What is the electron configuration of the complex: Fe(C2O4)3 3-
I am not really quite sure how to go about doing this and whether the electron configuration are supposed to be for each atom.
Here is some reading for you. Scroll to the very end for the Fe complex with oxalate ion but reading earlier in the site will explain what is going on.
To determine the electron configuration of the complex Fe(C2O4)3 3-, you need to first determine the electron configuration of each individual atom within the complex. However, it's important to note that the electron configuration of the complex refers to the distribution of electrons in the outermost energy levels of the metal ion.
In this case, the complex contains an iron (Fe) ion coordinated with three oxalate (C2O4) ligands. To determine the electron configuration of Fe, we need to consider its atomic number, which is 26. The electron configuration of Fe in its neutral state (Fe atom) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d6.
Since Fe is in a complex, it essentially loses electrons and forms an ion. The overall charge of the complex is 3-, indicating that the Fe ion has a charge of +3. To form Fe3+, three electrons are removed from the 4s and 3d orbitals. Therefore, the electron configuration of Fe3+ would be 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d5.
Now, let's consider the oxalate (C2O4) ligand. The oxalate ion has a 2- charge, which means that it has two extra electrons. The electron configuration of a carbon (C) atom is 1s2 2s2 2p2. In the oxalate ion, there are two carbon atoms, which means you will have two sets of 1s2 2s2 2p2.
Now, we need to distribute the two extra electrons of the oxalate ion. Each extra electron fills up the 2p orbital of one of the carbon atoms. So, the electron configuration of the oxalate ion is 1s2 2s2 2p6 2p6.
Now that we know the electron configuration of each individual atom, we can write the electron configuration of the complex Fe(C2O4)3 3-. Since Fe3+ has a 3d5 electron configuration, and there are three oxalate ligands (each with a 2p6 electron configuration), we can combine them as follows:
Fe3+: [Ar] 3d5
(C2O4)2-: 3 × [C: 1s2 2s2 2p6 2p6]
So, the final electron configuration of the complex Fe(C2O4)3 3- can be written as:
[Ar] 3d5 + 3 × (1s2 2s2 2p6 2p6)