OBJECTIVE

• To study the physical and chemical properties of coordination compounds.

APPARATUS

• Goggles
• Fume hood
• 100 mL graduated cylinder
• Electronic balance
• Filter paper
• Magnetic stirring plate
• Burner
• Funnel
• Aluminium foil

CHEMICALS

• Solid CuSO4.5H2O and CuCl2.2H2O

• 0.10 M copper sulfate
• 15 M NH3
• 12 M HCl
• 6 M NaOH
• Saturated NaNO2 solution
• 0.10 M K4[Fe(CN)6]
• Solid [Co(H2O)6]Cl2 and [Co(H2O)6](NO3)2
• Ethanol
• 0.10 M CoCl2
• Saturated KSCN solution
PROCEDURE

Copper (II) Complexes

1. The appearance of CuSO4.5H2O and CuCl2.2H2O is observed and recorded. The colour
differences in these two compounds is identified.
2. 0.50 ml of 0.10 M copper sulfate is added to each of six small test tubes. Each of the test
tube is labelled as A, B, C, D, E and F.
3. A few drops of 15 M NH3 is added to test tube A. Then, a few drops of ethylenediamine is
added to test tube B.
4. Next, 12 M HCl is added dropwise to test tube C until the colour changes to a yellow. To
test tube D, 6 M NaOH is added. Precipitate will be formed inside test tube D.
5. 5-10 drops of NaNO2 solution is added to test tube E and a few drops of 0.10 M K4[Fe(CN)6]
solution is added to test tube F.
6. For each test tube, the observation is recorded, and the formula of complex ion is written.

Cobalt (II) Complexes

1. The appearance of solid [Co(H2O)6]Cl2 and [Co(H2O)6](NO3)2 is observed and recorded.

The colour differences in these two compounds is identified.
2. Two small test tubes are obtained. To the first test tube approximately 0.50 mL of ethanol
is added and to the second test tube approximately 0.50 mL of water is added. A small
crystal of [Co(H2O)6]Cl2 is added into each test tube.
3. 0.50 mL of 0.10 M CoCl2 solution is added to each of two small test tubes. To one test
tube, 12 M of HCl is added dropwise until the colour change appears complete. To the
next test tube, 10-15 drop of saturated KSCN solution is added.
 RESULTS

Copper (II)

The colour of CuSO4.5H2O: Blue crystal

The colour of CuCl2.2H2O: Blue-green crystal

Test Tube Reagent Added Complex Ion Formed Observation

First gelatinous blue solid

forming. Then, it dissolved as
1 15M NH3 CuSO4 + 5 NH3 [Cu(NH3)5] SO42+
more NH3 added and the
solution become dark blue.
CuSO4 + NH2CH2CH2NH2 The colour change from blue to
2 NH2CH2CH2NH2
Cu (NH2CH2CH2NH2)2 + SO4 dark purple
The blue colour solution slowly
3 12M HCL CuSO4 + 4HCl CuCl42- + 2H+ + H2SO4
turns yellow-green solution
A pale blue precipitate formed
4 6M NaOH CuSO4 + 2NaOH Cu(OH)2 + Na2SO4

The colour change from blue to

5 NaNO2 CuSO4 + NaNO2 CuNO2 + NaSO4
green
0.10M CuSO4 + K4[Fe(CN)6] Cu2[Fe(CN)6] + The colour formed is dark
6
K4[Fe(CN)6] 2K2SO4 brown with precipitate

Table 6.1: Observation for Copper (II) Complexes

Cobalt (II)

The colour of solid [Co(H2O)6]Cl2 : Purple

The colour of solid [Co(H2O)6](NO3) : Red

What is the colour of [Co(H2O)6]Cl2 in:

Ethanol: It dissolve and the colour became dark blue
Water: It dissolve and the colour became red
 Test Tube Reagent Added Complex Ion Formed Observation

12 M HCl CoCl2 + HCl CoCl4 + H After adding, the light red

1
colour solution turn to blue
KSCN CoCl2 + 4KSCN K2(Co(SCN)4) + 2KCl After adding, the light red
2
solution turns purple.

QUESTIONS
1. List the chemical formula, chemical properties, and any special hazards associated
with the following reagent.
Reagents Chemical Formula Chemical Properties Hazards
Melting point: -77.73oC • Cause severe skin burns and
Boiling point: -33.34oC eye damage
Ammonia NH3
Form: Gas • May cause respiratory irritation
Colour: Colourless • Very toxic to aquatic life
Melting point: 8oC • Flammable
o
Boiling point: 116 C • Corrosive
Ethylenediamine NH2CH2CH2NH2
Form: Liquid • Health hazard
Colour: Colourless • Irritant
Melting point: 173 C o
• Harmful if swallowed
Potassium o
Boiling point: 500 C • Harmful in contact with skin
KSCN
thiocyanate Form: Liquid • Harmful to aquatic life with long
Colour: Colourless/white lasting effect
Melting point: 300oC • May cause eye irritation
Boiling point: Decomposed • May cause skin irritation
Potassium
K4[Fe(CN)6] Form: Solid • May cause gastrointestinal
ferrocyanide
Colour: Yellow irritation with nausea, vomiting
and diarrhea
2. Name each of the following complex ions:

a) [CuCl4]2- - Tetrachlorocuprate (II)

b) [Ni (NH2CH2CH2NH2)3]2+- Trisethylenediamine nickel (II)
c) [Cu(NH3)4]2+- Tetraamminecopper (II) sulfate
d) [Co(SCN)4]2—Tetrathiocyanatocobaltate (II)
e) [Fe(CN)6]4-- Ferrocyanide

3. Which ligand produces a stronger ligand field, Cl- or SCN-? Explain your answer.
• SCN- have a stronger ligand field compare to Cl-. This is because Cl- is a sigma
donor ligand whereas SCN- is a sigma donor as well as π acceptor ligand. Due to
π accepting tendency, it forms a stronger bond with the metal cation. Strong
bonding will lead to high splitting of d orbitals. Therefore, it results in the pairing of
electrons in t2g orbitals.
 DISCUSSION

In this experiment, we were asked to study the physical and chemical properties of
coordination compounds. A coordination compound consists of a central complex ion or metal
ions that combines with one or more counter-ions (ligands) resulting in a neutral compound.
These ligands are ions or neutral molecules that have a lone pair of electrons. The ligand
essentially donates this lone pair to form a single bond with the metal. The charge of the
central atom is determined by the charges and the number of ligands and charge of the metal
ions. If there is still a charge, the complex may require counter-ions to balance the overall
charge. Ligands that can form more than one coordinate bond, such as oxalate (ox) are called
bidentate. These molecules can make two coordination bonds instead of just one. It is also
important to note the geometries of these complex ion follow the VSEPR model creating an
octahedral, tetrahedral or square planar shape. Ion exchange resins are made up of large
molecules, which contain ionizable groups. These resins are solid that are insoluble in water,
but well when water is added to them. If an aqueous solution of a salt such is poured into an
ion exchange unit, the salt solution will displace the solution neighbouring the resin and a
volume of liquid equal to the volume of the salt solution added will elute from the bottom of the
unit.

CONCLUSION

As a conclusion, we were able to study the chemical and physical properties of coordination
compound. We also know that a coordination compound consists of a central complex ion or
metal ions that combines with one or more counter-ions (ligands) resulting in a neutral
compound.