Identify the following as a complex ion or coordination compound:
1) [Co(NH3)3Cl3]
2) [Co(NH3)3Cl2]Cl
3) [Ni(NH3)4]^2+
4) [Cu(NH3)4]^2+
ions have charge, compounds do not.
To identify whether a chemical formula represents a complex ion or a coordination compound, we need to consider the central metal/ion and the ligands around it.
1) [Co(NH3)3Cl3]:
This chemical formula is a complex ion. It consists of a cobalt ion (Co) surrounded by three ammonia ligands (NH3) and three chloride ligands (Cl). The complex ion is enclosed in square brackets.
2) [Co(NH3)3Cl2]Cl:
This chemical formula is also a complex ion. It contains one cobalt ion (Co) surrounded by three ammonia ligands (NH3) and two chloride ligands (Cl). Additionally, there is an extra chloride ion (Cl) outside the square brackets. The square brackets indicate the complex ion, while the Cl outside the brackets is a counterion.
3) [Ni(NH3)4]^2+:
This chemical formula is a coordination compound. It consists of a nickel ion (Ni) surrounded by four ammonia ligands (NH3). The coordination number of the nickel ion is indicated by the superscript +2.
4) [Cu(NH3)4]^2+:
This chemical formula is also a coordination compound. It contains a copper ion (Cu) surrounded by four ammonia ligands (NH3). The coordination number of the copper ion is indicated by the superscript +2.
In summary, compounds 1 and 2 are complex ions, while compounds 3 and 4 are coordination compounds.