What is the color of the complex [Cu(H2O)6]2+? (2023) 2023
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
What is the color of the complex [Cu(H2O)6]2+? (2023) 2023
Green
Blue
Red
Yellow
[Cu(H2O)6]2+ is typically blue due to the d-d transitions of the copper ion in an octahedral field.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: What is the color of the complex [Cu(H2O)6]2+? (2023) 2023
Solution: [Cu(H2O)6]2+ is typically blue due to the d-d transitions of the copper ion in an octahedral field.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Identify the complex ion, which is [Cu(H2O)6]2+. This means it has a copper ion (Cu) surrounded by six water molecules (H2O).
Step 2: Understand that the copper ion (Cu2+) has unpaired electrons in its d-orbitals.
Step 3: Recognize that when light hits the complex, some wavelengths of light are absorbed due to electronic transitions (d-d transitions) in the copper ion.
Step 4: Determine that the specific wavelengths of light absorbed correspond to certain colors, and the remaining light that is not absorbed gives the complex its color.
Step 5: Conclude that [Cu(H2O)6]2+ absorbs light in the red region of the spectrum, which means it appears blue to our eyes.
