CHM 475

INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(EXPERIMENT 7)

Course Name : Bachelor in Education Science (Hons.) Chemistry

Course Code : ED 260
Title of experiment : Measurement of Physical Properties
and Isomerism of Complexes.
Name : Nur Fatma Hanis binti Abdullah Sani
Matrix no : 2014665254
Group Partner : Salmee Safina binti Mohd Yusuf
Group : ED2602A
Lecturer’s name : Dr Amalina binti Mohd Tajuddin
Date of Submission : 24/04/2015
EXPERIMENT 7

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this experiment is to determine the physical properties and isomeric nature of
copper(II) and chromium(III) complexes.

INTRODUCTION

From this experiment, we test the complexes in term of solubility, precipitation, concentration of
acidity or basicity and flame test. The objective of the solubility test is to see if a solid can
dissolves in a solvent or vice versa. Precipitation test to see if a solid is formed when two
dissolved substances are mixed. The concentration of acidity or basicity of the substances can be
test by having a pH test. Last but not least, flame test to see what color is produced when the
substance is burnt.

CHEMICAL AND APPARATUS

 Distilled water  Watch glass

 5% HCl  6M HCl
 5% NaHCO3  Litmus paper
 5% NaOH  0.1M K4Fe(CN)6
 Test tubes  6M CH3COOH
 Filter paper  2M Pb(CH3COO)2
 Stirring rod  Wire
PROCEDURE.

A : Color and shape.

1. The color and shape of the complexes prepared earlier were noted.
B: Solubility and color change.

1. 1ml of distilled water, 5% of HCl, 5% of NaHCO3, and 5% of NaOH were placed in

four separate labelled test tubes.
2. The small amount of complexes was added to each test tube.
3. The solution was mixed well and the observation was recorded.
4. After 10 minutes, the test tubes were heated in a water bath.
5. Observation was recorded.

C : Isomerism

1. A few crystals of the product was placed on a small filter paper resting on a watch glass.
2. A few drop of dilute ammonia solution and dilute hydrochloric acid were added to the
crystals.

D : Confirmation of Copper and Chromium

i. Confirmatory test for copper

1. The copper complex was dissolved in 5 ml of distilled water in a clean test tube.
2. 6M HCl was added to the complex solution until the blue color fade and the solution is
acidic when tested with litmus paper.
3. 3 drops of 0.1M K4Fe(CN)6 was added down the wall of the test tube.
4. The solution was centrifuged.

ii. Confirmation test for chromium

1. The chromium complex was dissolved in 5 ml of distilled water in a clean test tube.
2. Several drops of 6M CH3COOH were added to the solution until it is acidic.
3. 5 drops of 2M Pb(CH3COO)2 were added to the solution.

E : Solution pH

1. A stirring drop was used to deposit a drop of the solution onto a piece of pH paper.

F : Flame test.

1. A wire was dip into a beaker of acid and was placed in a flame until the flame returns to
its original color.
2. Repeat step 1 until the wire is clean.
DATASHEET EXPERIMENT 7

Name : Nur Fatma Hanis binti Abdullah Sani Date : 14/04/2015

Student ID : 2014665254 Group : ED2602A

Test Copper complex Chromium complex

a) Color and shape A powder in blue color A powder in a dark green
color
b) Solubility and color
changes

i/ Water Light blue solution, blue Dark green solution

precipitation

ii/ HCl Cloudy solution, blue Dark green solution

precipitation

iii/ NaHCO3 Brown solution, blue Dark green solution

precipitation

iv/ NaOH Black solution and black Dark green jelly-like solution
precipitation
c) Isomerism Trans formed Cis-formed
d) Confirmatory test Red-brown precipitation No chromium
formed, Cu present.
e) Solution pH Acidic Acidic
f) Flame test Pink violet No chromium, spark and
violet flame
DISCUSSION

A. Interpretation.
 A pure copper complex is in a blue powder shape while a pure chromium complex is in a
dark green powder shape.
 The copper complex is not soluble in water, HCl, NaOH and NaHCO 3 as it will form a
blue precipitate in water, HCl and NaHCO3 and black precipitate in NaOH.
 The chromium complex is soluble in water, HCl, NaOH and NaHCO 3 as there is no
precipitate but only a dark green solution.
 The coper complex is in a trans-form as the solid of the complex remain insoluble after
the isomerism test.
 The chromium complex is in a cis-form as the solid of the comlex completely soluble
during the isomerism test.
 There is a copper in the copper complex as during the confirmatory test, red-brown
precipitated formed to rove the presence of the copper.
 There is no chromium in chromium complex as the confirmatory test did not prove the
presence of the chromium. However, we believe that it is due to some error.
 Both copper complex solution and chromium complex solution are in acid solution.

B. Error
 Using contaminated apparatus - we need to make sure our test tube is cleaned before we
are using it, this is important because the other substance may left in the conical flask and
cause our product to contaminate.
 Period of heating – when there is heating process, limited working experiment may force
the students shorten the heating period so the mixture cannot react completely or maybe
the mixture was over heated.
 C. Safety Precaution
 We must wear gloves as a protection as we do not want to have direct contact with toxic
chemicals.

D. Suggestion Mark
 For an accurate result, we can carry out this experiment in the unlimited working time.
 We also must weigh accurately according to the actual weight that required in the lab
manual.

CONCLUSION

 A pure copper complex is in a blue powder shape.

 A pure chromium complex is in a dark green powder shape.
 The copper complex is an insoluble substance.
 The chromium complex is a soluble substance.
 The coper complex is in a trans-form.
 The chromium complex is in a cis-form.
 Both chromium and copper complex solution are acid solution.

REFERENCES
 https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-
instant&ion=1&espv=2&es_th=1&ie=UTF-
8#q=percentage+of+ligands+in+coordination+compound+academia.edu
 https://www.academia.edu/4677733/INORGANIC_CHEMISTRY_EXPERIMENTTION
 https://www.academia.edu/10161813/Coordination_Chemistry_-
_Fred_Basolo_Ronald_C._Johnson_1986