IChO 1987 · Theory problem 3

Potentiometric titration of a chloride-cyanide mixture with silver nitrate

25.00 \(\mathrm{cm^3}\) of a neutral solution containing potassium chloride and potassium cyanide are potentiometrically titrated with a standard 0.1000 molar silver nitrate solution at \(25\,^\circ\mathrm{C}\) using a silver electrode and a normal calomel half-cell with \(\ce{KNO3}\) - salt bridge. The protonation of cyanide ions is negligible. The potentiometric curve obtained (emf (V)) vs. burette readings (in \(\mathrm{cm^3}\)) is shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 1

Fig. 1

3.1 The end points of the reactions taking place during the titration, are marked with A, B and C. Write the balanced ionic equation for each reaction.

3.2 What volume of the titrant is required to reach point B?

3.3 Calculate the concentrations of \(\ce{KCl}\) and \(\ce{KCN}\) (in \(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\)) in the sample solution.

3.4 Calculate the emf readings at the points A and C in volts.

3.5 What is the molar ratio \(\ce{Cl-}/\ce{CN-}\) in the solution and in the precipitate at point C?

Data:

\[ E^\circ(\ce{Ag+}/\ce{Ag})=0.800\ \mathrm{V} \]

\[ E^\circ(\text{Calomel})=0.285\ \mathrm{V} \]

\[ K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{AgCN})=10^{-15.8} \]

\[ K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{AgCl})=10^{-9.75} \]

\[ \beta_2= \frac{[\ce{[Ag(CN)2]-}]}{[\ce{Ag+}][\ce{CN-}]^2} =10^{21.1} \]

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 3.1 \[ \begin{aligned} \text{A:}\quad&\ce{Ag+ + 2CN- -> [Ag(CN)2]-}\\ \text{B:}\quad&\ce{[Ag(CN)2]- + Ag+ -> 2AgCN(s)}\\ \text{C:}\quad&\ce{Ag+ + Cl- -> AgCl(s)} \end{aligned} \]

  • 3.2 \(\boxed{V_B=4.94\ \mathrm{cm^3}}\).

  • 3.3 The calculated concentrations are \[ \boxed{c(\ce{KCl})=0.02024\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}} \approx0.0202\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}} \] \[ \boxed{c(\ce{KCN})=0.01976\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}} \approx0.0198\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}}. \]

  • 3.4 \[ \boxed{E_A=0.0467\ \mathrm{V}\approx0.047\ \mathrm{V}}, \qquad \boxed{E_C=0.2287\ \mathrm{V}\approx0.229\ \mathrm{V}}. \]

  • 3.5 At C:

  • Free-ion ratio in solution: \(\boxed{[\ce{Cl-}]/[\ce{CN-}]=1.12\times10^6}\).
  • Total dissolved chloride/cyanide ratio, including complexed cyanide: \(\boxed{2.81}\).
  • Chloride/cyanide ratio in the precipitate: \(\boxed{\approx1.024\approx1.02}\).

Solution

The chemical species used below have the following names and SMILES:

Species Name SMILES
\(\ce{Ag+}\) Silver(I) ion [Ag+]
\(\ce{Cl-}\) Chloride ion [Cl-]
\(\ce{CN-}\) Cyanide ion [C-]#N
\(\ce{[Ag(CN)2]-}\) Dicyanoargentate(I) ion N#[C-]->[Ag+]<-[C-]#N
\(\ce{AgCN}\) Silver cyanide [Ag+].[C-]#N
\(\ce{AgCl}\) Silver chloride [Ag+].[Cl-]
\(\ce{KCN}\) Potassium cyanide [K+].[C-]#N
\(\ce{KCl}\) Potassium chloride [K+].[Cl-]
\(\ce{AgNO3}\) Silver nitrate [Ag+].[O-][N+](=O)[O-]
\(\ce{KNO3}\) Potassium nitrate [K+].[O-][N+](=O)[O-]

The complex’s SMILES uses arrows for coordination bonds; its two cyanide ligands bind through carbon, giving linear coordination at silver. The disconnected salt SMILES specify ionic formula units, not crystal lattices. The electrode materials are silver, [Ag], and calomel (mercury(I) chloride), [Cl-].[Hg+][Hg+].[Cl-]; these representations likewise do not describe their extended solids.

3.1 — Identification of the reactions

The large formation constant of dicyanoargentate(I) means that, while cyanide is available, added silver is strongly bound in the soluble complex:

\[ \boxed{\ce{Ag+ + 2CN- -> [Ag(CN)2]-}}. \]

In the intended stoichiometric interpretation, A marks conversion of the original cyanide into this complex. One mole of silver has then been added per two moles of original cyanide.

Further silver converts the complex into insoluble silver cyanide:

\[ \boxed{\ce{[Ag(CN)2]- + Ag+ -> 2AgCN(s)}}. \]

The equilibrium constant for this reaction is

\[ K=\frac{1}{\beta_2K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{AgCN})^2} =\frac{1}{10^{21.1}(10^{-15.8})^2} =10^{10.5}, \]

so precipitation is strongly favoured. B is its stoichiometric endpoint: all original cyanide is counted as silver cyanide.

The remaining silver precipitates chloride:

\[ \boxed{\ce{Ag+ + Cl- -> AgCl(s)}}. \]

C marks completion of this final precipitation.

