2.4.9
Ligand Substitutions & Kstab
Ligand Subsitution & Kstab
Ligand Subsitution & Kstab
Complex metal ions have ligands which can be substituted. Kstab is defined as the equilibrium constant for the formation of the complex ion in a solvent from its constituent ions or molecules.


The reaction
The reaction
- The complex ion [ Cu(H2O)6 ]2+ undergoes a ligand substitution reaction where H2O is replaced by Cl-.
- The reaction is reversible.
- [ Cu(H2O)6 ]2+ + 4Cl− [ CuCl4 ]2- + 6H2O
- The equilibrium can be pushed to the right using concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl).
- The reaction can be reversed by adding water. This will push the equilibrium to the left.
![Illustrative background for [ Cu(H<sub>2</sub>O)<sub>6</sub> ]<sup>2+</sup> vs. [ CuCl<sub>4</sub> ]<sup>2-</sup>](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/b6cb988e-c777-43c6-9070-520bb870abec/chlorine-electron%20shell-,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
![Illustrative background for [ Cu(H<sub>2</sub>O)<sub>6</sub> ]<sup>2+</sup> vs. [ CuCl<sub>4</sub> ]<sup>2-</sup> ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/b6cb988e-c777-43c6-9070-520bb870abec/chlorine-electron%20shell-,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
[ Cu(H2O)6 ]2+ vs. [ CuCl4 ]2-
[ Cu(H2O)6 ]2+ vs. [ CuCl4 ]2-
- In the reaction, the copper goes from having six water ligands to having four chloride ligands.
- The co-ordination number changes from six to four in the reaction.
- This is because the chloride ions are larger than the water molecules.
- There is only space for four chloride ions around the copper.


Reversible reaction
Reversible reaction
- As this reaction is reversible, we can form an equilibrium expression. This is known as Kstab, or the stability constant.
- For the below reaction:
- [ Cu(H2O)6 ]2+ + 4Cl− [ CuCl4 ]2- + 6H2O
- Kstab =
- Looking at the expression, we can see a large Kstab results in the formation of a stable complex ion.
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Colour change
Colour change
- The colour change observed should be from blue to yellow.
- However, there is normally a mixture of [ Cu(H2O)6 ]2+ and [ CuCl4 ]2- ions.
- This means the observed colour change is from blue to green (blue + yellow = green).
Substituting Water for Chlorine in a Complex Cobalt Ion
Substituting Water for Chlorine in a Complex Cobalt Ion
Let's go through another example. The chemistry in this reaction with a complex cobalt ion is exactly the same as the reaction with the with a complex copper ion.


The reaction
The reaction
- The complex ion [ Co(H2O)6 ]2+ undergoes a ligand substitution reaction where H2O is replaced by Cl-.
- The reaction is reversible.
- [ Co(H2O)6 ]2+ + 4Cl− [ CoCl4 ]2- + 6H2O
- The equilibrium can be pushed to the right using concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl).
- The reaction can be reversed by adding water. This will push the equilibrium to the left.
![Illustrative background for [ Co(H<sub>2</sub>O)<sub>6</sub> ]<sup>2+</sup> vs. [ CoCl<sub>4</sub> ]<sup>2-</sup>](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/b6cb988e-c777-43c6-9070-520bb870abec/chlorine-electron%20shell-,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
![Illustrative background for [ Co(H<sub>2</sub>O)<sub>6</sub> ]<sup>2+</sup> vs. [ CoCl<sub>4</sub> ]<sup>2-</sup> ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/b6cb988e-c777-43c6-9070-520bb870abec/chlorine-electron%20shell-,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
[ Co(H2O)6 ]2+ vs. [ CoCl4 ]2-
[ Co(H2O)6 ]2+ vs. [ CoCl4 ]2-
- In the reaction, the cobalt goes from having six water ligands it to having four chloride ligands.
- The co-ordination number changes from six to four in the reaction.
- This is because the chloride ions are larger than the water molecules.
- There is only space for four chloride ions around the cobalt.


