Inorganic Chemistry> Why co ordination number is fixed for a m...

Why co ordination number is fixed for a metal? How can we say that primary valencies are ionizable if we take the eg. Of K4[Fe(CN)6]

Arundhati , 8 Years ago

Grade 12

4 Answers

Umakant biswal

Last Activity: 8 Years ago

@ arundhati
coordination number generally defines the charge on the metal or the no. of nearest neighbours that surrounds the atom .
so, metals as having solid state doesnot loose or gain electron so easily , in normal state ,
so, in that case we can say that its fixed for a metal .
HOPE IT CLEARS "
ALL THE BEST ..

Arundhati

Last Activity: 8 Years ago

Werner theory states that every metal cation has a fixed coordination no. But if we consider K4[Fe(CN)6] and [Fe(Cl)4]^-2 the coordination no. of iron in both cases is different?

Ranit Ram

Last Activity: 8 Years ago

According to Werner`s Theory on coordination compounds, transition metals have two types of valency – 1. primary valency which is ionizable and 2.Secondary valency which is the C.N. of the transition metal / metal ion. In case of a particularcompound, C.N. of the transition metal is always fixed, bcz it states, the highest extent of coordination of that particular transition metal. But, you can`t say, the C.N.of a metal is always fixed as in CoCl4(–2), C.N. of Co(II) is 4 while in case of [Co(H2O)6]+3, C.N. of Co(III) is 6 ; again, in case of [Co(CN)5]–2, C.N. of Co(III) is 5... Again, you notice, the primary valency of Co I guess.In case of K4[Fe(CN)6], primary valency of iron is 3, which is its oxidation state (+3) too and this is ionizable valency and C.N. if Fe(III) is 6. Hope it helps...