Draw the structure of the iron oxalate complex [Fe(C2O4)3]3-. Describe the coordination geometry, and identify any chelate rings. What are the coordination number and the oxidation number of the iron?

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Identify the components of the complex: The complex is [Fe(C_2O_4)_3]^{3-}, where Fe is the central metal ion and C_2O_4^{2-} (oxalate) is the ligand.

Determine the coordination geometry: Oxalate is a bidentate ligand, meaning it can form two bonds with the central metal ion. With three oxalate ligands, the coordination number of Fe is 6, which typically results in an octahedral geometry.

Draw the structure: Arrange the three oxalate ligands around the central Fe ion in an octahedral fashion. Each oxalate ligand forms a five-membered chelate ring with the Fe ion.

Identify the chelate rings: Each oxalate ligand forms a five-membered ring with the Fe ion, resulting in three chelate rings in the complex.

Determine the oxidation number of iron: The overall charge of the complex is 3-. Each oxalate ligand has a charge of 2-, contributing a total of 6- from the ligands. To balance the charges, the oxidation state of Fe must be +3.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Coordination Complexes

Coordination complexes consist of a central metal atom or ion bonded to surrounding molecules or ions called ligands. In the case of [Fe(C2O4)3]3-, iron (Fe) is the central metal ion, and oxalate (C2O4) acts as a bidentate ligand, forming multiple bonds with the metal. Understanding the nature of these complexes is crucial for analyzing their structure and properties.

Coordination Geometry

Coordination geometry refers to the spatial arrangement of ligands around a central metal ion in a coordination complex. For [Fe(C2O4)3]3-, the geometry is octahedral, as the three bidentate oxalate ligands occupy six coordination sites around the iron ion. This geometry influences the complex's stability and reactivity.

Oxidation State and Coordination Number

The oxidation state of an element in a compound indicates the degree of oxidation, which for iron in [Fe(C2O4)3]3- is +3. The coordination number is the total number of ligand donor atoms bonded to the central metal ion, which is 6 in this case due to the three bidentate oxalate ligands. Understanding these concepts is essential for determining the properties and behavior of coordination complexes.

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