Question

The coordination compound Co3[Cr(CN)6]2 contains Co2+ cations and a complex anion. What is the likely oxidation state for Cr in the anion?

Answer 1

Answer:

-3

Explanation:

The oxidation state or oxidation number of an atom is the total number of electrons that an atom either gains or loses in order to form a chemical bond with another atom.

The complex anion here is [Cr(CN)6]3-.

Now, as the oxidation state of CN or cyanide ligand is -1, and if we suppose the oxidation state of Cr to be 'x', then; x - 6 = -3 (overall charge on the anion),

so x= +3. Hence the oxidation state of Chromium in this complex hexacyanochromium (III) anion comes out to be -3.

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