Reversible reaction
Reversible reaction
- As this reaction is reversible, we can form an equilibrium expression. This is known as Kstab, or the stability constant.
- For the below reaction:
- [ Co(H2O)6 ]2+ + 4Cl− [ CoCl4 ]2- + 6H2O
- Kstab =
- Looking at the expression, we can see a large Kstab results in the formation of a stable complex ion.


Colour change
Colour change
- The colour change observed should be from pink [ Co(H2O)6 ]2+ ions to blue [ CoCl4 ]2- ions.
1Physical Chemistry
1.1Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry
1.2Atomic Structure
1.2.1Fundamental Particles
1.2.2Isotopes & Mass Number
1.2.3Electron Shells, Sub-Shells & Orbitals
1.2.4Electron Configuration
1.2.5Ionisation Energy
1.2.6Factors Affecting Ionisation Energies
1.2.7Trends of Ionisation
1.2.8Specific Impacts on Ionisation Energies
1.2.9Electron Affinity
1.2.10End of Topic Test - Atomic Structure
1.2.11A-A* (AO2/3) - Atomic Structure
1.3Chemical Bonding
1.3.1Ionic Bonding
1.3.2Covalent & Dative Bonding
1.3.3Shapes of Molecules
1.3.4Intermolecular Forces
1.3.5Intermolecular Forces 2
1.3.6Electronegativity
1.3.7Bond Length, Bond Energy, & Bond Polarity
1.3.8Metallic Bonding
1.3.9Physical Properties
1.3.10End of Topic Test - Bonding
1.3.11A-A* (AO2/3) - Bonding
1.4States of Matter
1.5Chemical Energetics
1.6Electrochemistry
1.7Equilibria
1.7.1Dynamic Equilibrium & Le Chatelier
1.7.2Kc
1.7.3Kp
1.7.4pH
1.7.5The Ionic Product of Water
1.7.6Weak Acids & Bases
1.7.7Introduction to Solubility Equilibria
1.7.8Solubility Equilibria Calculations
1.7.9Free Energy of Dissolution
1.7.10pH and Solubility
1.7.11Common-Ion Effect
1.7.12End of Topic Test - Kp & Electrochemistry
1.7.13A-A* (AO2/3) - Electrochemical Cells
1.8Partition Coefficient
1.9Reaction Kinetics
1.9.1Collision Theory
1.9.2Orders, Rate Constants & Equations
1.9.3Rate Graphs
1.9.4Rate Determining Step
1.9.5Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution
1.9.6Catalysts
1.9.7Homogeneous Catalysts
1.9.8Heterogeneous Catalysts
1.9.9End of Topic Test - Kinetics
1.9.10End of Topic Test - Rate Equations
1.9.11A-A* (AO2/3) - Rate Equations
2Inorganic Chemistry
2.1The Periodic Table
2.2Group 2
2.3Group 17
2.4Transition Metals
3Organic Chemistry & Analysis
3.1Introduction to Organic Chemistry
3.2Hydrocarbons
3.2.1Fractional Distillation
3.2.2Cracking
3.2.3Combustion
3.2.4Chlorination
3.2.5End of Topic Test - Alkanes
3.2.6Introduction to Alkenes
3.2.7Reactions of Alkenes
3.2.8Polymerisation Reactions
3.2.9End of Topic Test - Alkenes
3.2.10Arenes
3.2.11Evidence for Structure of Arenes
3.2.12Reactions of Benzene
3.2.13End of Topic Test -Arenes
3.3Halogen Derivatives
3.4Hydroxy Compounds
3.5Carbonyl Compounds
3.6Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives
3.7Nitrogen Compounds
3.8Polymerisation
3.9Analytical Techniques
3.9.1Chromatography
3.9.2High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
3.9.3Gas Chromatography
3.9.4IR Spectroscopy
3.9.5Uses of IR Spectroscopy
3.9.6Mass Spectrometry
3.9.7Mass Spectrometry Analysis
