Because of the difference in the ionic radius, since Ni (II) is a smaller metal ion with the electronic configuration [ Ar ]3d^8; it has only three main electronic levels (Which means higher density of the positive charge), that’s why it can adapt four Chloride ligands around it forming a tetrahedral structure. While Pt is a larger metal ion with the electronic configuration [ Xe ] 4f^14,5d^8; It has five electronic levels with a completely filled f orbitals (which blocks the positive charge of the nucleus), that’s why it’s too large to adapt the tetrahedral structure so it accommodates the four Chloride ligands as a square planar.

Although Ni and Pt belong to the same family of the periodic table the complexes {NiCl4}2- and {PtCl4}2- differ in colour-geometry and magnetism

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by Mohamed Khedr , Researcher , Helmholtz Center Munich

Because of the difference in the ionic radius, since Ni (II) is a smaller metal ion with the electronic configuration [Ar]3d^8; it has only three main electronic levels (Which means higher density of the positive charge), that’s why it can adapt four Chloride ligands around it forming a tetrahedral structure.

Tetradhedral

While Pt is a larger metal ion with the electronic configuration [Xe] 4f^14,5d^8; It has five electronic levels with a completely filled f orbitals (which blocks the positive charge of the nucleus), that’s why it’s too large to adapt the tetrahedral structure so it accommodates the four Chloride ligands as a square planar.

Square Planar