Lucky Mathekgana (27294553)

Experiment 3 CMY 385

Title: Synthesis of geometric isomers of potassium bis(iminodiacetato)cobaltate(III) and their
consequence separation
Abstract
In this experiment heat and rate at which reagents are introduced to the reaction mixture will be
exploited to produce different geometric isomers of potassium bis(iminodiacetato)cobaltate(III). The
isomers will be a cis and a trans. The cis and the trans have different polarity and hence that is a
property that can be exploited for their separation.
Results
Isomer A had a purple colour
Isomer B had a brownish colour
Table 1: Table showing complexes and masses obtained
Complex Mass (g)
Isomer A 0.63
Isomer B 0.69

Percentage yields
Isomer A
Mass obtained is 0.63 g
Mass possible (theoretical yield) = 1.7 g x (58.933/237.93) x (321.093/58.933)
= 2.294196192 g
2.294 g
% Yield = (0.63/2.294) x 100
= 27.461 %
Isomer B
Mass obtained is 0.69 g
Mass possible (theoretical yield) = 1.7 g x (58.933/237.93) x (321.093/58.933)
= 2.294196192 g
2.294 g
% Yield = (0.69/2.294) x 100
= 30.078 %
Discussion
Isomer A has great absorptivity of light around the green region of 530 nm as seen on the spectra
and hence the colour of the complex is the complimentary colour purple
Lucky Mathekgana (27294553)
Isomer B has great absorptivity around the blue-green region of 490 nm as seen on the spectra and
hence the colour of the complex is the complimentary colour brown-orange
The trans isomer is suspected to have the least polarity due to opposite identical groups cancelling
each others effect on the same axis. The cis isomer will have the greatest polarity because different
groups of different electronegativities will be on different ends of the same axis and this will result in
no cancelation of dipole pull, not the same case as observed for the trans isomer.
Conclusion
Based on the spectra the following conclusion can be made:
Isomer A is Cis and Isomer B is trans
Assignment
1.
Table 2: Table showing colour of complexes and shapes observed under microscope
Complex Colour Shape of crystals
Isomer A (cis) Purple
Isomer B (trans) Brown

2.





Lucky Mathekgana (27294553)

3. The ring is a five membered ring, in fact all of them form five membered rings and they all bear
the same angle or ring strain. None has a greater burden than the other
Yes. There are two sets of optical isomers. Here they are







4. The cis Isomer (isomer A) will have the greatest dipole moment. Isomer B eluated first as the
information is given therefore ismorer B must have the least dipole moment and hence be the least
polar; for the identical groups on opposite sides will cancel each others pull out, and result in a zero
or close to zero dipole magnitude along the axis concerned
Structures of most polar (largest dipole) Structure of least polar (smallest dipole)




Lucky Mathekgana (27294553)

5. The trans isomer that was obtained mostly is trans (facial). The literature further attest to this
probability.
6.
As calculated earlier the percentage yields are as follows Isomer A has a yield of 27.461 whilst
Isomer B has 30.078
Isomer Bs yield is fractionally higher than that of Isomer A. Isomer A requires a greater deal of
temperature control than Isomer B; to essay it is much easier to have yje reaction run at a higher
temperature of 85
0
C than to continuously have run at a temperature of about 12
0
C. Having that
said possible reasons to the low yield of Isomer A and Isomer B to some extent may also be due to
the fluctuations in temperature to the relevant experiments

7. Table 3: Table showing observed peaks of Isomer A and Isomer B
Complex Peak A (nm) Peak B (nm)
Isomer A (cis) 557.00 (490-560) 377.14
Isomer B (trans) 496.63 364.39


Isomer B has two distinct (non-overlapping and clear) peaks whilst Isomer A has two peaks but one is
overlapping around the region of 490 560 nm. The overlapping is due to the very hard to avoid
formation of Isomer B, which in this case for the spectra of Isomer A, Isomer B can be seen as a
contaminant. Even with the overlap Isomer As peak of 557.00 nm is still evident; and that can serve
as an indication of the appreciable abundance of the intended product Isomer A.
Further evidence to suggest contamination will be the dull brown colour of the Isomer A, which one
may view to have some purple colour to it.