Nickel(II) formate [Ni(HCO₂)₂] is widely used as a catalyst precursor and to make metallic nickel. It can be prepared in the general chemistry laboratory by treating nickel(II) acetate with formic acid (HCO₂H).

(a) What is the theoretical yield of nickel(II) formate from 0.500 g of nickel(II) acetate and excess formic acid? 

(b) Is nickel(II) formate paramagnetic or diamagnetic? If it is paramagnetic, how many unpaired electrons would you expect?

(c) If nickel(II) formate is heated to 300°C in the absence of air for 30 minutes, the salt decomposes to form pure nickel powder. What mass of nickel powder should be produced by heating 253 mg of nickel(II) formate? Are nickel atoms paramagnetic?

Transcribed Image Text:

Ni(CH3CO₂) 2(aq) + 2 HCO₂H(aq) → Ni(HCO₂)2(aq) + 2 CH3CO₂H(aq)