In the hydrometallurgical recovery step of Gold, Zinc powder is added to the soluble aurocyanide com — Metallurgy and Isolation of Elements Chemistry Question
Question
In the hydrometallurgical recovery step of Gold, Zinc powder is added to the soluble aurocyanide complex. Let $x$ be the coordination number of $Au$ in the initial complex, and $y$ be the coordination number of $Zn$ in the resulting product complex. What is the value of $y - x$?
Answer: C
💡 Solution & Explanation
The reaction is $2Na[Au(CN)_2] + Zn \rightarrow Na_2[Zn(CN)_4] + 2Au$. The initial complex is the linear dicyanoaurate(I) ion, so $x = 2$. The product is the tetrahedral tetracyanozincate(II) ion, so $y = 4$. The difference $y - x = 4 - 2 = 2$.
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