The type of bond between copper(II) tetraamine and chlorine in [Cu(NH\(_3\))\(_4\)]Cl\(_2\)

Assessment: JAMB UTME - Chemistry - 2025 Subject: Chemistry

Question 1 Report

The type of bond between copper(II) tetraamine and chlorine in [Cu(NH\(_3\))\(_4\)]Cl\(_2\)

Answer Details

The compound [Cu(NH3)4]Cl2 consists of two distinct parts:

  • The complex cation: [Cu(NH3)4]2+ (copper(II) tetraamine ion)
  • The anions: 2 Cl- (chloride ions)

The question asks about the bond between the complex cation and the chloride ions. The complex cation carries a 2+ charge, and each chloride ion carries a 1- charge. The attraction between these oppositely charged ions is an ionic bond (electrostatic attraction).

It is important to distinguish this from the bonding within the complex ion. Inside [Cu(NH3)4]2+, each NH3 molecule donates a lone pair of electrons from nitrogen to the Cu2+ ion, forming dative (coordinate) bonds. However, the question specifically asks about the bond between the complex and chlorine, which is ionic.

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