Govt.

Postgraduate Islamia

College Faisalabad.

Topic Applications of
Coordination
Compounds

Course title Inorganic

Chemistry-II

Course code CHM-501

Submitted by Submitted to

Rashid Hussain Sir Aqib Amjad

Roll no. 303 Lecturer

BS Chemistry 5th

Remarks:________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________
 Applications of Coordination Compounds 1

Contents
(Hyperlinks to find quickly)
Applications of coordination compounds in in chemistry
Qualitative analysis
Quantitative analysis
Detection of ions
Chelating ligands
Complexometric titrations and masking agents
Colour test
Applications of coordination compounds in industry
Metal extraction
Purification of metal
DYES and Pigments
Coordination compounds in detergents
Photography
Electroplating
Applications of coordination compounds in living systems (Life)
Chlorophyll and pigment
Haemoglobin and enzymes
Coordination compounds in chelation therapy
EDTA
Cis-platin
Lead poisoning treatment
 Applications of Coordination Compounds 2

Coordination compounds play a vital role in chemistry, our daily life and in industry. Today we will discuss some of the
applications of coordination compounds. So lets get started:

Applications of coordination compounds in in chemistry

Coordination compounds are used in analytical chemistry for quantitative as well as qualitative analysis of different
chemicals.
(1) Qualitative analysis
Qualitative methods of analysis are used to identify and separate many inorganic compounds. For example the complex
formation of immense is used to identify and separate the inorganic ions. E.g.
Detection of cupric ions in the salt:
Following reaction is used to detect the presence of cupric ions in the salt

CuSO4 (solution) + NH3 deep blue complex

When copper sulphate is mixed with aqueous ammonia, a deep blue colour is produced which shows the presence of
cupric ions in the salt.
(2) Quantitative analysis
Complexes formed during the quantitative analysis method are used for the detection of ions. For example during
quantitative analysis the formation of scarlet red complex with dimethyl glyoxime is used to detect and assessment of
Ni+2 ions.
(3) Detection of ions
Ca+2 and Mg+2 ions are stable complexes with EDTA. We can use EDTA for the estimation of Ca+2 and Mg+2 ions in hard
water. Hardness of water can be determined by titration method using the sodium salt of EDTA. During titration Calcium
EDTA and Magnesium EDTA complexes are formed. These complex ions can be estimated on the basis of their stability
constants.

Figure 1: Calcium complex ion (taken from: Figure 2: Mg complex ion (taken from:
https://www.nextgurukul.in/wiki/concept/cbse/ https://www.nextgurukul.in/wiki/concept/cbse/cl
class-12/chemistry/coordination- ass-12/chemistry/coordination-
compounds/importance-and- compounds/importance-and-
applications/3961754#/) applications/3961754#/)
 Applications of Coordination Compounds 3

(4) Chelating ligands

Chelating ligands are often used to form insoluble complexes e.g. Ni(DMG) (Nickeldimethylglyoxime) and Al(oxine)3
(tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminium)

(5) Complexometric titrations and masking agents

EDTA is used in the volumetric determination of a wide variety of metal ions in solutions, e.g. Zn +2, Pb+2, Ca+2, Co+2, Ni+2,
Cu+2, etc. mixtures of metals can be analysed by the careful adjustment of pH and using suitable indicators. E.g. Bi+3 in
the presence of Pb+2. EDTA can also be used as masking agent in order to remove a metal ion.

(6) Colour test

Mostly complexes are coloured compounds. It means they can be used as colorimetric reagents. For example
formation of red 2, 2-bipyridyl and 1, 10-phenanthroline complexes as a test for Fe+2. Cu+2 can be identified as it
makes blue complex with NH3.
CuC l+ 4NH [Cu(NH3)4]Cl
Blue complex

Fe+3 can be identified as it makes red complex with KSCN.

FeCl3 + KSCN K3[Fe(SCN)6]
Red complex

Applications of coordination compounds in industry

(1) Metal extraction
Metals are extracted from their ores through a
process called solvent extraction. Such as silver and
gold can be extracted from their ores by the
formation of cyanide complexes. In this method the
ore is mixed with cyanide solution under oxidizing
conditions. It results in the production of linear
complexes which can be separated and reduced with
metal like zinc to give a precious metals.
Copper is extracted at large scale by
solvent extraction process. Copper is extracted from
a mixture of metals using a reagent like 5-nonyl-2-
hydroxybenzaldoxime. It was introduced by ICI.
When the reagent solution LH is added to Cu+2 it forms
a complex CuL2. It is a neutral compound and is
soluble in organic solvent.

Figure 3:Copper extraction (taken from:

http://www.mjmorris.staff.shef.ac.uk/teaching/CHM1002/lect8c.html )
 Applications of Coordination Compounds 4

(2) Purification of metal

The subsequent decomposition of coordination compounds gives purified metals. For example when nickel is treated with
CO it gives tetracarbonyl Nickel (0), which can be decomposed thermally to get pure nickel. Similarly, Bauxite is purified
by forming complex with NaOH.

