Iupac Nomenclature
According to IUPAC rules for naming coordination compounds, what is the correct systematic name of the complex K3[Fe(CN)6]?
Select the correct option:
Solution
Potassiumhexacyanoferrate(III)
In naming a coordination compound the cation is named first, followed by the anion, and within the complex ion the ligands are named alphabetically before the central metal. Here potassium is the counter cation, and the complex anion contains iron surrounded by six cyanide ligands. Because the complex carries a net negative charge, the metal name takes the Latin-derived ending '-ate', giving 'ferrate'. The oxidation state of iron is found from the overall neutrality: three K^+ contribute +3, six CN^- contribute -6, so iron must be +3. The cyanide ligand is written as 'cyano' (the older accepted form) with prefix 'hexa', producing potassium hexacyanoferrate(III). The choice with iron(II) is wrong because the charge balance demands +3, not +2. 'Tripotassium ferricyanide' is an obsolete trivial name, not IUPAC. The 'hexacyanidoiron(III)' option fails because an anionic complex must use 'ferrate', not 'iron'. This follows the NCERT nomenclature rules directly. Plausibility check: ferricyanide is the well-known +3 species, confirming the oxidation state assignment.
π Solution Hidden from View
Submit your answer to unlock the detailed step-by-step solution.
More iupac nomenclature Practice Questions
A chemist isolates a four-carbon straight chain bearing an aldehyde group at one terminal carbon; wh...
A chemist isolates a four-carbon straight chain bearing an aldehyde group at one terminal carbon; wh...
What is the correct IUPAC name of the compound CHββCH(OH)βCHββCHβ?
What is the correct IUPAC name of the compound CHββCH(OH)βCHββCHβ?
What is the correct IUPAC name of [Cr(NH3)4Cl2]Cl?
What is the correct IUPAC name of [Cr(NH3)4Cl2]Cl?
The IUPAC name of CHβ-CH(CHβ)-CHβ-CHβ is:
The IUPAC name of CHβ-CH(CHβ)-CHβ-CHβ is:
The IUPAC name of [Pt(NHβ)βClβ] is:
The IUPAC name of [Pt(NHβ)βClβ] is:
About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- coordination compounds
- Topic
- iupac nomenclature
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
Potassiumhexacyanoferrate(III)
In naming a coordination compound the cation is named first, followed by the anion, and within the complex ion the ligands are named alphabetically before the central metal. Here potassium is the counter cation, and the complex anion contains iron surrounded by six cyanide ligands. Because the complex carries a net negative charge, the metal name takes the Latin-derived ending '-ate', giving 'ferrate'. The oxidation state of iron is found from the overall neutrality: three K^+ contribute +3, six CN^- contribute -6, so iron must be +3. The cyanide ligand is written as 'cyano' (the older accepted form) with prefix 'hexa', producing potassium hexacyanoferrate(III). The choice with iron(II) is wrong because the charge balance demands +3, not +2. 'Tripotassium ferricyanide' is an obsolete trivial name, not IUPAC. The 'hexacyanidoiron(III)' option fails because an anionic complex must use 'ferrate', not 'iron'. This follows the NCERT nomenclature rules directly. Plausibility check: ferricyanide is the well-known +3 species, confirming the oxidation state assignment.
This easy difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter coordination compounds, covering the topic of iupac nomenclature. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
Looking for more practice? Explore all chemistry questions or browse coordination compounds questions on RankGuru.