JEE Main 2024 — Coordination Compounds Question with Solution

Answer: Option D - Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.

Explanation:

Statement I: $$\mathrm{N}{\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\right)}_3$$ (trimethylamine) and $$\mathrm{P}{\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\right)}_3$$ (trimethylphosphine) can indeed act as ligands to form transition metal complexes. Ligands are molecules or ions that can donate a pair of electrons to a metal atom to form a coordinate bond. Both nitrogen and phosphorus have lone pairs of electrons that can be donated to transition metals, making $$\mathrm{N}{\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\right)}_3$$ and $$\mathrm{P}{\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\right)}_3$$ suitable ligands. Therefore, Statement I is correct.

Statement II: While N (Nitrogen) and P (Phosphorus) are both from group 15 of the periodic table and share some similar properties, the nature of their bonding with transition metals is not always the same. Nitrogen compounds typically form stronger bonds with metals compared to phosphorus compounds. This difference is due to several factors, including the difference in atomic sizes, electronegativity, and the extent of orbital overlap. Nitrogen, being smaller and more electronegative, can form more effective overlap and stronger bonds with metals compared to phosphorus. Therefore, Statement II is incorrect.

Given this analysis, the most appropriate answer is Option D: Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.