Question

Which ligand is stronger based on the spectrochemical series?

• A. Thiocyanate
• B. Cyanide
• C. Both equally strong
• D. Neither is strong

Hint:

In the spectrochemical series, cyanide is a stronger ligand than thiocyanate. Strong-field ligands cause greater splitting of the d-orbitals.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the spectrochemical series.
The spectrochemical series arranges ligands according to the strength of the field they generate. Ligands that generate a strong field lead to greater splitting of the d-orbitals in the metal center.
Step 2: Comparison of thiocyanate and cyanide.
- Cyanide (CN\(^-\)) is a strong-field ligand and can cause a larger splitting of the d-orbitals, making it stronger. - Thiocyanate (SCN\(^-\)) is a weaker field ligand compared to cyanide.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Therefore, cyanide is the stronger ligand, corresponding to option (B).

Answer 2

Step 1: The spectrochemical series ranks ligands by how strongly they split a metal's d-orbitals.

Step 2: Cyanide (CN⁻) is a strong-field ligand and causes a large split.

Step 3: Thiocyanate (SCN⁻) is a weaker-field ligand by comparison.

Step 4: So cyanide is the stronger ligand — option (B).

Answer 3

Recall the spectrochemical series: The standard weak-to-strong field order runs roughly iodide, bromide, thiocyanate, chloride, then further along water, ammonia, ethylenediamine, and cyanide near the very strong end. Cyanide sits at the strong-field end of this list, well past thiocyanate, which sits closer to the weak-field end alongside the halides. Reading straight off this memorized order settles it without recalculating anything: cyanide is stronger, option (B).