Question

cobalt cations (co2 ) complex with the thiocyanate anion (scn-) similar to the way the fe3 cation does, but the cobalt complex is blue instead of being orange, as it is for iron. if an orange solution of fe(scn)2 in equilibrium with fe3 and scn- had a relatively small amount of co2 added, what would be the result?

Answer 1

When a small amount of Co²⁺ is added to an orange Fe(SCN)2 complex equilibrium, the equilibrium shifts towards the formation of more Co(SCN)⁺, resulting in a decrease in the concentration of Fe(SCN)²⁺ and causing the solution to appear more blue.

Step-by-step explanation:

The orange Fe(SCN)2 complex equilibrium can be represented as:

1. Fe³⁺ + SCN⁻ → Fe(SCN)²⁺

When a small amount of Co²⁺ is added to the system, the Co²⁺ ions will also complex with the SCN⁻ anions:

1. Co²⁺ + SCN⁻ → Co(SCN)⁺

Since the Co(SCN)⁺ complex is blue, the overall result would be a shift in the equilibrium towards the formation of more Co(SCN)⁺, decreasing the concentration of Fe(SCN)²⁺ and causing the solution to appear less orange and more blue.