coamxtlxl.jpg (23849 bytes)

Preparation
of
HexamineCobalt(III) Chloride

...
This is a synthesis of a
Coordination Compound.

The synthesis is relatively easy, but the procedure also involves some very interesting science.

There is a............ tutorial.
Return to.............Chem 114 syllabus.

 CoAmxtl.jpg (17561 bytes)

(actual width of the picture is about 3 inches)

The orange brown crystals of Co(NH3)6Cl3 shown above were grown slowly over a period of several days.   This slow crystal growth created the large crystals.
The material you will produce in this experiment will be an orange powder.  Faster crystallization produces smaller crystals. Because the smaller crystals reflect more light, they appear to be lighter in color.

COORDINATION COMPOUNDS
CoAmmol1.jpg (6912 bytes) Cobalt is a transition metal and as such its d orbitals are "being filled". They are part of the valence shell and are used in bonding.
In Co(NH3)6Cl3, the six empty  hybrid d2sp3 orbitals are used to bond with the nonbonding electron pair on ammonia.		 CoAmmol2.jpg (7122 bytes)
The  Co(NH3)6+3 ion is octahedrally surrounded by the six ammonia molecules and gives rise to a compact, relatively spherical ion.

SO in solution, where is the Cl of Co(NH3)6Cl3?

© RWK 4/10/98