<p>Can someone explain how a solution of sodium cyanide added to a solution of iron(II)chloride, yields the following?</p>
<p>Fe^(2+) + CN^(1-)---> Fe(CN)6^(4-)</p>
<p>The 6 is supposed to be a subscript after the CN and the FeCN6 has a total charge of 4-. For the most part, I do not understand where this charge comes from(this is under descriptive chemistry).</p>
<p>-Thanks in advance</p>
<p>my teacher said although 6 is right, she would prefer us to use 4.</p>
<p>bump.........................................</p>
<p>I think the 4- charge comes from adding the charges of the 2 reactants.
Fe has 2+ and you have 6CN-...so you have 2-6(1) = -4</p>
<p>its called a complex ion - theres something called the Kf - its another equilbrium constant out there - try googling it up</p>
<p>It's a complex ion, so:</p>
<p>You know you will add the CN to the Fe. First question: how many CNs? Multiply the Fe's charge by 2, and you get 4 CNs around the Fe. Since 4 CNs total up to a charge of 4-, then add that to the Fe's 2+ and get 2-. Use the same method if you put 6 CNs around the Fe.</p>
<p>chunlin explained it well</p>
<p>it's just a complex ion, cept w/ CN- instead of NH3......</p>
<p>So glad I'm not taking the test. I suppose if I studied my butt off, I might have pulled off a 4 if I got lucky...I understand organic, and nuclear, and thermodynamics, and lewis structures, and spdf, but all that damn equilibrium stuff kills me. I just don't get it.
I hope you all do well!</p>
<p>Wait, if I add 2 + -1, I get 1, not -4. What am I doing wrong?</p>
<p>There are 6 CN- ions...</p>