OBJECTIVE

To develop the spectrochemical series by observing the colors of several complex ions.

APPARATUS

1. Test tube rack

2. Test tube
3. Dropper
4. pH paper
5. Glass rod

MATERIALS

a) Chemicals :
1. 1.0M cobalt sulphate heptahydrate
2. 1.0M copper sulphate pentahydrate
3. 1.0M nickel sulphate heptahydrate
4. 95% ethyl alcohol

b) Possible source of ligands :

1. Acetic acid
2. Ammonia
3. Dimethyglyoxime (1% in ethyl alcohol solution)
4. EDTA
5. Ethylenediamine
6. Hydrochloric acid
7. Oxalic acid (saturated solution)
8. Sodium bromide
9. Sodium thiosulfate
10. Tartaric acid (saturated solution)
 PROCEDURE

1. The saturated solution of oxalic acid and tartaric acid was added with small amount
of ammonia so that the pH value of the solution will be neutral.
2. 1 mL of copper(II) solution was measured and poured into 11 small test tubes.
3. 1 of the test tubes contain metallic cation was put a side as a control.
4. The remaining test tubes that contain the copper(II) ion was mixed with a several
drops of each ligand solution or a small scoops of solid ligand. The contents of each
test tubes was mixed thoroughly after each addition. The test tubes was observed
carefully as the ligand was added. The ligand was added continuously until a
noticeable color change occurs. There is no visible change if the addition of ligand
(approx. 3mL) still not change the color of solution. The sample will always compared
with the control.
5. The resulting complexes for cation was line up in order of spectrum (ROYGBIV). The
observed color change was recorded in a data table.
6. Steps 2 to 5 was repeated with the cobalt(II) and nickel(II) solutions.

RESULT

Copper(II) Cobalt(II) Nickel(II)

Ligand Added Initial color New color Initial color New color Initial color New color
Control Light blue Light blue Red Red Green Green
Hydrochloric Light blue Pale blue Red Light red Green Light green
acid
Ammonia Light blue Dirty blue Red Dark green Green Dark blue
Sodium Light blue Pale blue Red Light red Green Light green
thiosulfate
Oxalic acid Light blue Blue cloudy Red Peach Green No changes
(conc. solution)
Acetic acid Light blue No changes Red No changes Green Light green
Tartaric acid Light blue Blue cloudy Red Purpleish Green No changes
(conc. solution)
EDTA Light blue No changes Red No changes Green Blue-green
Sodium bromide Light blue No changes Red No changes Green Pale green
ethylenediamine Light blue Purpleish Red Orange Green Purpleish
precipitate
dimethyglyoxim Light blue Dark green Red Brown Green Red
e precipitate
1. The resulting complexes for cation in increasing order of the spectrum :
a) Copper(II) solution
[Cu(NH3)4]2+
b) Cobalt(II) solution
 [Co(NH3)6]2+
c) Nickel(II) solution
[Co(NH3)6]2+

2. Oder of spectrochemical series.

Br- < Cl- < OH- < SCN- < C2O42- < NH3 < en
The field is increase from weaker to stronger from left to right.
The energy is increase from smaller to larger from left to right.
The wavelength is decrease from longer to shorter from left to right.

3. Formula and name of the complexes

a) Copper(II) solution :
 Cu2+ + 4NH3 (excess)  [Cu(NH3)4]2+
- Tetraamminecopper(II) complex
 Cu2+ + 4Cl-  [Cu(Cl)4]2-
- Tetrachlorocuprate(II) complex
b) Cobalt(II) solution :
 Co2+ + 6NH3(excess)  [Co(NH3)6]2+
- Hexaamminecobalt(II) complex
 Co2+ + 4Cl  [Co(Cl)4]2-
- Tetrachlorocobaltate(II) complex
c) Nickel(II) solution :
 Ni2+ + 6NH3  [Ni(NH3)6]2+
- Hexaamminenickel (II) complex
 Ni2+ + 4Cl-  [Ni(Cl)4]2-
- Tetrachloronickelate(II) complex

DISCUSSION

1. All the test tubes must be washed using distilled water to avoid any contaminant
affected the result.
 2. The addition of the chemical in each test tube must be done under fume hood to
avoid any chemical odour contact with air surrounding.
3. The addition of the ligand must be added drop by drop to observe the color changes
during the addition of ligand.
4. The addition of ammonia in oxalic acid and tartaric acid must be done carefully or
else the pH value will be more than 7.

CONCLUSION

The spectrochemical series of complexes can be arranged by observed the color change
when it was added with ligand. The lowest energy wavelength of ligand will give complexes
in red color whether the highest energy wavelength will give a violet color.