Title; METAL COMPLEXES OF DIMETHHYL SULPHOXIDE: THE PREPARATION

OF CU(DMSO)2CL4
AIM; To synthesize Cu(DMSO)2Cl4 and obtain its infrared spectrum so as to determine the
bonding atom in the ligand (DMSO) with the central metal atom Cu
ABSTRACT
Copper(II) chloride was first reacted with ethanol. DMSO was then added to the mixture formed.

INTRODUCTION
Infrared spectroscopy is a common spectroscopic technique and can be used to identify organic
compounds, functional groups, the determination of molecular structures, and a variety of other
general uses. The infrared region spans the spectrum in wavenumbers from 12,800 to 10 cm-1 and
is divided into three regions near-IR, mid-IR, and far-IR. The absorption of infrared radiation
depends on the molecular species and this causes a transition from one vibrational or rotational
energy state to another. Infrared spectroscopy can be used to determine the site in which metals
bind to DMSO. In DMSO the S=O bond absorbs at 1050 cm-1 in the infrared region, which this
absorption can be used to identify which atom the metals binds to. If the metal binds to the sulfur
atom then the absorption frequency will increase because the metal atom is donating electrons to
the sulfur atom. However, if the metal binds to the oxygen atom the metal will form a bond with
the lone pair from the oxygen and the absorption frequency will decrease.

DMSO is

an ambidentate ligand and metals can bind to either the sulfur or to the oxygen atoms. The metals
are able to bind to DMSO because it can act as both a hard and soft base, which this allows soft
and hard acids to bind to it. Soft acids are defined generally as a Lewis acid, an electron pair
acceptor, and their size is moderately large. The characteristics of hard acids are the opposite,

which have a low polarization and have smaller sizes. If the metal binds to the sulfur atom then
the metal is a soft acid and the absorption frequency will increase because the metal atom is
donating electrons to the sulfur atom. However, if the metal binds to the oxygen atom the metal
is a hard acid and the metal will form a bond with a lone pair from the oxygen.
APPARATUS AND REAGENTS USED
APPARATUS
Erlenmeyer flask
Magnetic stirring bar
Syringe
Hirsch funnel
Buchner flask
Petri dish
Melting point apparatus
IR spectrometer
MECHANISM
CuCl2(s) + 2DMSO(aq) Cu(DMSO)2Cl2(s)

EXPERIMENTAL

REAGENTS
Copper(II) chloride
Ethanol
DMSO

Copper(II) chloride (0.3g, 2.22 mmol) was placed into a 25 mL Erlenmeyer flask equipped with
a magnetic stirring bar. To this, absolute ethanol (2mL) was added with a syringe. The mixture
was stirred until all of the copper(II) chloride was dissolved. DMSO (0.5 mL) was slowly added
with a syringe. An immediate exothermic reaction occurred yielding a light green precipitate.
This mixture was stirred for five minures. The product was collected by suction filtration using a
Hirsch funnel. The crystals formed were washed with cold ethanol (1 mL portions) and air dried
on a piece of filter paper. The crystals were then weighed for a percentage yield calculation. The
melting point and the infrared spectrum of the product were determined.
Mass of weighing boat (g)
Mass of weighing boat + copper(II) chloride
(g)
Mass of copper(II) chloride (g)
Mass of petri dish + filter paper (g)
Mass of petri dish + filter paper + product (g)
Mass of product (g)
Melting point (oC)

RESULTS

1.1950
1.4959
0.3009
20.0112
20.4813
0.4701
148-150

Percentage Yield of Cu(DMSO)2Cl2

CuCl2(s) + 2DMSO(aq) Cu(DMSO)2Cl2(s)
No. of moles of CuCl2 = mass of CuCl2/molecular mass CuCl2
= 0.3009g/134.4514gmol=0.002238mol
Taking CuCl2 as limiting reagent and using its 1:1 mole ratio with Cu(DMSO)2Cl2
Mass of Cu(DMSO)2Cl2 = no. of moles x molecular mass
= 0.002238 mol x 290.72028gmol= 0.6506g
Therefore percentage yield = actual yield/theoretical yield x 100
= 0.4701g/0.6506g x 100
= 72%
The Infrared spectra of Cu(DMSO)2Cl2 and DMSO are attached to lab report.
DISCUSSION
All reactions were done as carefully as possible but however some factors caused errors in the
experiment. Using the syringe as a measuring tool for volume was not highly accurate. Air
bubbles were constantly filled in the syringe when collecting ethanol, this did not give an
accurate amount of volume. Using an instrument with better accuracy such as a measuring
cylinder can help take better measurements of reagents. Transferring the product from the Hirsch
funnel to petri dish after drying caused a bit of the product to fall of the filter paper. This caused
the percentage yield to be lower than expected.

CONCLUSION

In the Cu(DMSO)2Cl2 formed the Lewis acid bonds to the oxygen atom. This is because the
stretching frequency decreased from 1050cm-, which is the dimethyl sulphoxide absorption peak
arising from the S-O bond, to 920.25cm-. The melting point of Cu(DMSO)2Cl2 was found to be
in the range of 148-150oC.
REFRENCES
Housecroft C.E and Sharpe A.G., Inorganic Chemistry, 4th edition, Pearson Education Limited,
Essex, 2012, p1068
Nakamoto K ., Infrared and Raman Spectra of Inorganic and Coordination Compounds, 6th
edition, John Wiley and Sons Publication , New York, 2009, p292

Pike M.R, Singh M.M, Szafran Z., Microscale inorganic chemistry: a comprehensive laboratory
experience, John Wiley and Sons Publication, New York, 1991, p218-222

CHE 323 LABORATORY REPORT

EXPERIMENT

8;

METAL COMPLEXES OF
SULPHOXIDE: THE PREPARATION OF CU(DMSO)2CL2

TUESDAY 0700-1000
DITSHUPO, BOKANG
ID; 201302436

DIMETHHYL