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Q4.21 (ii):
How would you account for the following: (ii) Cobalt(II) is stable in aqueous solution but in the presence of complexing reagents it is easily oxidised.

Solution :

1. Electronic Configuration and Oxidation States

The electronic configuration of Cobalt ($Z=27$) in the ground state is $[Ar] 3d^7 4s^2$. In the $Co^{2+}$ oxidation state, the configuration is $[Ar] 3d^7$.

  • Aqueous Stability: In an aqueous environment, $Co^{2+}$ exists as the hexaaqua complex $[Co(H_2O)_6]^{2+}$. The crystal field stabilization energy (CFSE) associated with the $d^7$ configuration in an octahedral field of weak-field ligands ($H_2O$) is relatively stable, preventing spontaneous oxidation to $Co^{3+}$ under standard conditions.
  • Oxidative Susceptibility: When strong complexing agents (such as $CN^-$, $NH_3$, or ethylenediamine) are introduced, they form high-stability complexes (e.g., $[Co(NH_3)_6]^{2+}$ or $[Co(CN)_6]^{4-}$).

2. Thermodynamic Rationale: The Effect of Ligand Field Strength

The oxidation of $Co^{2+}$ to $Co^{3+}$ is governed by the relative stability of the resulting complexes, expressed through the standard electrode potential ($E^\circ$):

$Co^{3+} + e^- \rightarrow Co^{2+} \quad (E^\circ = +1.82 \, V)$

This high positive potential indicates that $Co^{3+}$ is a powerful oxidizing agent in aqueous solution. However, the presence of strong complexing agents changes the reaction thermodynamics. [Per Nernst Equation and Gibbs Free Energy Principles ($\Delta G^\circ = -nFE^\circ$)]:

Species Configuration Stabilization Factor
$Co^{2+}$ complex $t_{2g}^5 e_g^2$ Lower CFSE
$Co^{3+}$ complex $t_{2g}^6 e_g^0$ High CFSE (Strong Field)

Strong ligands provide a significantly higher crystal field splitting energy ($\Delta_o$). For $Co^{3+}$ ($d^6$), the pairing energy is overcome, resulting in a low-spin $t_{2g}^6$ configuration, which is exceptionally stable. The massive increase in stability of the $Co^{3+}$ complex relative to the $Co^{2+}$ complex shifts the reduction potential ($E_{complex}^\circ$) to a negative value, making the oxidation process $Co^{2+} \rightarrow Co^{3+} + e^-$ energetically favorable.

3. Diagrammatic Representation of Ligand Field Splitting

Ligand Field Strength t2g (Full) eg (Empty) Δo

4. Summary of Logic

  1. The $Co^{3+}$ ion ($3d^6$) undergoes large Crystal Field Stabilization Energy (CFSE) gains when paired with strong field ligands compared to $Co^{2+}$ ($3d^7$).
  2. This gain in stability for the $Co^{3+}$ state is so large that it compensates for the second ionization energy required to move from $Co^{2+}$ to $Co^{3+}$.
  3. Consequently, the overall Gibbs free energy change ($\Delta G$) for the oxidation becomes negative, facilitating spontaneous oxidation in the presence of such ligands.

Final Solution: Cobalt(II) is stable in aqueous solution because the hydration energy and weak field of water ligands do not favor the formation of the $Co^{3+}$ state; however, in the presence of strong complexing agents, the resulting $Co^{3+}$ complexes achieve extreme stability due to high CFSE (especially in low-spin $d^6$ configurations), causing the standard reduction potential to shift and allowing easy oxidation of $Co^{2+}$ to $Co^{3+}$.


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