The addition of excess potassium cyanide () to an aqueous solution containing and followed by passin — Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis Chemistry Question
Question
The addition of excess potassium cyanide ($KCN$) to an aqueous solution containing $Cu^{2+}$ and $Cd^{2+}$ followed by passing $H_2S$ gas results in which of the following observations?
Answer: C
💡 Solution & Explanation
Both ions form soluble cyano complexes: $[Cu(CN)_4]^{3-}$ and $[Cd(CN)_4]^{2-}$. The copper complex is highly stable ($K_d$ is very small), providing virtually no free $Cu^+$ to precipitate. The cadmium complex is less stable, dissociating enough to provide $Cd^{2+}$ which exceeds the $K_{sp}$ of $CdS$, yielding a yellow precipitate.
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