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Transition Elements

Why ligand substitution happens and the changes it causes

  • 3 things to know
  • Components 01 and 03

Overview

Recall questions on bond strength and stability as the drivers, and on when substitution changes the coordination number and geometry and when it does not.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Numbers

Why does ligand substitution occur, and how many water ligands does excess ammonia replace in the hexaaquacopper(II) ion?

Process

How many water ligands do excess chloride ions replace in the hexaaquacopper(II) ion, how does the geometry change, and what happens to aqueous cobalt(II) in excess ammonia?

Key term

Under what condition does ligand substitution result in a change in coordination number?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Why does ligand substitution occur in terms of bond strength?

    Model answer

    Ligand substitution occurs when the incoming ligand forms a stronger bond with the central metal ion than the original ligand.

  2. 2

    Apart from bond strength, what other factor can drive ligand substitution?

    Model answer

    Ligand substitution can occur when the incoming ligand is present in higher concentration.

  3. 3

    When excess concentrated ammonia is added to [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺, how many water ligands are replaced by ammonia ligands?

    Model answer

    Four water ligands are replaced by four ammonia ligands.

  4. 4

    In the reaction between [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺ and excess ammonia, how many water ligands remain coordinated to the copper ion?

    Model answer

    Two water ligands are retained.

  5. 5

    What is the coordination number of the [Cu(NH₃)₄(H₂O)₂]²⁺ complex formed when ammonia is added to aqueous copper(II) ions?

    Model answer

    The coordination number remains 6.

  6. 6

    What is the geometry of the [Cu(NH₃)₄(H₂O)₂]²⁺ complex?

    Model answer

    Octahedral geometry is maintained.

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Foundations in Chemistry
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AThe first step is Cl• + O₃ → ClO• + O₂.
BThe second step is ClO• + O → Cl• + O₂.
CThe overall equation is O₃ + O → 2O₂.

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In ClO⁻, chlorine has oxidation number +1.
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