Question

How do you balance this equation? `Fe(NO_3)_3 + KSCN -> Fe(NO_3)_3 + KSCN`

Answer 1

NO

Explanation:

Since,the reactants side is the same as product side,hence, no chemical reaction has taken place.

Hence,since it isn't even a chemical reaction it cant be ballanced.

Answer 2

`Fe(NO_3)_3 + 3KSCN rarr [Fe(SCN)_3] + 3KNO_3`

Explanation:

The tristhiocyanato iron species is a so-called complex ion. Both mass and charge are balanced in the equation.

Answer 3

You haven't actually written any products but I will describe the reaction below:

Explanation:

Iron(III) ions form a blood-red complex with thiocyanate ions in a 1:1 molar ratio.

`Fe(NO_3)_3` + `KSCNrarr[FeSCN]^(2+)+K^++3NO_3^-`

The ionic equation which omits the spectator ions is:

`Fe_((aq))^(3+)+SCN_((aq))^(-)rarr[Fe(SCN)]_((aq))^(2+)`

The complex is very intensely coloured and this reaction is often used as a qualitative test for iron(III) ions.

Strictly speaking we have a ligand exchange reaction:

`[Fe(H_2O)_6]^(3+)+SCN^(-)rarr[Fe(H_2O)_5SCN]^(2+)+H_2O`

The reaction is shown here: