Measurement of Physical Properties

And Isomerism of Complexes

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this experiment is to determine the physical properties and isomeric nature of
Copper (II) and Chromium (III) complexes.

INTRODUCTION:

In an experiment, there is two types of measurement that can be made such as quantitative and
qualitative measurement. But for this experiment, we focus on qualitative measurement which
is an observation were made on that particular substance in terms of solubity, isomerism and
physical characteristics. Some systematic tests have been conduct to test the solubility,
precipitation, pH and flame. Firstly, is about solubility and precipitation test. Usually both test
been conduct to see if the solid able to dissolves in a solvent and whether the dissolved
substances able to form precipitate if been mixed with other dissolved substances. Next, pH and
flame test also been conduct. In order to determine the concentration of acidity or basicity of
the substance and to see what colour is produced when the substance is burned.

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS:

A. Colour and Shape

Crystal Copper (II) and Chromium (III) complexes..
B. Solubility and colour change
- 1 mL distilled water, 5% HCl. 5% NaHCO3 , 5% NaOH, test tubes, water bath and
Copper (II) and Chromium (III) complexes.
C. Isomerism
- Crystal Copper (II) and Chromium (III) complexes. , dilute ammonia solution ,
dilute hydrochloric acid filter paper and watch glass.
D. Confirmation of Copper and Chromium
- 2 mL Copper complex, 5mL distilled water, 6M HCl, 0.1M K4Fe(CN)6, litmus
paper and test tubes.
METHODS:

Part A

Part B

Part C
Part D

Part E

Part F
RESULTS:

Test Copper complex Chromium complex

Colour and shape Blue crystal Dark green cystal
Solubility and colour i. Before Heat: Water I. Before Heat: Water
changes: Colourless to blue, Colourless to purple blue
i. Water soluble black, soluble
After Heat: After Heat:
Blue, produce blue Purple greenish, no
precipitate precipitate and soluble

ii. HCl ii. Before Heat: HCl II. Before Heat: HCl
Colourless to cloudy Colourless to blue green,
soluble
After Heat: After Heat:
Cloudy, produce blue Purple, no precipitate and
precipitate soluble

iii. NaHCO3 iii. Before Heat: NaHCO3 III. Before Heat: NaHCO3
Colourless to blue, Colourless to blue green,
soluble soluble
After Heat: After Heat:
Blue colour, no Green colour, no
precipitate precipitate and soluble

iv. NaOH iv. Before Heat: NaOH IV. Before Heat: NaOH
Colourless Colourless to green.
soluble
After Heat: After Heat:
Rusty brown, produce Light green colour, light
brown precipitate green precipitate produce
and insoluble
Isomerism Trans, colour changes from Cis. colour changes from
dark blue to light blue. It also dark green to purplelish grey
 does not dissolve in that colour. It dissolved with the
solution. solution.
Confirmation test Red brick colour formed. Cloudy precipitate.
Thus, copper present Chromium does not
presence.
Solution pH pH 5 pH 5
Flame test Green purple flame produced Purple flame produced

DISCUSSION:

This experiments is about qualitative measurements which divided into part A, B, C, D,

E and F. In part A, we observe the physical characteristics of the crystal that we have prepared
in previous experiment 3 and 4. In experiment 3 and 4, we able to produce Potassium
Tris(Oxalato) chromium(III) Trihydrate and Copper(II) Oxalate Complexes. Both form as a
fine blue and dark green crystal.

Next, in part B it about solubility and colour change. When copper complex been added into
water , it dissolved completely in the test tubes. Which cause the colourless solution to changes
to blue solution. However, after some heat was added the blue solution able to produce some
precipitate. The precipitate form because the copper have react with hydroxide ion, and
hydroxide salts are insoluble towards water. Most of the reaction, become insoluble after
heating since they react with an anion and becoming insoluble salts. Such as by forming
hydroxide salts, chloride salts, carbonate salts and etc.

Experiment in part C is about isomerism, are molecules that have the same molecular formula
but have a different arrangement of the atoms in space. It can be a cis-form or a trans-form.
At the end of the experiment, the copper complex shows a trans characteristics, by changes
colour of their solution from dark blue to light blue and the solid form also remain insoluble.
While Chromium (III) complexes, it changes the colour of the solution from dark green to
purplelish grey and soluble in that solution.

In part D, we do some confirmation of copper by using copper complex crystal. At the end of
this experiment, it gives a positive results by produce Reddish brown colour in that solution.
For part E, this test the pH of the solution by using a pH paper. Both crystal solution give a
same result as a acidic solution, pH 5.
The last part of this experiment is about flame test. For copper, green purple flame are produced
when heated and purple flame produced for chromium complexes. In facts, copper complexes
will produced a blue-green flame when heated. This color indicated that the metal of the crystal
consist of copper (ii) ion. Flame test usually been conducted to determine the identity of an
unknown metal based on the characteristics color that formed during the salted been flamed.

In order to ensure the validity of our experimental design, we make sure to use same volume of
reactant solution and same amount of each chemical that being tested. Then, there is some safety
precaution that we take in this experiment. Such as do not point the test tubes at anyone when
shaking to dissolves.

CONCLUSION:

As a conclusion, qualitative measurement is really an meaningful method that can be used to

identify the identity of the elements in particular salts or solution. Such as to know the physical
properties of complexes. In which copper complexes is blue in color and chromium complexes
give dark green colour. Both are appears as a crystals form.

REFERENCES:

1.Greco, T.G., Richard, L.H. and Weiss, G.S., 2002. Experiments in General Chemistry:
Principles and Modern Applications. (8th edition) New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

2. King, G.B., Caldwell, W.E. and Williams, M.B., 1972. Laboratory Experiments in College
Chemistry. (3rd edition) New York: D. Van Nostrand Co.

3. J.S. Emil, C.W. Wayne and C.R. Rossi., 2001. Chemical Principles in the Laboratory. (10th
edition) Nelson Education, Ltd.