Complex ions

Coordination compounds

Dr. Peter Warburton

peterw@mun.ca
http://www.chem.mun.ca/zcourses/1051.php

AgCl(s) + 2 NH3(aq) → [Ag(NH3)2]+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

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Theory of coordination compounds Coordination compounds

Coordination compounds
Compounds made up contain complex ions
of simpler which are polyatomic
compounds are cations or anions
composed of:
called coordination a central metal ion and
compounds. ligands
Counterions balance the
Alfred Werner charge of the complex ion
to make the coordination
compound neutral
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Werner’s theory of coordination compounds
[Co(NH3)6]Cl3 and [CoCl(NH3)5]Cl2
Two compounds made of the same
chemicals, yet they look different, and
react differently with silver nitrate due
to different number of counterions.
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Cobalt coordination compounds
In all these compounds the central cobalt
ion of the complex ion (the square
brackets) has SIX ligands around it.
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Werner’s theory
Two types of valence or bonding capacity.
Primary valence.
Based on the number of e- an atom loses in
forming the ion (the oxidation number of the
metal ion).
Secondary valence.
Responsible for the bonding of other groups,
called ligands, to the central metal atom (leads
to coordination number)
In these compounds
[Co(NH3)6]Cl3 → [Co(NH3)6]3+ + 3 Cl- the primary and
secondary valence
[CoCl(NH3)5]Cl2 → [CoCl(NH3)5]2+ + 2 Cl- are the same!
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Cobalt coordination compounds
The number of nitrate counterions depends
on the charge of the complex ion, which
depends on the charges of the central ion and
the ligands.
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Coordination number and shape Coordination sphere
Coordination sphere
– the central metal
ion and the ligands

Coordination number – total

number of points of
attachment the central ion
can make with ligands
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[CoCl(NO2)(NH3)4]+
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Problem Problem

What are the coordination number and Write the formula of a complex ion with
oxidation state of Ni in the complex ion cyanide ion ligands, an iron ion with an
[Ni(CN)4I]3-? oxidation state of +3, and a
coordination number of 6.
Answer: The coordination number is 5. Answer: [Fe(CN)6]3-
The oxidation state of Ni is +2.

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Ligands Ligands

Ligands are Lewis bases – Monodentate ligands

electron pair donors. Use one pair of electrons to form one point
of attachment to the metal ion.
Bidentate ligands
They donate electrons to the metal, Use two pairs of electrons to form two
which acts as a Lewis acid – points of attachment to the metal ion.

electron pair acceptor.

Tridentate, tetradentate, …

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Ligands Polydentate ligands

monodentate bidentate

EDTA is tetradentate

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Formulas for complex ions Formulas for complexes

The complex ion is in square brackets!

Metal ion first
Anions next – in alphabetical order BY
CHEMICAL SYMBOL if there are more than
one kind
Neutral ligands last – in alphabetical order
BY CHEMICAL SYMBOL if there are more
than one kind Check to see if the rules have been followed in
Overall charge of the complex ion outside of the complexes of these coordination compounds.
brackets
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Problem

What would the formula be for the

following complex?
Answer:
[CrBr2(H2O)2(NH3)2]+

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