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Topic: How many atoms are covalently bonded to the chromium atom?  (Read 5345 times)

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Offline LHM

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How many atoms are covalently bonded to the chromium atom?
« on: January 06, 2011, 08:57:29 PM »
How many atoms are covalently bonded to the chromium atom in Cr(NH3)4Cl3?

I thought it would be 7, but it's 6. Why?

Offline Fluorine

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Re: How many atoms are covalently bonded to the chromium atom?
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2011, 04:19:41 AM »
Is it specifically written Cr(NH3)4Cl3 and not [Cr(NH3)4(Cl)2]Cl? From what I recall the second one would be six because four amine and two chlorine are bonding as well as a chloride ion to neutralize charge of chromium. Inorganic is my weakest aspect.
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Offline LHM

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Re: How many atoms are covalently bonded to the chromium atom?
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2011, 05:09:58 PM »
Yeah, it did say Cr(NH3)4Cl3 exactly, so should I just assume that meant [Cr(NH3)4(Cl)2]Cl? Cause I see how that would be six.

Offline Fluorine

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Re: How many atoms are covalently bonded to the chromium atom?
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2011, 07:30:45 PM »
I'm not sure if it's safe to assume, especially not knowing the question's origin. If you know for certain it's six bonds and that is the exact formula they gave you then yes, personally, I would go [Cr(NH3)4(Cl)2]Cl.
I'm still learning - always check my work/answer.

"curse Pierre Jules César Janssen!"

Offline ardbeg

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Re: How many atoms are covalently bonded to the chromium atom?
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2011, 11:14:50 PM »
have you studied ligand field theory yet?  also, its a pretty general rule that transition metals have coordination numbers of 6 or less.

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