A2 Transition Elements Test 24 March 2022

Name: ……………………….…………. Total: 50 Marks

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INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 50.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
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1.1 Which property/properties is/are correct for a transition element?

1 The element has atoms with a partially filled d sub-shell.
2 The existence of more than one oxidation state in its compounds.
3 The formation of coloured ions.

A 1, 2 and 3
B Only 1 and 2
C Only 2 and 3
D Only 1 [1]

1.2 Which statement about elements in the d block of Period 4 of the periodic table is correct?
A Cr atoms have the electron configuration: 1s22s22p63s23p63d54s1.
B Cu+ ions contain an incomplete 3d sub-shell.
C Fe2+ ions contain 3 unpaired electrons.
D Sc forms ions with different oxidation states. [1]

1.3 Which statement(s) for the complex ion [Co(NH2CH2CH2NH2)3]2+ is/are correct?
1 It has cis and trans isomers.
2 It has optical isomers.
3 It has a coordination number of 6.

A 1, 2 and 3
B Only 1 and 2
C Only 2 and 3
D Only 1 [1]
[Total:3]
2 (a) Define a transition element.
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) Complete the electron configuration of
a Ni atom: 1s2 ..........................................................................................................................
a Ni2+ ion: 1s2 ..................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) The d orbitals in an isolated transition metal ion are degenerate. In complexes, the d orbitals
occupy two energy levels.
(i) Complete the diagram to show the arrangement of d orbital energy levels in octahedral and in
tetrahedral complexes.

[1]

(ii) Sketch the shape of a 3dz2 orbital.

Use the axes below.

[1]

(iii) Is this orbital from the lower energy level or higher energy level in an octahedral complex?
…………………………………………………………………….. [1]
[Total:6]
3 (a) (i) NH3 acts as a monodentate ligand. State what is meant by monodentate ligand.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) Aqueous silver ions, Ag+(aq), react with aqueous ammonia, NH3(aq), to form a linear complex.
Suggest the formula of this complex, including its charge.
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
+
(b) There are two isomeric complex ions with the formula [Cr(NH3)4Cl2] . One is green and the other is
violet.
(i) Suggest the type of isomerism shown by these two complex ions.
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Explain why these two complex ions are coloured and why they have different colours.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [4]

(c) The ligand ethane-1,2-diamine, H2NCH2CH2NH2, is represented by en.

Nickel forms the complex ion [Ni(en)3]2+ in which it is surrounded octahedrally by six nitrogen
atoms.
Draw three-dimensional diagrams to show the stereoisomers of [Ni(en)3]2+.
Each en ligand can be represented using . [2]

[Total:10]
4 The transition elements are able to form stable complexes with a wide range of molecules and ions.
(a) [MnCl4]2– is a complex ion.
(i) Deduce the oxidation state of manganese in [MnCl4]2–.

oxidation state = .............................. [1]

(ii) The [MnCl4]2– complex does not contain any 180° bond angles.
Draw a three-dimensional diagram to show the shape of the [MnCl4]2– complex.

State one bond angle on your diagram.

[2]
(iii) Name the type of bonding that exist between the ligands and manganese.
…………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(b) A solution of cobalt(II) sulfate contains the complex ion [Co(H 2O)6]2+.
A solution containing [Co(H2O)6]2+ is reacted separately with an excess of each of NaOH(aq), and
NaCl(aq).

Write an equation for each of these reactions. State one observation that can be made immediately
after the reaction, include the colour and state of the cobalt-containing product.
(i) [Co(H2O)6]2+ and an excess of NaOH(aq)
equation ..............................................................................................................................
observation ......................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) [Co(H2O)6]2+ and an excess of NaCl(aq)

equation ..............................................................................................................................
observation ......................................................................................................................... [2]

(iii) Name the type of reaction that occurs in (b)(ii).

...................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total:9]
5 Platinum also forms complexes.
(a) Platinum can form the compound [Pt(NH3)4Cl2][PtCl4].
State the co-ordination numbers and the oxidation numbers of the platinum in the two ions of this
compound.

[2]
(b) In this question you should consider geometrical and optical isomerism.
What type of isomerism is shown by the following complexes?
You should answer geometrical, optical, both or neither.
octahedral [Co(NH2CH2CH2NH2)2Cl2]+ .......................................................................................
square planar [Ni(CN)2Cl2]2– ......................................................................................................
tetrahedral [CuBr2Cl2]2– ............................................................................................................. [3]

(c) Molybdenum, Mo, forms an octahedral complex consisting of one Mo atom surrounded by carbon
monoxide, CO, molecules. CO is a monodentate ligand. Iron forms an octahedral complex
consisting of one Fe3+ and a number of cyanide, CN–, ions. CN– is a monodentate ligand.

(i) Complete the table by stating the formulae and charges of the complexes described.

[2]
(ii) Draw a three-dimensional diagram to show the shape of this iron(III) complex.
Label one 180° bond angle on your diagram.

[1]
 (d) An excess of aqueous ammonia is added to dilute copper(II) sulfate solution. A dark blue complex,
[Cu(NH3)4(H2O)2]2+, is formed.
(i) Write an ionic equation for this reaction.
....................................................................................................................................... [1]
(e) An excess of hydrochloric acid is added to the dark blue solution of [Cu(NH3)4(H2O)2]2+. A new
complex, Z, is formed. The colour of the solution changes.
(i) Write an equation for the formation of Z from the solution of [Cu(NH3)4(H2O)2]2+. Include the
formula and charge of Z.
....................................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) Name the type of reaction when Z forms from [Cu(NH3)4(H2O)2]2+ .
....................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iii) State the geometry of Z.
....................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iv) State the colour of a solution of Z.
....................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total:14]

6 An excess of aqueous ammonia is added to a solution containing the complex ion [Co(H2O)6]2+.
[Co(H2O)6]2+ + 6NH3 ⇌ [Co(NH3)6]2+ + 6H2O
(a) Complete the sentence to describe the colour change that will be seen during this reaction.
The colour changes from ................................................ to .............................................. . [1]

(b) What is meant by the term stability constant, Kstab?

.............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) Write an expression for the stability constant, Kstab, of [Co(NH3)6]2+ and state its units.

Kstab =

units = ………………………
[2]

(d) The numerical value of Kstab of [Co(NH3)6]2+ is 7.7 × 104.

What deduction about the properties of [Co(NH3)6]2+ and [Co(H2O)6]2+ can be made from this
Kstab value?
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
(e) Edds4– and edta4– are polydentate ligands that form octahedral complexes with Fe 3+(aq).

The formulae of the complexes are [Fe(edds)]– and [Fe(edta)]– respectively.

(i) On the diagram of edds4–, circle each atom that forms a bond to the Fe3+ ion in [Fe(edds)]–. [1]

(ii) The table shows the values for the stability constants, Kstab, of both complexes.

Predict which of the [Fe(edds)]– and [Fe(edta)]– complexes is more stable.

Explain your answer with reference to the Kstab value for each complex.
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) When an excess of edta4–(aq) is added to [Fe(edds)]–(aq), the following equilibrium is

established.
[Fe(edds)]–(aq) + edta4–(aq) ⇌ [Fe(edta)]–(aq) + edds4–(aq)

Calculate the equilibrium constant, Kc, for this equilibrium, using the Kstab values given in
the table in (e)(iii).

Kc = .............................. [1]

[Total:8]