Ligand substitution reactions
Ligand substitution reactions
Formula
[Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺ + 4Cl⁻ → [CuCl₄]²⁻ + 6H₂O
Real World
Adding concentrated hydrochloric acid to blue copper sulfate solution turns it yellow-green as chloride ligands replace water — this colour change is used in cobalt chloride humidity indicator paper.
Exam Focus
Note changes in coordination number and geometry during substitution — e.g. octahedral (6) to tetrahedral (4) with Cl⁻.
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