The IUPAC name of K3FeCl6 is Potassium hexachloroferrate(III).
- Explanation
- Potassium: The compound starts with potassium because it is a cation with a charge of +1.
- Hexachloroferrate(III): The complex anion is named hexachloroferrate(III) because it contains a central iron atom with a charge of +3 surrounded by six chloride ions, each with a charge of -1.
- Overall Structure: The compound K3FeCl6 consists of three potassium cations (K+) and one hexachloroferrate(III) anion ([FeCl6]3-). The potassium cations balance the charge of the anion to form a neutral compound.
- Naming Conventions: In naming coordination compounds, cations are named before anions. The central metal ion is named first, followed by the ligands in alphabetical order, and ending with the oxidation state of the central metal ion in Roman numerals.
- Importance: Potassium hexachloroferrate(III) is used in various chemical processes, including inorganic synthesis and analytical chemistry. It is also a common reagent in the laboratory for certain reactions.
- Formula Breakdown: The formula K3FeCl6 indicates that there are three potassium ions, one iron ion, and six chloride ions in the compound, resulting in a total charge balance of zero.