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Metal Aqua Ions

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Total cards: 11•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

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#1
Front (Question)

Transition Metals Dissolving in Water What does this form? In General How do water molecules do this?

Back (Answer)

The water molecules form co-ordinate bonds with the metal ions. Metal-aqua complex ions. Six water molecules form co-ordinate bonds with each metal ion. By donating a non-bonding pair of electrons from their oxygen

#2
Front (Question)

What happens in a solution containing metal-aqua 2+ ions? What’s this called? Describe the solution formed and explain?

Back (Answer)

There’s a reaction between the metal-aqua ion and the water. Hydrolysis or acidity reaction. The metal-aqua 2+ ions release H+ ions, so an acidic solution is formed. There’s only a slight dissociation though, so the solution is only weakly acidic

#3
Front (Question)

Describe the difference between 3+ metal-aqua ions and 2+ metal-aqua ions?

Back (Answer)

Metal 3+ ions are small but have a big charge. So they’ve got a high charge density (ie charge/size ratio). The metal 2+ ions have a much lower charge density

#4
Front (Question)

What are metal-aqua 3+ ions compared to metal-aqua 2+ ions? Explain Describe the effect on the acidity of the solution?

Back (Answer)

3+ ions much more polarising than the 2+ ions. The more polarising power means that they attract electrons from the oxygen atoms of the co-ordinate water molecules more strongly, weakening the O-H bond. It’s more likely that a H+ ion will be released, and more H+ ions means a more acidic solution

#5
Front (Question)

Describe further hydrolysis of metal-aqua ions?

Back (Answer)

Forms precipitates. Adding OH- ions to solutions of metal-aqua ions produces insoluble metal hydroxides

#6
Front (Question)

Amphoteric

Back (Answer)

Metal hydroxides that can act as both acids and bases. This means they’ll dissolve in an excess of base as well as in acids

#7
Front (Question)

Give an example of an amphoteric metal hydroxide

Back (Answer)

Aluminium hydroxide

#8
Front (Question)

Describe formation of precipitates from ammonia

Back (Answer)

Use of ammonia solution to add OH- ions to a solution instead of a strong alkali. Because OH- ions are formed, adding a small amount of ammonia solution gives the same results as sodium hydroxide

#9
Front (Question)

Addition of excess ammonia to eg Cu (OH)2 (H2O)4 Explain what this forms

Back (Answer)

The H2O and OH- ligands are displaced by NH3 ligands. This forms a charged complex which is soluble in water, so the precipitate dissolves

#10
Front (Question)

Reaction of Metal Aqua Ions with Sodium Carbonate

Back (Answer)

Forms insoluble metal carbonates

#11
Front (Question)

Effect of metal 3+ ions compared to 2+ ions on reactions with sodium carbonate What is the result?

Back (Answer)

As metal 3+ ions are stronger acids, there’s a higher concentration of H3O+ ions in solution. Rather than displacing water from the metal ions, the carbonate ions react with H3O+, removing them from the solution and shifting the equilibrium of reactions to the right. So the precipitate that forms is M(OH)3 (H2O)3 instead of M2 (CO3)3