A coordination compound of cobalt has the empirical formula . One mole of this compound produces mol — Coordination Compounds Chemistry Question
Question
A coordination compound of cobalt has the empirical formula $CoCl_3 \cdot 5NH_3$. One mole of this compound produces $3$ moles of ions in an aqueous solution. Based on Werner's theory, how many chloride ions are present inside the coordination sphere?
Answer: 1
💡 Solution & Explanation
If 1 mole of the complex yields 3 moles of ions, it must ionise into 1 complex cation and 2 chloride anions. Thus, $2$ $Cl^-$ ions are outside the coordination sphere. Since the empirical formula contains $3$ $Cl$ atoms, exactly $1$ $Cl^-$ must be present inside the coordination sphere, giving the formula $[Co(NH_3)_5Cl]Cl_2$.
💬Ask on WhatsApp →
Still have doubts about this question?
Send it to our AI chemistry tutor on WhatsApp — gets answered in minutes