3.9.8Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
3.9.9Carbon-13 NMR
3.9.10Proton NMR I
3.9.11Proton NMR II
3.9.12End of Topic Test - Analytical Techniques
3.9.13A-A* (AO2/3) - Analytical Techniques
Jump to other topics
1Physical Chemistry
1.1Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry
1.2Atomic Structure
1.2.1Fundamental Particles
1.2.2Isotopes & Mass Number
1.2.3Electron Shells, Sub-Shells & Orbitals
1.2.4Electron Configuration
1.2.5Ionisation Energy
1.2.6Factors Affecting Ionisation Energies
1.2.7Trends of Ionisation
1.2.8Specific Impacts on Ionisation Energies
1.2.9Electron Affinity
1.2.10End of Topic Test - Atomic Structure
1.2.11A-A* (AO2/3) - Atomic Structure
1.3Chemical Bonding
1.3.1Ionic Bonding
1.3.2Covalent & Dative Bonding
1.3.3Shapes of Molecules
1.3.4Intermolecular Forces
1.3.5Intermolecular Forces 2
1.3.6Electronegativity
1.3.7Bond Length, Bond Energy, & Bond Polarity
1.3.8Metallic Bonding
1.3.9Physical Properties
1.3.10End of Topic Test - Bonding
1.3.11A-A* (AO2/3) - Bonding
1.4States of Matter
1.5Chemical Energetics
1.6Electrochemistry
1.7Equilibria
1.7.1Dynamic Equilibrium & Le Chatelier
1.7.2Kc
1.7.3Kp
1.7.4pH
1.7.5The Ionic Product of Water
1.7.6Weak Acids & Bases
1.7.7Introduction to Solubility Equilibria
1.7.8Solubility Equilibria Calculations
1.7.9Free Energy of Dissolution
1.7.10pH and Solubility
1.7.11Common-Ion Effect
1.7.12End of Topic Test - Kp & Electrochemistry
1.7.13A-A* (AO2/3) - Electrochemical Cells
1.8Partition Coefficient
1.9Reaction Kinetics
1.9.1Collision Theory
1.9.2Orders, Rate Constants & Equations
1.9.3Rate Graphs
1.9.4Rate Determining Step
1.9.5Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution
1.9.6Catalysts
1.9.7Homogeneous Catalysts
1.9.8Heterogeneous Catalysts
1.9.9End of Topic Test - Kinetics
1.9.10End of Topic Test - Rate Equations
1.9.11A-A* (AO2/3) - Rate Equations
2Inorganic Chemistry
2.1The Periodic Table
2.2Group 2
2.3Group 17
2.4Transition Metals
3Organic Chemistry & Analysis
3.1Introduction to Organic Chemistry
3.2Hydrocarbons
3.2.1Fractional Distillation
3.2.2Cracking
3.2.3Combustion
3.2.4Chlorination
3.2.5End of Topic Test - Alkanes
3.2.6Introduction to Alkenes
3.2.7Reactions of Alkenes
3.2.8Polymerisation Reactions
3.2.9End of Topic Test - Alkenes
3.2.10Arenes
3.2.11Evidence for Structure of Arenes
3.2.12Reactions of Benzene
3.2.13End of Topic Test -Arenes
3.3Halogen Derivatives
3.4Hydroxy Compounds
3.5Carbonyl Compounds
3.6Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives
3.7Nitrogen Compounds
3.8Polymerisation
3.9Analytical Techniques
3.9.1Chromatography
3.9.2High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
3.9.3Gas Chromatography
3.9.4IR Spectroscopy
3.9.5Uses of IR Spectroscopy
3.9.6Mass Spectrometry
3.9.7Mass Spectrometry Analysis
3.9.8Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
3.9.9Carbon-13 NMR
3.9.10Proton NMR I
3.9.11Proton NMR II
3.9.12End of Topic Test - Analytical Techniques
3.9.13A-A* (AO2/3) - Analytical Techniques
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