A compound has the formula #PtCl_4*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 #AgNO_3# 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. #K_2[PtCl_6]#

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 #K_2[PtCl_6]#, a #"platinum IV+"# species, is likely. In solution it would give 3 equiv of ions: #2xxK^(+) + [PtCl_6]^(2-)#, which is consistent with the conductance measurements.

What is the likely structure of the platinum complex?

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