(a) Draw possible stereoisomers for the trigonal bipyramidal [SiF3Me2]_ anion (Me ¼ CH3). An
X-ray diffraction study of a salt of [SiF3Me2]. shows that two F atoms occupy axial sites. Suggest why this stereoisomer is preferred over the other possible structures that you have drawn.
(b) Account for the fact that members of the series of complexes [PtCl4]2, [PtCl3(PMe3)]–, [PtCl2(PMe3)2] and [PtCl(PMe3)3]þ do not possess the same number of stereoisomers.