3.2 — Volume at B

Let the original amount of cyanide be \(n_{\mathrm{CN},0}\), and let the titrant concentration be \(c_t\). At A,

\[ c_tV_A=\frac{n_{\mathrm{CN},0}}{2}. \]

The second reaction requires another equal amount of silver. Therefore,

\[ \boxed{V_B=2V_A=2(2.47)=4.94\ \mathrm{cm^3}}. \]

3.3 — Initial concentrations

From A,

\[ n_{\mathrm{CN},0} =2c_tV_A =2(0.1000)(2.47\times10^{-3}) =4.94\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

At C, one mole of silver has been consumed per mole of original cyanide or chloride:

\[ n_{\mathrm{CN},0}+n_{\mathrm{Cl},0} =c_tV_C =(0.1000)(10.00\times10^{-3}) =1.000\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

Consequently,

\[ n_{\mathrm{Cl},0} =1.000\times10^{-3}-4.94\times10^{-4} =5.06\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

Dividing by the original sample volume gives

\[ \boxed{ c(\ce{KCl}) =\frac{5.06\times10^{-4}}{25.00\times10^{-3}} =0.02024\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}} \approx0.0202\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}} } \]

and

\[ \boxed{ c(\ce{KCN}) =\frac{4.94\times10^{-4}}{25.00\times10^{-3}} =0.01976\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}} \approx0.0198\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}} }. \]

3.4 — Electromotive forces

At \(25\,^\circ\mathrm{C}\), using concentrations as ideal activities,

\[ E_{\mathrm{cell}} =E^\circ(\ce{Ag+}/\ce{Ag})-E_{\mathrm{calomel}} +(0.05916\ \mathrm{V}) \log_{10}\!\left( \frac{[\ce{Ag+}]}{1\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}} \right). \]

Thus,

\[ E_{\mathrm{cell}} =0.515\ \mathrm{V} +(0.05916\ \mathrm{V}) \log_{10}\!\left( \frac{[\ce{Ag+}]}{1\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}} \right). \]

At A.

In the idealised treatment of the titration curve, no precipitate is assumed at A. The complex concentration is taken as the amount of silver added divided by the total volume:

\[ D_A=[\ce{[Ag(CN)2]-}]_A \approx \frac{(0.1000)(2.47\times10^{-3})} {(25.00+2.47)\times10^{-3}} =8.9916\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}. \]

Dissociation occurs according to

\[ \ce{[Ag(CN)2]- <=> Ag+ + 2CN-}. \]

Writing \(s_A=[\ce{Ag+}]_A\), the stoichiometric balance gives

\[ [\ce{CN-}]_A=2s_A. \]

Therefore,

\[ \beta_2=\frac{D_A}{s_A(2s_A)^2} =\frac{D_A}{4s_A^3}, \]

and hence

\[ s_A= \left(\frac{8.9916\times10^{-3}}{4\times10^{21.1}}\right)^{1/3} =1.2132\times10^{-8}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}. \]

Substitution into the Nernst equation gives

\[ \boxed{ E_A=0.515+0.05916\log_{10}(1.2132\times10^{-8}) =0.0467\ \mathrm{V} }. \]

At C.

Both precipitates are present, so both solubility-product relations apply. Define

\[ s=[\ce{Ag+}],\qquad \ell=[\ce{Cl-}],\qquad c=[\ce{CN-}],\qquad d=[\ce{[Ag(CN)2]-}]. \]

Then

\[ \ell=\frac{K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{AgCl})}{s}, \qquad c=\frac{K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{AgCN})}{s}, \]

and

\[ d=\beta_2sc^2 =\frac{\beta_2K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{AgCN})^2}{s}. \]

At the overall stoichiometric endpoint, the spectator-ion charges cancel. Electroneutrality therefore requires

\[ s=\ell+c+d. \]

Notice that the complex contributes one negative charge, although it contains two cyanide ligands. Substitution gives

\[ s^2= K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{AgCl}) +K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{AgCN}) +\beta_2K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{AgCN})^2. \]

Numerically,

\[ s= \sqrt{10^{-9.75}+10^{-15.8}+10^{21.1-31.6}} =1.4472\times10^{-5}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}. \]

Thus,

\[ \boxed{ E_C=0.515+0.05916\log_{10}(1.4472\times10^{-5}) =0.2287\ \mathrm{V} }. \]

3.5 — Chloride/cyanide ratios at C

For the free ions, division of the two solubility-product equations eliminates the silver concentration:

\[ \boxed{ \frac{[\ce{Cl-}]}{[\ce{CN-}]} = \frac{K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{AgCl})} {K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{AgCN})} =10^{-9.75+15.8} =10^{6.05} =1.12\times10^6 }. \]

However, most dissolved cyanide is complexed. The concentrations calculated above give

\[ \begin{aligned} [\ce{Cl-}]&=1.2287\times10^{-5}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}},\\ [\ce{CN-}]&=1.0951\times10^{-11}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}},\\ [\ce{[Ag(CN)2]-}]&=2.1850\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}. \end{aligned} \]

If the requested solution ratio counts all dissolved cyanide, each complex must contribute two cyanide units:

\[ \begin{aligned} R_{\mathrm{dissolved}} &=\frac{[\ce{Cl-}]} {[\ce{CN-}]+2[\ce{[Ag(CN)2]-}]}\\ &=\frac{K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{AgCl})} {K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{AgCN}) +2\beta_2K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{AgCN})^2}\\ &=\boxed{2.81}. \end{aligned} \]

In the precipitate, each formula unit of silver chloride contains one chloride, and each formula unit of silver cyanide contains one cyanide. Neglecting the small dissolved fractions, as in the intended stoichiometric treatment,

\[ \boxed{ R_{\mathrm{precipitate}} \approx \frac{n_{\mathrm{Cl},0}}{n_{\mathrm{CN},0}} = \frac{5.06\times10^{-4}}{4.94\times10^{-4}} =1.0243 \approx1.02 }. \]

Subtracting the calculated dissolved amounts would give \(1.02374\), which rounds to the same result.

The solution was checked against the official solution.