Question 46

The correct order of ligands arranged in increasing field strength.

We need to find the correct order of ligands arranged in increasing field strength according to the spectrochemical series.

The spectrochemical series (increasing field strength) is:

$$I^- < Br^- < S^{2-} < Cl^- < N_3^- < F^- < OH^- < ox^{2-} < H_2O < NCS^- < CH_3CN < py < NH_3 < en < bipy < phen < NO_2^- < PPh_3 < CN^- < CO < NO^+$$

Check each option:

Option A: $$F^- < Br^- < I^- < NH_3$$ - Incorrect. The order among halides is $$I^- < Br^- < Cl^- < F^-$$, not $$F^- < Br^- < I^-$$.

Option B: $$Br^- < F^- < H_2O < NH_3$$ - This follows the spectrochemical series correctly: $$Br^-$$ is weaker than $$F^-$$, $$F^-$$ is weaker than $$H_2O$$, and $$H_2O$$ is weaker than $$NH_3$$. This is correct.

Option C: $$H_2O < OH^- < CN^- < NH_3$$ - Incorrect. $$CN^-$$ is a stronger field ligand than $$NH_3$$, so $$NH_3 < CN^-$$, not $$CN^- < NH_3$$.

Option D: $$Cl^- < OH^- < Br^- < CN^-$$ - Incorrect. $$Br^-$$ is a weaker field ligand than $$Cl^-$$, so $$Br^-$$ should come before $$Cl^-$$.

The correct answer is Option B.

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