Question

Difficulty: MediumTransition Metals: General Properties, Catalytic Behavior, and Complex Ions

Complete the statement regarding the transition metal complex ion [Fe(CN)6]3[Fe(CN)_6]^{3-} by filling in the missing values.

Answer:In the hexacyanoferrate(III) complex ion, [Fe(CN)6]3[Fe(CN)_6]^{3-}, the coordination number of the central iron ion is 【6】 and the oxidation state of iron is 【+3】.

Answer

The coordination number of the central iron ion in [Fe(CN)6]3[Fe(CN)_6]^{3-} is 6, and its oxidation state is +3.
In [Fe(CN)6]3[Fe(CN)_6]^{3-}, iron is bonded to six cyano (CNCN^-) ligands, establishing a coordination number of 6. Balancing the total charge gives x+6(1)=3x + 6(-1) = -3, yielding an oxidation state of +3 for the iron central metal ion.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the coordination number from the formula of the complex ion.
The central iron ion is bonded to 6 monodentate cyano (CNCN^-) ligands, so the coordination number is 6.
The coordination number represents the total number of ligand donor atoms attached directly to the central transition metal ion.
2
Calculate the oxidation state of the central iron ion.
Let xx be the oxidation state of FeFe. Each cyano ligand has a charge of 1-1, and the total complex ion charge is 3-3. Setting up the equation: x+6(1)=3    x6=3    x=+3x + 6(-1) = -3 \implies x - 6 = -3 \implies x = +3.
The sum of the oxidation state of the central metal and the charges of all ligands equals the net charge of the complex ion.

Key Concept

Coordination Number and Oxidation State Determination in Complex Ions
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