The correct order of acidity among the following species is: a. [Na(H2...
Acidity Order of Aquo Complexes
Possible answer:
The correct order of acidity among the following species is:
c. [Mn(H2O)6]2 > [Ni(H2O)6]2 > [Sc(H2O)6]3 > [Na(H2O)6]
Explanation:
The acidity of an aquo complex depends on the ease of losing a proton (H+) from the coordinated water molecules, which act as weak bases. The more stable the conjugate base, the stronger the acid. Factors that affect the stability of the conjugate base include the charge, size, and electronegativity of the metal ion, as well as the extent of delocalization of the negative charge.
The order of acidity among the given aquo complexes can be rationalized as follows:
1. [Mn(H2O)6]2: Mn(II) is a smaller and more highly charged ion than Sc(III) or Ni(II), which makes it more polarizing and more likely to form a stable conjugate base upon protonation. In addition, the negative charge can be delocalized over several oxygen atoms in the hexaaquamanganese(II) ion, making it even more stable.
2. [Ni(H2O)6]2: Ni(II) is a larger and less highly charged ion than Mn(II) or Sc(III), but still more polarizing than Na(I). The hexaaquanickel(II) ion has a less delocalized negative charge than the hexaaquamanganese(II) ion, but still enough to stabilize the conjugate base.
3. [Sc(H2O)6]3: Sc(III) is the largest and least polarizing ion among the given aquo complexes, and therefore less likely to form a stable conjugate base than Mn(II) or Ni(II). The hexaaquascandium(III) ion has a localized negative charge on one oxygen atom, which is less stable than a delocalized negative charge.
4. [Na(H2O)6]: Na(I) is not an acidic aquo complex, as it does not have any empty d orbitals to accept electron density from the water molecules. Therefore, it cannot donate a proton to water and does not have a conjugate base.