Lesson 15A.4

15A.4 Shapes of complexes and cis-platin Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Chemistry, Unit 15

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 15A.4, Shapes of complexes and cis-platin: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Chemistry (9CH0), Unit 15: Transition Metals, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What shape do six-coordinate complexes with H2O, OH- or NH3 ligands usually adopt?

    • Octahedral
    • Linear
    • Square planar
    • Tetrahedral

  2. What shape do four-coordinate complexes with large ligands such as Cl- usually adopt?

    • Linear
    • Tetrahedral
    • Octahedral
    • Trigonal bipyramidal

  3. Which type of metal ion commonly forms square planar complexes?

    • Ca2+, a Group 2 ion
    • Ti4+, a d0 ion
    • Na+, an s-block ion
    • Pt2+, a d8 ion

  4. What is the shape of cis-platin, [Pt(NH3)2Cl2]?

    • Linear
    • Tetrahedral
    • Square planar
    • Octahedral

  5. What does the term cis mean in cis-platin?

    • The two identical ligands are adjacent, at 90 degrees to each other
    • The two identical ligands are opposite each other at 180 degrees
    • The two identical ligands bridge between two platinum atoms
    • The two identical ligands are both above the metal plane

  6. Why is cis-platin supplied as a single isomer rather than a mixture with trans-platin?

    • The trans form is far less active as an anticancer drug
    • The trans form is more active and more toxic, so the mixture would be safer
    • The trans form does not contain platinum
    • The mixture would have a coordination number of 6

  7. How many geometric isomers does a square planar complex of type [MA2B2] have?

    • 4, one for each ligand
    • 1, because all arrangements are identical
    • 2, the cis and trans isomers
    • 3, because each ligand can be placed in three positions

  8. What is the shape of [Ni(H2O)6]2+?

    • Square planar
    • Octahedral
    • Linear
    • Tetrahedral

  9. What is the molecular geometry of the square planar complex [PtCl4]2-?

    • Tetrahedral
    • Square planar
    • Linear
    • Octahedral

  10. What are the bond angles between adjacent ligands in a square planar complex?

    • 120 degrees
    • 180 degrees for all pairs
    • 109.5 degrees
    • 90 degrees

  11. What are the bond angles between ligands in an octahedral complex?

    • 90 degrees only, with no opposite pairs, since all six ligands sit at the corners of a cube
    • 120 degrees throughout, as in a trigonal planar arrangement of all six ligands
    • 109.5 degrees throughout, as in every tetrahedral arrangement of six ligands
    • 90 degrees between adjacent ligands and 180 degrees between opposite ligands

  12. What is the bond angle in a regular tetrahedral complex?

    • 180 degrees
    • 90 degrees
    • 120 degrees
    • 109.5 degrees

  13. In cis-platin, where are the two chloride ligands relative to each other?

    • Both above the platinum plane in axial positions
    • Bridging between two platinum atoms
    • Adjacent to each other, at 90 degrees
    • Opposite each other at 180 degrees

  14. Which transition metal ion is most likely to form a square planar complex: Pt(II) or Ti(IV)?

    • Ti(IV), a d0 ion
    • Both are equally likely
    • Pt(II), a d8 ion
    • Neither forms complexes

  15. What is the oxidation state of platinum in [Pt(NH3)2Cl2]?

    • +4
    • +2
    • 0
    • +1

  16. Which isomer of [Pt(NH3)2Cl2] is the active anticancer drug?

    • The trans isomer
    • Neither isomer is active
    • The cis isomer
    • Both isomers are equally active

  17. Which pair of compounds are geometric isomers of each other?

    • cis- and trans-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2]
    • [Co(H2O)6]2+ and [CoCl4]2-
    • [Pt(NH3)4]2+ and [PtCl4]2-
    • [Cu(NH3)4]2+ and [Cu(H2O)4]2+

  18. How many geometric isomers does an octahedral complex of type [M(NH3)4Cl2] have?

    • 1, because all arrangements of the four ligands are identical in an octahedron
    • 4, one for each Cl- ligand around the octahedron
    • 2, cis and trans
    • 3, because each Cl- can occupy one of three different positions around the metal

  19. A student predicts that [NiCl4]2- is square planar. Which evaluation is best?

    • Incorrect, because large Cl- ligands favour a tetrahedral geometry for four-coordinate complexes
    • Correct, because all four-coordinate complexes are square planar, whatever ligands are bound
    • Correct, because Ni2+ always forms square planar complexes with any halide ligand present
    • Incorrect, because nickel cannot form four-coordinate complexes of any kind, only six-coordinate ones

  20. Why is the activity of cis-platin linked to its geometry?

    • Geometry is irrelevant because all isomers have identical bonds and identical activity in the body
    • Chloride ligands must be trans for platinum to bind DNA at all, since adjacent sites are blocked
    • The trans arrangement binds DNA more strongly, so it is the active form and is used as the drug
    • The cis arrangement lets two adjacent sites on DNA replace the chloride ligands, forming cross-links

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