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Transition Metals

Metal Aqua Ions with Bases: Why They React, and Their Equations

  • 3 things to know
  • Papers 1 and 3

Overview

Why an aqua ion reacts with a base as an acid, and the equations for the iron and copper aqua ions with hydroxide ions and with ammonia.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What type of reaction occurs when a base removes H⁺ from a metal aqua ion?

Key term

In the reaction of metal aqua ions with bases, what acts as the acid?

Key term

When sodium hydroxide is added to [Al(H₂O)₆]³⁺, what is the initial product formed?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What type of reaction occurs when a base removes H⁺ from a metal aqua ion?

    Model answer

    An acid-base reaction (deprotonation)

  2. 2

    In the reaction of metal aqua ions with bases, what acts as the acid?

    Model answer

    The metal aqua ion acts as the acid (proton donor)

  3. 3

    Why do metal aqua ions react with bases?

    Model answer

    Because the coordinated water molecules are polarised by the metal ion, making the H atoms more acidic and able to donate protons to bases

  4. 4

    What is the role of hydroxide ions or ammonia molecules in these reactions with metal aqua ions?

    Model answer

    They act as bases, accepting protons from the coordinated water molecules

  5. 5

    Write the equation for the reaction of [Fe(H₂O)₆]³⁺ with hydroxide ions.

    Model answer

    [Fe(H₂O)₆]³⁺ + 3OH⁻ → [Fe(H₂O)₃(OH)₃] + 3H₂O

  6. 6

    Write the equation for the reaction of [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺ with a small amount of ammonia.

    Model answer

    [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺ + 2NH₃ → [Cu(H₂O)₄(OH)₂] + 2NH₄⁺

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