JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3cc029
Assertion: Tetrahedral complexes of first-row transition metals are almost always high spin. Reason: For the same metal and ligands Δt≈94Δo, which is usually smaller than the pairing energy.
ABoth Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion
BBoth Assertion and Reason are true, but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion
CAssertion is true but Reason is false
DAssertion is false but Reason is true
Answer: A
With Δt≈0.44Δo, the splitting rarely exceeds the pairing energy, so electrons occupy the upper t2 set singly rather than pair in the e set. The Reason therefore explains the Assertion, and both are true.