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Tutorial Questions Lecture 1 and 2

The document contains tutorial questions related to reaction mechanisms in coordination complexes, covering topics such as substitution reactions, activation energy, and various mechanisms. It includes true/false statements, equations, and descriptions of processes, as well as questions on specific reactions and stereochemistry. The aim is for students to answer these questions based on their understanding without referring to lecture materials.

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Ishana Bhagirathie
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48 views3 pages

Tutorial Questions Lecture 1 and 2

The document contains tutorial questions related to reaction mechanisms in coordination complexes, covering topics such as substitution reactions, activation energy, and various mechanisms. It includes true/false statements, equations, and descriptions of processes, as well as questions on specific reactions and stereochemistry. The aim is for students to answer these questions based on their understanding without referring to lecture materials.

Uploaded by

Ishana Bhagirathie
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

TUTORIAL QUESTIONS

Lecture 1 and 2. Reaction Mechanisms


Please attempt all questions and try to answer them without browsing through the
lectures simultaneously.
1. State the three (3) reactions that a coordination complex can undergo:
A. ………………….
B. ………………….
C. ………………….

2. State the generic form of a substitution reaction:


………………………→ …………………..

3. True or false
The principle of microscopic reversibility states that the highest energy pathway going
in one direction must be the lowest energy pathway going in the opposite direction.
…………….

4. Describe the following processes (a, b and c) in the graphs below. Note: include the
terms activation energy, reaction rate, equilibrium and Gibbs free energy.

5. True or false
A labile complex has a very high activation energy for ligand substitution. ………

6. True or false
The smaller the central atom and the higher the positive charge, the more inert the
complex will be. ……….
7. Consider the reaction that will take place when a water ligand in the
hexaaquanickel(II) ion is replaced by ammonia.
A. Write an overall equation for the reaction?
B. Write a mechanism for the reaction if:
i. It followed an associative mechanism
ii. It followed a dissociative mechanism iii.
C. Indicate the rate determining step for each mechanism.

D. State the rate law for each mechanism form part B above.

8. What is meant by an interchange mechanism?


…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………

9. Point out the correct rate determining step for an associative-dissociative mechanism
(Ad):
A. Y attaching to ML6X
B. Y attaching to ML6
C. Loss of X from ML6X
D. Loss of X from YML6X

10. Predict the products of these reactions taking the trans effect into consideration.
[PtCl4]2- + NO2- → (a) (a) + NH3 → (b)
[PtCl3NH3] + NO2 → (c)
- -
(c) + NO2- → (d)

11. Choose the incorrect description based on the stereochemistry of square planar
complexes:
A. A cis square planar complex will yield a trans product
B. Substitution of a square planar complex preserves the original geometry, which
suggests a trigonal pyramidal state.
C. Substitution of a square planar complex yields a trigonal bipyramidal transition
state.

12. Why does steric crowding favor a dissociative mechanism?

13. Name three (3) main differences between an inner-sphere and outer-sphere
mechanism.

14. What does tunneling mean?


15. Name the processes of each of the following inner sphere reactions.

(1) [Co(NH3)5(Cl)]2+ + [Cr(H2O)6]2+ → [(NH3)5Co(Cl)Cr(H2O)5]4+ + H2O


Co(III) oxidant Cr(II) reductant Co(III) + Cr(II)
(2) [(NH3)5Co(Cl)Cr(H2O)5] → [(NH3)5Co(Cl)Cr(H2O)5]4+
4+

Co(III) + Cr(II) Co(II) + Cr(III)


(3) [(NH3)5Co(Cl)Cr(H2O)5] + H2O → [NH3)5Co(H2O)]2+ + [(Cl)Cr(H2O)5]2+
4+

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