Grossmont College Name: _____________________________

Chemistry 142
Fall 2011 Lab Section: ________Date: ____________

Page 1 of 1
Quiz 11

Directions: Answer each of the following questions. Be sure to use complete sentences where
appropriate. For full credit be sure to show all of your work. Where appropriate answers should be
boxed for clarity, written to the correct number of significant figures, and include the proper units.

Question 1. Arrange the following complexes in order of decreasing stability (4
points).

[Cu(en)(H
2
O)
4
]
2+
; [CuF
6
]
2+
; [Cu(en)
3
]
2+
; [Cu(NH
3
)
6
]
2+


[Cu(en)
3
]
2+
> [Cu(en)(H
2
O)
4
]
2+
> [Cu(NH
3
)
6
]
2+
> [CuF
6
]
2+


Question 2. Consider solutions of the following complex ions. Which solutions would
be expected to be colorless and which would exhibit color (4 points)?
a. Zn(NH
3
)
4
]
2+
colorless
b. [Co(NH
3
)
6
]
3+
colored
c. [Ni(NH
3
)
4
]
2+
colored
d. [Ti(NH
3
)
6
]
4+
colorless

Question 3. A hypothetical metal, M, forms the following complexes with the
generalized ligands X, Y and Z (3 points):
Complex Ion Observed Color Absorbed Color
[M(X)
6
]
3+
green Red
[M(Y)
6
]
3+
blue Orange
[M(Z)
6
]
3+
yellow violet
Order these ligands according to their ability to split d orbitals. In other
words, set up a spectrochemical series, from strongest to weakest ligand
field strength.

; So the larger the wavelength the smaller the energy.

Z > Y > X

Question 4. Answer the following questions about [RhCl
6
]
3-
(5 points):
a) What is the oxidation state of Rh? +3
b) What is the electron configuration of the metal cation?
Rh: [Kr] 5s
2
4d
7
Rh
3+
: [Kr] 4d
6

c) How many unpaired electrons are in the complex ion? 4

Octahedral



Grossmont College Name: _____________________________
Chemistry 142
Fall 2011 Lab Section: ________Date: ____________

Page 1 of 1
4 unpaired electrons

d) What is the geometry and hybridization of the complex ion?
Octahedral and sp
3
d
2


Question 5. The hexachlorochromate(III) ion has a maximum in its absorption
spectrum at 735 nm. Calculate the crystal field splitting energy (in kJ/mol)
for this ion (8 points).