In the compound Pt(C2H3O2)2, what is the charge on the platinum?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The charge on the platinum (Pt) in the compound Pt(C₂H₃O₂)₂ is +2.
Explanation:
Pt(C₂H₃O₂)₂ is a coordination compound consisting of a platinum ion and two acetate ions. To determine the oxidation state or charge of the platinum ion, we need to understand the charges of the ions involved.
The acetate ion, represented by the formula C₂H₃O₂⁻, is a monovalent anion with a -1 charge. Since there are two acetate ions in the compound, the total negative charge contributed by the acetate is:
2 × (-1) = -2
For the compound to be electrically neutral overall, the charge on the platinum ion must balance the total negative charge of the two acetate ions. That means the platinum ion must carry a +2 charge in order for the charges to cancel out:
(+2 from Pt) + (-2 from 2 acetate ions) = 0
Therefore, the oxidation state of platinum in Pt(C₂H₃O₂)₂ is +2.
Why This Matters:
Determining the oxidation state of a central metal ion is important in understanding chemical bonding, predicting reactivity, and naming coordination compounds correctly. Platinum is a transition metal that can exist in multiple oxidation states, most commonly +2 and +4. In coordination compounds, ligands such as acetate contribute specific charges, and the central metal adjusts its oxidation state accordingly to maintain charge neutrality.
Additionally, understanding this concept helps in writing balanced chemical equations, especially in redox reactions. Transition metals often act as catalysts and undergo changes in oxidation states, so mastering how to deduce these states is key to understanding many inorganic and organometallic chemistry processes.
Thus, based on the charge of the acetate ions and the requirement for a neutral compound, the correct oxidation state of platinum in Pt(C₂H₃O₂)₂ is +2.
