A compound has the formula PtCl4⋅2KCl...?

From electrical conductance tests of an aqueous solution of the compound, you find that three ions per formula unit are present, and you also notice that addition of AgNO3 does not cause a precipitate.

a) Give the formula for this compound that shows the complex ion present.

b) Explain your findings.

c) Name this compound.

Any help would be appreciated.

1 Answer
anor277
Oct 1, 2016

The complex is likely potassium hexachloroplatinate, i.e. K2[PtCl6]

Explanation:

Because no precipitate is observed with Ag+, there is no free halide ion present, and so all the halides are bound to platinum metal. And thus K2[PtCl6], a platinum IV+ species, is likely. In solution it would give 3 equiv of ions: 2×K++[PtCl6]2−, which is consistent with the conductance measurements.

What is the likely structure of the platinum complex?

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