A student has prepared a sample of [Zn(en) 3 ]Cl 2 (en=H 2 NCH 2 CH 2
Question:
A student has prepared a sample of [Zn(en)3]Cl2 (en=H2NCH2CH2NH2) but is worried that the complex appears blue when [Zn(en)3]Cl2 should be colourless. The student wonders if she picked up a bottle of nickel(II) chloride instead of zinc(II) chloride. The experimental CHN analysis for the complex is C 23.00, H 7.71, N 26.92%.
(a) Do the elemental analytical data distinguish between [Zn(en)3]Cl2 and [Ni(en)3]Cl2? Comment on your answer.
(b) How would mass spectrometry help you to distinguish between the two compounds?
(c) By referring to Chapter 20, suggest why 1H NMR spectroscopy might be useful in distinguishing between [Zn(en)3]Cl2 and [Ni(en)3]Cl2.
(d) A single crystal X-ray diffraction study was carried out and confirms the presence of [M(en)3]Cl2. Can this technique unambiguously assign M to Zn or Ni?
(e) Explain why AAS could be used to confirm the identity of the metal.
Step by Step Answer:
a Elemental analytical data can provide important clues to distinguish between Znen3Cl2 and Nien3Cl2 Since both complexes contain the same ligand en ethylenediamine the differences in the percentages ...View the full answer
