The Co²⁺/ Co(SCN)₄²⁻ Equilibrium
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Chemical Concept Demonstrated
- The tendency for ionic substrates to extract into more polar solvents
Demonstration
75 mL of water is poured into a funnel.
A blue ether solution, made up of KSCN, CoCl2, and ethyl ether, is added to the funnel. The funnel is stoppered and the contents inside are shaken. |
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Observations
The water layer changes into a pink solution at the bottom of the separatory funnel.
Explanation
Water is more polar than ethyl ether. Some of the Co2+ ions are extracted into the water layer from the Co(SCN)4 2-complex ions formed in the ether solution. The presence of Cl - can be seen by adding silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution until a white precipitate forms in the water layer at the bottom of the separatory funnel.