(3) DYES and Pigments

Coordination compounds have been used from the earliest times as dyes and pigments, for example madder dye. Its
colour is red. It is a complex of hydroxyanthraquinone. A blue pigment Copper phthalocyanine is the more modern
example of pigments.
Co[(H2O)6]Cl2 can be used as invisible ink. CoCl2.6H2O is invisible solution. But on slightly heating it produces Co[CoCl4]
which gives blue colour.
2Co[(H2O)6]Cl2 Co[CoCl4] + 12H2O

Invisible when written Blue on heating

(4) Coordination compounds in detergents

We know that due to the presence of Ca+2 and Mg+2 ions in water makes it hard water. Removing these ions from hard
water is a matter of great importance for industries. It can be done by complexation. The reagents which are used for
this purpose are called sequestrating agents and the process is known as sequestration. The most commonly used
sequestrating agent is polyphosphates. Polyphosphates make much stronger complex with Ca+2 and Mg+2 ions. In this
way hard water is purified. But the much more use of polyphosphates may lead to some serious problems such as
eutrophication and uncontrolled growth of algae. Therefore, this reagent has been replaced with tetra sodium salt of
EDTA nitrilotriacetate. It is abbreviated to NTA.

Figure4: Phosphate and nta

( Taken from:http://www.mjmorris.staff.shef.ac.uk/teaching/CHM1002/lect8d.html)

(5) Photography
In black & white photography, when AgBr forms a complex hypo solutions, a complex [Ag(S2O)2]3 is formed. In this way,
a developed film in black and white photography can be fixed.

(6) Electroplating
Coordination compounds are also used in electroplating e.g. K[Ag(CN)2] is used for electroplating of silver, and
K[Au(CN)2] is used for gold plating.
 Applications of Coordination Compounds 5

Applications of coordination
compounds in living systems
(Life)
Metals are present in biologicals system in
a wide range. For example iron in
haemoglobin, calcium in bones, sodium and
potassium in nerve cells.

(1). Chlorophyll and Pigment

Coordination compounds are of great Figure 4: Chlorophyll

importance in living systems such Taken from: https://www.nextgurukul.in/wiki/concept/cbse/class-

chlorophyll and pigment which is 12/chemistry/coordination-compounds/importance-and-applications/3961754#/

involved in photosynthesis is a
coordination compound of magnesium.

(2). Haemoglobin and enzymes

It is a red pigment. I is present in blood cells. It carries
oxygen. It is very important coordination compound of iron.
There are many enzymes which are metal complexes. They
regulate biological processes in our body. For example an
enzyme called carboxypeptidase. It is a hydrolytic enzyme
which is involved in digestion process. This enzyme consists
of zinc ion which surrounded by many amino acids
molecules. Another enzyme called catalase. It canalizes the
waste H2O2 of cells.

(3). Coordination compounds in chelation

therapy
The removal of unwanted and toxic metal ions like lead, Figure 5: Haemoglobin (Taken from:
Cadmium, Hg can be removed from the human body is called https://www.nextgurukul.in/wiki/concept/cbse/class-
12/chemistry/coordination-compounds/importance-and-
chelation therapy. During First World War one of the applications/3961754#/)
poisonous gases-chlorovinyldichloroarsine was used. It
is also called Lewisite. This gas reacts with SH group of
different essential enzymes. This gas does a lot of damage to the body cells. So an effective treatment was needed. It
must be a compound that could react with arsenic more effectively as compared to enzyme. So a British Anti-Lewisite
(BAL) was developed for this purpose. Chemically it is known as 2, 3-dimercaptopropanol.

BAL can also be used to remove the metal ions of Hg and lead but not for Cd, because it forms a soluble complex
with Cd which can disperse in the whole body.
We should choose our reagent very carefully. Because we want to remove only unwanted metal from the body. But the
other precious metals which are already present in the body like iron that is present in the haemoglobin and the calcium
that is present in the bones, can also be removed. So be very careful while choosing the reagent. For example in the
treatment of lead poisoning dicalcium salt of EDTA can be used but it also removed the zinc metal from the body. On
 Applications of Coordination Compounds 6

other hand disodium calcium salt of EDTA remove only the lead metals ions from the body. Hence, it is very useful in
lead poisoning treatment.
Similarly, D-penicillamine (a product of penicillin) can be used for the treatment of poisoning of metals, including
Wilson's disease (build-up of copper in the body). desferrioxamine B is used to remove unwanted iron by the chelation
therapy process. desferrioxamine B occurs naturally. Bacteria use it for uptaking of iron.

Figure 6: BAL (taken from:

http://www.mjmorris.staff.shef.ac.uk/teaching/CHM1002/lect8e.html )

Figure 7: D-penicillamine and desferrioxamine (taken from:

http://www.mjmorris.staff.shef.ac.uk/teaching/CHM1002/lect8e.html )

(4). EDTA
EDTA is used to remove Pb+2 by forming Pb-EDTA Complex. It is
eliminated in urine. It is found very useful in lead ion treatment.

(5). Cis-platin
Cis-platin can be used as anti-tumour agent for the purpose of
cancer treatment. It is found very useful in cancer treatment.
Figure 8: Cis-platin:
 Applications of Coordination Compounds 7

(6). Treatment of lead poisoning

EDTA is used for the treatment of lead poisoning.
Metals are present as free metal ions but not as
complex in biological systems. The ligans may be more
complicated but the donar atom are ussually Oxygen,
Nitrogen, Sulphur, and sometimes Carbon. In biological
systems, when a metal is attached to a ligand, it is known as
Macrocycles. These cyclic compounds contain many donor
atoms for example porphyrin ring and corrin ring.

Figure 9: Lead EDTA Complex (taken from:

https://www.nextgurukul.in/wiki/concept/cbse/class-
12/chemistry/coordination-compounds/importance-and-
applications/3961754#/)

Figure 10: Prophyrin and corrinn (taken from:

http://www.mjmorris.staff.shef.ac.uk/teaching/CHM1002/lect8f.html 1/)
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