Question 13
Aqueous copper sulphate solution (blue in colour) gives:
(i) a green precipitate with aqueous potassium fluoride, and
(ii) a bright green solution with aqueous potassium chloride
Explain these experimental results.
Answer
Aqueous CuSO4 exists as [Cu(H2O)4]SO4. It is blue in colour due to the presence of
[Cu[H2O)4]2+ ions.
(i) When KF is added:
(ii) When KCl is added:
In both these cases, the weak field ligand water is replaced by the F - and Cl - ions.
