Question
Aqueous copper sulphate solution (blue in colour) gives:
(i) a green precipitate with aqueous potassium fluoride and
(ii) a bright green solution with aqueous potassium chloride. Explain these experimental results.
Solution
Aqueous copper sulphate contains coordination entities [Cu(H2O)4]2+ which are blue in colour. Water molecule is a weaker ligand than Cl– and F–.
(a) On addition of aqueous KF solution, a new complex entity is formed which is of green colour.
(b) On addition of aqueous solution of KCl, an another complex entity is formed which is soluble in water.