\) with en spanning the right edge (two adjacent positions), A at top-left and axial top, B at bottom-left and axial bottom. No mirror plane maps the complex onto itself: every plane that contains the en-bonded positions or the axial pair would exchange an A with a B. The molecule and its mirror image are non-superimposable, so it shows optical activity.
Answer: (3)
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