CHM475

Inorganic Chemistry

NUMBER OF THE EXPERIMENT

EXPERIMENT 10
TITLE
Measurement of Physical Properties and isomerism of complex

NAME AND MATRIC NUMBER

IZZATI BINTI HALID (2017419988)

GROUP:
RAS2454A

DATE OF EXPERIMENT:
11th APRIL 2019

LECTURER’S NAME
PROF.SHUKRI BIN ISMAIL
Objectives

To determine physical properties and isomeric nature of copper (II) and chromium (III) complex

Procedure

a) Colour and Shape

The colour and shape of the crystal prepared is notified earlier.

b) Solubility and colour changes.

1 ml of samples is placed in the distilled water ,5% HCL(aq),5% NaHC𝑂3 (aq) and 5% NaOH (aq) in
four separate clean labelled test tube .To each test tube ,small amount of the complex is
added.It is mix well and the observation is recorded After 10 minutes ,the four test tube is
heated in water bath and being observed.The colour changes ,evolution of gas ,any evidence of
reaction such as precipitates and enhanced of solubility is observed.

c) Isomerism
Few crystals of the product placed on a filter paper resting on the watch glass is moisten,first
with few drops of dilute ammonia solution and then with the dilute hydrochloric acid.The
observation is recorded . A solution will immediately form and spread over the filter paper for
the cis-form , no solid remains .On the other hand,the solid form will be insoluble if it is in the
trans form.In each cases ,the reaction with dilute HCl will restores the original colour of
isomeric form .The colour changes is observed.

d) Confirmation of Copper and Chromium

i) Confirmatory Test for Copper
A small amount of copper complex is dissolved in about 5 ml distilled water .To 2 ml of
the solution, 6 M HCl is added until the blue colour faded and the solution is acidic when
tested with the litmus paper.2 or 3 drops of 0.1 M potassium ferrocyanide is added
which forms a red-brown to pink precipitate .Centrifuge is needed to ensure and see the
colour clearly.This is sensitive test for copper which give red colouration even in
extremely dilute solution.

ii) Confirmatory Test for Chromium

Small amount of chromium complex is dissolve in 5 ml distilled water .To 2 ml of the
solution several drops of 6 M 𝐶𝐻3 𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻,acetic acid until the solution is just acidic .5
drops of 𝑃𝑏(𝐶𝐻3 𝐶𝑂𝑂)2, lead acetate ,The formation of bright yellow confirms the
presence of chromium (III).

e) Solution pH
Stirring rod is use to deposit a drop of the solution onto piece of pH paper .High pH is indicates
basic solution.Which is more basic.
f) Flame
A wire is dip into a beaker of acid and placed in a flame until the flame return to its original
colour .This step is done several time until the wire is clean.The wire is dip in the salt to be
tested .The colour of flame is observed when liquid is evaporating.
Results

Copper Complex Chromium Complex

a) Colour and shape Light Blue Black-Green

b) Solubility and colour After Heating After Heating

changes
i) Water Cloud light blue soluble Dark Green Soluble

ii) HCl Cloudy white precipitate Purple clear solution soluble

iii) 𝑁𝑎𝐻𝐶𝑂3 Blue ocean iinsoluble Clear purple solution

iv) NaOH Turquoise insoluble Clear Solution with black

precipitate

c) Isomerism Trans Cis

d) Confirmation test

e) Solution pH 5 5/6

f) Flame Test Green Purple

Discussion

Copper complexes .The two most important oxidation states of copper is +1 that is cuprous while +2 is
cupric. In this experiment copper(II) oxalate complexes from experiment 4 which initially in light blue
colour and after the addition of distilled water the copper complex turn cloudy light blue solution in
colour.Copper(II) oxalate complexes in geoCopper(II)oxalate complexes in geometry best described as
distorted octahedral.The copper(II) bound to four water molecules in a square – planar geometry and
two oxygen ion. Addition of HCI to [Cu(C2O4)2] 2+ ion results in the formation of [CuCI4] 2+ which is cloudy
white precipitate was formed and has a square planar geometry. Salts containing this ion maybe isolated
with bulky cations,which is in addition of NaHCO3 , as in (Na)2[CuCI4] which is the solution turn to blue
ocean insoluble. Addition of NaOH into [Cu(C2O4)2] 2+ results in the initial formation of solid Cu(OH)2 but
2-
with further additions the solid dissolves to form the complex ion [Cu(OH)4] . Chromium complex.
Chromium exists in a wide variety of oxidation states. Common oxidation states include +2 , +3 and +6 .
The +2 ion is labile.
In this experiment potassium tris(oxalato)chromium(III) trihydrate,K3[Cr(C2O4)3].3H2O from experiment 3
was used which is zamrud in colour , after the addition of distilled water K3[Cr(C2O4)3].4H2O was formed
which is dark green soluble was formed. Addition of HCI to [Cr(C2O4)3] 3+ ion results in the formation of
[Cr(C2O4)3CI]3+ which is dark clear solution soluble was formed. The[Cr(C2O4)3CI]3+ was formed because of
due to the inertness of +3 ion, one or more chlorides remain coordinated in aqueous solution and
complex ions. If the solution is allowed to stand for several days, the solutions eventually form
[Cr(C2O4)3CI]3+. Salts containing this ion maybe isolated with bulky cations,which is in addition of NaHCO3
, as in (Na)3[Cr(C2O4)3] which is the solution turn to dark blue soluble. Addition of NaOH into
[Cr(C2O4)3CI]3+ results in the initial formation of solid [Cr(C2O4)3CI]3+ . Copper is trans isomer because it is
insoluble after addition of ammonia solution. Chromium is cis isomer because it is soluble compound
after the addition of ammonia solution. Copper is more basidic compare to chromium because the pH
copper is 5 while the chromium is 5/6. The flame colour for copper is green in colour while for chromium
is purple in colour which indicate presence of other gaseous.

While handling this experiment we need to make sure that we used the clean test tube, it is because
when there is left some substances the substances may contaminate our product and may cause we got
the wrong observation.

Conclusion

The physicals properties of both crystals are determined. The copper(II) oxalate complex crystal is
insoluble meanwhile most of the chromium(III) oxalate complex crystal is soluble in all the chemical
solution accept in NaOH. The blue crystal is trans-formed of isomer meanwhile the chromium, greenish-
black crystal is cis-formed structure. The copper is more basic than chromium crystal. The flame of
copper is green and chromium is purple color

Reference

2) http://www.uncp.edu/home/mcclurem/courses/chm226/intro duction_Coordination_Chemistry.pdf

3) https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/transitionmetals/coordination-compounds/isomers-in-
coordinationcompounds/