Az Kalyani Unitied Chemistry (Inorganic Part-iy in fluoreboric acid, the hydrogen ion can be replaced by potassium or other metal ions without affecting the structure of the radical [BF4]- 2. Typical chemical reactions. It is possible to detect complex ion in the solution by the observztion that chemical reactions typical of the substances present in solution do not occur. An examp c is that the solution of copper sulphate gives the tests of copper as well as sulphate ions. On the oth: hand, when copper sulphate solution is treated with excess of potassium cyanide and the resultin. sohution is tested for copper, no positive test is obtained indicating that copper is not present imply as copper ion but as complex ion [Cu-(CN)4]?- which does not get dissociated into copper ivr 2 3. Change in Chemical Properties. An important method for establishing that complexation occurs depends on the ions of the normal chemical properties of the metal ions in solution. The experimental fact that the metal ions do not exhibit their usual reaction is a positive evidence for the complex formation. For example, () Fe(OH) does not undergo precipitation upon the addition of OH to a solution of Fe* in the presence of EDTA because iron is in the form of complex [Fe (EDTA)]}?-. (ii) Cl- does not cause precipitation of Ag* from aqueous NH; solution because Ag* ions are present in the form of complex [Ag(NH)2]*. Limitations. Usually it is observed that the formation of complexes of low thermodynamic stability cannot be demonstrated by this technique owing to the appreciable amount of simple metal ions left uncomplexed. For example, the complexes between NH and Ca?*, Zn?* or Al>* give all the usual precipitation reactions of the free metal ion. 4. Conductivity. Decrease or increase in the electrical conductance of the solution in which complex formation occurs may result due to disappearance or production of ions of comparatively higher mobility, For example, O=c—o; —CH2 He ge é : aN oe [Cu(H20),J** + 2(CHsCOO) + 2NH2CH2COOH = ‘ou’ + 2 CH2COOH Bi ae C= He 2 (ii) The association of boric acid with a-glycols liberates H* (aq) and owing to the hydrogen ions, high mobility, raises the conductivity. Since boric acid is a weak electrolyte and the complex is rather stable, the extent of co-ordination may be directly determined by measuring conductivity. R-CH-OH R-CH-O\ __0-CH-R] | +B (OH), | See I +H" (aq) +3H,0 R-~CH-OH R-CH-O O-CH-R This method may be used to determine the charge on the complex by measuring the molar conductivity at infinite dilution provided that complex is suficiently stable. The knowledge with regard to the number of ions and the number of charges can be helpful in determining the structure of complex compounds in many cases. 5. Solubility Method. Jn some cases, complex formation increases the solubility of the sparingly soluble salt, For example, when potassium cyanide is added to the solution of sparingly soluble silver cyanide, solubility of silver cyanide increases due to complex formation.