Ch 3: Periodicity HL

1. Explain why the [Cu(H2O)6]2+ ion is coloured and why the [CuCl4]2
ion has a different colour.

- Colour is due to energy being absorbed when electrons are promoted

within the split d orbitals.

- The colour observed is the complementary colour to the energy

absorbed.

- Changing the ligands or the coordination number changes the amount

the energy difference between the d orbitals.

2. Explain why copper is considered a transition metal while scandium is

not.

- Cu compounds are coloured and Sc compounds are colourless

- Cu has more than one oxidation state and Sc has only one oxidation state.

- Cu compounds act as a catalyst and Sc cannot act as a catalyst

3. State and explain the type of reaction that takes place between Fe3+ and
H2O to form [Fe(H2O)6]3+ in terms of acid-base theories.

- Lewis acid-base reaction

- H2O: electron pair donor and Fe3+: electron pair acceptor

4. Explain why [Fe(H2O)6]3+ is coloured.

- d sub-levels are split into two sets of orbitals of different energies

- When white light passes through a transition metal compound some

frequencies are absorbed and an electron is promoted from a lower
energy level to a high one.

- The remaining light appears coloured as the transmitted light in the

white light minus the absorbed frequencies.
 Ch 3: Periodicity HL
5. Explain the origin of colour in transition metal complexes and use your
explanation to suggest why copper(II) sulfate, CuSO4(aq), is blue, but
zinc sulfate, ZnSO4(aq), is colourless.

- d orbitals are split (into two sets of different energies);

- Frequencies of (visible) light absorbed by electrons moving from
lower to higher
d levels;
- Colour due to remaining frequencies/complementary colour
transmitted;
- Cu2+ has unpaired electrons/partially filled d sub-level;
- Zn2+ has filled d sub-shell;
- electronic transitions possible for Cu2+ but not for Zn2+;

6. Cu2+(aq) reacts with ammonia to form the complex ion [Cu(NH3)4]2+.

Explain this reaction in terms of an acid-base theory, and outline how the
bond is formed between Cu2+ and NH3.

- NH3: Lewis base / Cu2+: Lewis acid;

- Each NH3 donates an electron pair (to Cu2+);
NH3 replace H2O ligands around Cu2+ ion/around central ion;
forming coordinate (covalent)/dative covalent bond;

7. Explain why copper(II) compounds in aqueous solution are coloured

whereas scandium(III) compounds in aqueous solution are colourless.

- Cu2+ has an incomplete d sub-level and Sc3+ has no d electrons;

- The d sub-level is split so the d electrons can be excited by visible light.

8. Define the term ligand:

Ligands are neutral molecules or anions which contain a non-bonding pair

of electron which forms a dative covalent bond with a metal by
forming a complex ion.
 Ch 3: Periodicity HL
9. Explain why the complex [Fe(H2O)6]3+ is coloured.
- Has partially filled d subshell/sublevel/orbitals;
- d orbitals are split (into two sets of different energies)
- Colour due to electron transition between (split) d orbitals;
- Frequencies of visible light absorbed by electrons moving from
lower to higher d levels, colour due to remaining frequencies.

10. Explain why many transition metal d-block complexes are coloured.
- Presence of unpaired electrons
- The d orbitals are split into two energy levels
- Electrons move between these energy levels.
- Absorb energy from light of visible wavelength.

11. State 2 oxidation states for iron and explain these in terms of
electron arrangements:
- Fe2+ and Fe3+
- Both s electrons are lost giving Fe2+ and one more d electron is
also lost to form Fe3+

12. Haber process:

- N2 + 3H2 2NH3
- Iron is the catalyst

13. Formula and shape of complex ion between Fe3+ and CN-
- [Fe(CN)6]3-
- Octahedral

14.Which of the elements are not considered a typical transition

element:
- Scandium and Zinc

15. Catalysts:
- V2O5 in the contact process
- Fe in the Haber process.

16. Combination of ion charge and ion size produces the greatest lattice
enthalpy.
- High charge, small size