COMPLEX IONS Compounds in which metal ion is surrounded by a group of anions or neutral molecules.
Mar 27, 2015
COMPLEX IONS
Compounds in which metal ion is surrounded by a group
of anions or neutral molecules.
Metal Ions. . . do not exist in isolation. are accompanied by anions whose
negative charge balances the positive charge of metal ion, producing neutral compounds.
have empty valence orbitals therefore act as electron pair acceptors.
Metal Ions. . . act as Lewis acids.
Anions or molecules with unshared pairs of electrons can act as Lewis bases and bind to metal center.
ability to form complexes increases positive charge increases and size decreases. Weakest complexes formed by alkali metals. 2+ and 3+ ions of transition elements show
greatest tendency to form complexes. Cr 3+ forms more stable complexes than does Al 3+
Ligands. . . Molecules or ions surrounding the metal
ion. Are known as complexing agents. Normally either anions or polar molecules.
Must have at least one unshared pair of valence electrons. Therefore act as electron pair donors/Lewis
bases.
Coordination Sphere. . .
The central metal and the ligands.
[Cu(NH3)4]SO4
Placed inside brackets to set it off from other parts of the compound.
Complex Ions. . . Metal ions in water, the ligand is
water. In aqueous solution, ligands such as SCN-
and CN- replace H2O in the coordination sphere.
Different properties than metal or ligands. Color. Oxidation state stabilized. Reduction
potentials change.
Charge. . . Is the sum of the charges on the
central metal and surrounding ligands.
[Cu(NH3)4]SO4SO4 = 2- (charge of the polyatomic ion)
NH3 = 0 (molecule therefore no charge)
Cu = 2+ (based on what is needed to balance the charges)
Practice determining charges 1. What is the oxidation number of the
central metal in [Co(NH3)5Cl](NO3)2? 2. What is the charge of the complex
formed by a platinum (V) metal ion surrounded by three ammonia molecules and three bromide ions? Write the formula for this complex ion.
3. Given that a complex ion contains a chromium (III) bound to four water molecules and two chloride ions, write its formula.
Nomenclature. . . [Co(NH3)5Cl]Cl2
In naming salts, the name of the cation is given before the name of the anion.
[Co(NH3)5Cl]2+ Cl-
Ligands are named before the metal. [Co(NH3)5Cl]2+
Ligands named in alphabetical order. Do not consider charge or prefix. In writing formula, metal is written first.
Anionic ligands end in the letter o. Others bear the name of the molecule.
Ligand Ligand NameAzide,N3
- azido
Bromide, Br- bromoChloride,Cl- chloroCyanide, CN- cyanoHydroxide, OH- hydroxoCarbonate,CO3
2- carbonato
Oxalate, C2O4 2- oxalato
Neutral Molecules. . .
Ligand Ligand NameAmmonia, NH3 ammine
Ethylenediamine, en ethylenediamineWater,H2O aqua
CH3NH2 methylamine
CO carbonylNO nitrosyl
A Greek prefix is used to indicate the number and kind of each ligand when more than one is present.
[Co(NH3)5Cl]Cl2Pentaammine
If the name of the ligand contains a prefix, then the name of the ligand is enlosed in parentheses. Alternate prefixes are used bis-, tris-, tetrakis, petakis-, and hexakis for the name enclosed in the parentheses.
[Co(en)3]Cl3
Tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt (III)
Monodentate LigandUnidentate Ligand Form one bond to the metal ion.
H2O NH3
NO2-
SCN-
OH-
X- (halides)
Bidentate Ligand Form two bonds to the metal
ion. . . Oxalate Ethylenediamine
Use bis-, tris-, tetrakis-, etc.
If the complex is an anion, its name ends in –ate: K4[Fe(CN)6] The suffix –ate is added to the latin stem.
[Fe(CN)6] 4- hexacyanoferrate (II) ion.
K4[Fe(CN)6] Iron Ferrate Copper cuprate Lead plumbate Silver argenate Gold aurate Tin stannate
The oxidation number of the metal is given in parentheses in Roman numerals following the name of the metal.
hexacyanoferrate (II)Tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt (III)
Practice. . .[Ni(C5H5N)6]Br2
[Co(NH3)4(H2O)CN]Cl2
Na2[MoOCl4]
Na[Al(OH)4]
Hexapyridinenickel(II)bromide
Tetraammineaquacyanocobalt(III)chloride
Sodium tetrachlorooxomolybdate(IV)
Sodium tetrahydroxoaluminate