In the Brown Ring test for the nitrate () ion, a brown complex is formed. What is the formal oxidati — Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis Chemistry Question
Question
In the Brown Ring test for the nitrate ($NO_3^-$) ion, a brown complex $[Fe(H_2O)_5NO]SO_4$ is formed. What is the formal oxidation state and the number of unpaired electrons on the central Iron atom?
Answer: B
💡 Solution & Explanation
In this complex, the nitrosyl ligand donates an electron to the iron center, acting as $NO^+$. This reduces the iron atom from $Fe^{2+}$ to $Fe^+$. The $Fe^+$ ion has a $3d^7$ configuration, which in a high-spin octahedral field has 3 unpaired electrons.
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