2.4.9

Ligand Substitutions & Kstab

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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.

Illustrative background for The reactionIllustrative background for The reaction ?? "content

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 \:\leftrightharpoons\: [ 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>Illustrative background for [ Cu(H<sub>2</sub>O)<sub>6</sub> ]<sup>2+</sup> vs. [ CuCl<sub>4</sub> ]<sup>2-</sup> ?? "content

[ 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.
Illustrative background for Reversible reactionIllustrative background for Reversible reaction ?? "content

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 \:\leftrightharpoons\: [ CuCl4 ]2- + 6H2O
    • Kstab = [CuCl4][Cu(H2O)6][Cl]4\Large\frac {[CuCl_4]}{[Cu(H_2O)_6][Cl^-]^4}
  • Looking at the expression, we can see a large Kstab results in the formation of a stable complex ion.
Illustrative background for Colour changeIllustrative background for Colour change ?? "content

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

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.

Illustrative background for The reactionIllustrative background for The reaction ?? "content

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 \:\leftrightharpoons\: [ 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>Illustrative background for [ Co(H<sub>2</sub>O)<sub>6</sub> ]<sup>2+</sup> vs. [ CoCl<sub>4</sub> ]<sup>2-</sup> ?? "content

[ 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.
Illustrative background for Reversible reactionIllustrative background for Reversible reaction ?? "content

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 \:\leftrightharpoons\: [ CoCl4 ]2- + 6H2O
    • Kstab = [CoCl4][Co(H2O)6][Cl]4\Large\frac {[CoCl_4]}{[Co(H_2O)_6][Cl^-]^4}
  • Looking at the expression, we can see a large Kstab results in the formation of a stable complex ion.
Illustrative background for Colour changeIllustrative background for Colour change ?? "content

Colour change

  • The colour change observed should be from pink [ Co(H2O)6 ]2+ ions to blue [ CoCl4 ]2- ions.

Jump to other topics

1Physical Chemistry

1.1Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry

1.2Atomic Structure

1.3Chemical Bonding

1.4States of Matter

1.5Chemical Energetics

1.6Electrochemistry

1.7Equilibria

1.8Partition Coefficient

1.9Reaction Kinetics

2Inorganic Chemistry

3Organic Chemistry & Analysis

3.1Introduction to Organic Chemistry

3.2Hydrocarbons

3.3Halogen Derivatives

3.4Hydroxy Compounds

3.5Carbonyl Compounds

3.6Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives

3.7Nitrogen Compounds

3.8Polymerisation

3.9Analytical Techniques

3.10Organic Synthesis

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