Which of the following species does/do not exist? — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Examine the bonding in [Cu(H2O)4]SO4 . H2O (blue vitriol). Step 2: Covalent bonds exist within the water molecules and the SO4^2- ion. Coordinate covalent bonds are formed between the copper ion and oxygen atoms of the four water molecules. Electrovalent (ionic) bonds exist between the complex cation [Cu(H2O)4]^2+ and the anion SO4^2-. Step 3: The fifth water molecule (water of crystallization) is linked to the complex via hydrogen bonding. Thus, [Cu(H2O)4]SO4 . H2O contains all four types of bonding, matching option (a).