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Ch.21 - Transition Elements and Coordination Chemistry
Chapter 21, Problem 21.65

What is the oxidation state of the metal in each of the complexes?
a. [Ni(CN)5]3–
b. Ni(CO)4
c. [Co(en)2(H2O)Br]2+
d. [Cu(H2O)2(C2O4)2]2–
e. Co(NH3)3(NO2)3

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Oxidation State

The oxidation state, or oxidation number, is a measure of the degree of oxidation of an atom in a chemical compound. It indicates the number of electrons that an atom can gain, lose, or share when forming chemical bonds. Understanding oxidation states is crucial for determining the charge of metal ions in coordination complexes, which is essential for solving the given question.
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Coordination Complexes

Coordination complexes consist of a central metal atom or ion bonded to surrounding molecules or ions, known as ligands. The nature of these ligands, whether they are neutral or charged, affects the overall charge of the complex and the oxidation state of the metal. Recognizing the types of ligands and their charges is vital for accurately calculating the oxidation states in the provided complexes.
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Ligand Charge and Coordination Number

The charge of ligands and the coordination number, which is the number of ligand atoms bonded to the central metal, play a significant role in determining the oxidation state of the metal. For example, neutral ligands like CO and NH3 do not contribute to the overall charge, while charged ligands like CN- and NO2- do. Analyzing these factors helps in deducing the oxidation state of the metal in each complex.
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