Lecture 1

Question 1

Equation and conditions of the Haber Process

Answer 1

N2 + 3H2 —> 2NH3

Fe catalyst
450 degrees C
200 atm
- energy intensive process

Question 2

Definition for transition metal

Answer 2

An element with a partially filled d- (or f-) sub-shell and at least one common oxidation state

Question 3

Is copper a transition metal?

Answer 3

• valence e- config: [Ar] 4s1 3d10
• Therefore all d orbitals are filled

• Common oxidation states: Cu+ and Cu2+
• Cu+ Has the electron configuration of [Ar] 3d10
- all d orbitals are filled
• Cu2+ Has the electron configuration of [Ar] 3d9
- one d orbital is partially filled

• Copper is therefore both a transition metal and d-block element

Question 4

Is zinc a transition metal?

Answer 4

• Valence e- config: [Ar]4s2 3d10
• Therefore all d orbitals are filled

• common oxidation states: Zn2+
• Zn2+ has the electron configuration of [Ar] 3d10
• - all d orbitals are filled

• Zinc is a d-block element, but not a transition metal

Question 5

What do these terms mean?:
- primary valency
- secondary valency

Answer 5

• oxidation state
• coordination number (C.N.)

Question 6

Meaning of complex / coordination compound

Answer 6

Positively charged central ion (or neutral atom), known as an acceptor, surrounded in a symmetrical manner by a shell of ions or molecules called ligands.

Question 7

Meaning of:
- acceptor
- ligand

Answer 7

Acceptor:
Electrophile / Lewis acid - it is an electron pair acceptor

Ligand:
Nucleophile / Lewis base - it is an electron pair donor

Question 8

Examples of monodentate / unidentate neutral ligands:
(Consists of 1 donor atom)

Answer 8

Neutral:
Water (𝐎H2)
Ammonia (𝐍H3)
Amines (𝐍R3)
Phosphines (𝐏R3)
Pyridine (benzene ring with 1 carbon replaced with a 𝐍 atom)

Question 9

Examples of monodentate / unidentate anionic ligands:
(Consists of 1 donor atom)

Answer 9

Fluoride ion: 𝐅-
Chloride ion: 𝐂𝐥-
Bromide ion: 𝐁𝐫-
Hydroxide ion: 𝐎H-
Cyanide ion: 𝐂N-

Question 10

Bidentate ligands: drawn on flash cards
(2 donor atoms)

Write the shortened names for
1) bipyridine
2) bis(diphenylphosphinoethane)
3) ethylenediamine
4) bis(dophenylphospino)methane
5) acetylacetonate

What rings do they form?

Answer 10

1) bipy - 5 membered ring
2) dppe - 5 membered ring
3) en - 5 membered ring
4) dppm - 4 membered ring
5) acac- - 6 membered ring

Note: unless specified can refer to these as their shortened names

Question 11

Tridentate ligands: drawn on flashcards
(Three donor atoms)

Write the shortened names for:
1) diethylenetriamine
2) terpyridine
3) bis(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)phenylphosphine

Answer 11

1) dien
2) terpy
3) triphos

Question 12

Tetradentate ligands: drawn on flashcards
(Four donor atoms)

Write the shortened names for:
1) triethylenetetramine
2) triaminotriethylamine
3) tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]phosphine
4) porphyrinates

Answer 12

1) trien
2) tren
3) tetraphos
4)

Question 13

Hexadentate ligands: drawn on flashcards
(Six donor atoms)

Write the shortened name for
1) ethylenediaminetetraacetate

Answer 13

1) [EDTA]4-

This binds very strongly to metals via 2 amino nitrogen atoms and 4 carboxylate oxygen atoms

Question 14

Meaning of chelation

Answer 14

Formation of complexes by chelate ligands (a subset of polydentatee ligands)
Simultaneous binding of multiple donor atoms by forming rings around the central atom

Question 15

Denticity of:

• amide
• amine
• aqua
• bipy

By denticity (donor atom(s))

Answer 15

• NH2^- NR2^-: Mono (N)
• NH3: Mono (N)
• OH2: Mono (O)
• drawn out: Bi(N)

Question 16

Denticity of:

• carbonate
• carbonyl
• carboxylate
• cyano

Answer 16

• CO3^2-: can be both mono or bi through the O
• CO: Mono (C)
• R-COO- Bi (O)
• CN-: Mono(C)

Question 17

Denticity of:

• dien
• acac-
• dbm
• dppe

Answer 17

• drawn out: tri(N)
• both acac- and dbm: bi(O)
• drawn out: Bi(P)

Question 18

Ambidentate ligand meaning

Answer 18

More than 1 possible donor atom to the molecule

Question 19

How is SCN- and NO2^- ambidentate?

Answer 19

𝐒CN⁻⁻:
M-S-C≡N:

𝐍CS⁻⁻:
M<-:N≡C-S⁻⁻

𝐍O2⁻⁻:
M-N(=O)-O⁻⁻

𝐎NO⁻⁻:
M-O-N=O

Question 20

Meaning of bridging ligand

What are common examples?

Answer 20

A ligand attached to 2 or more, usually metallic central atoms

Halide ions (X-), carbonyl (CO), oxo(O²⁻), cyanide ion (CN⁻), hydroxide ion (OH⁻⁻)

Eg inside []2+

H3N 𝐂𝐥 N3H
\ / \ /
Pt Pt
/ \ / \
H3N 𝐂𝐥 N3H

Question 21

Special case of bridging ligands: the cyanide ion

Answer 21

M<-:N≡C⁻⁻-M’

Where a common example is M= Fe(III) and M’=Fe(II)

Question 22

What is the meaning of coordination number?

Answer 22

Number of ligand 𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐌𝐒 directly bonded to the central metal in the complex
𝐍𝐎𝐓 the number of ligands

Eg EDTA^4- is 1 ligand with a coordination number of 6

Question 23

What complexes are possible with:
CN=4
CN=5
CN=6

Answer 23

4: tetrahedral, square planar
5: trigonal bipyramid, square based pyramid
6: octahedral

4 and 6 are most common