IChO 2008 · Theory problem 9

Thallium iodides

Thallium exists in two different oxidation states: \(\ce{Tl+}\) and \(\ce{Tl^3+}\). Iodide ions can combine with iodine to form tri-iodide ions (\(\ce{I3-}\)) in aquous solutions,

The standard redox potentials for some relevant reactions are:

\[ \begin{aligned} \ce{Tl+(aq) + e- -> Tl(s)} &\qquad E^\circ_1=-0.336\ \mathrm{V}\\ \ce{Tl^3+(aq) + 3e- -> Tl(s)} &\qquad E^\circ_2=+0.728\ \mathrm{V}\\ \ce{I2(s) + 2e- <=> 2I-(aq)} &\qquad E^\circ_3=+0.540\ \mathrm{V} \end{aligned} \]

The equilibrium constant for the reaction \(\ce{I2(s) + I-(aq) -> I3-(aq)}\): \(K_1=0.459\).

Use \(T=25\,^\circ\mathrm{C}\) throughout this problem.

9.1 Calculate the redox potentials \(E^\circ_4\) and \(E^\circ_5\) for the following reactions:

\[ \begin{aligned} \ce{Tl^3+(aq) + 2e- -> Tl+(aq)} &\qquad E^\circ_4\\ \ce{I3-(aq) + 2e- -> 3I-(aq)} &\qquad E^\circ_5 \end{aligned} \]

9.2 Write empirical formulae for all theoretically possible neutral compounds that contain one thallium ion and any number of iodide and/or tri-iodide ion(s) as anion(s).

There is an empirical formula that could belong to two different compounds. Which one? Based on the standard redox potentials, which of the two isomers mentioned above is the stable one at standard conditions? Write the chemical reaction for the isomerisation of the other isomer of thallium iodide.

Complex formation can shift this equilibrium. The cumulative complex formation constant for the reaction \(\ce{Tl^3+ + 4I- -> TlI4-}\) is \(\beta_4=10^{35.7}\)

9.3 Write the reaction that takes place when a solution of the more stable isomer of thallium iodide is treated with an excess of KI. Calculate the equilibrium constant \(K_2\) for this reaction.

If the solution of the more stable isomer is treated with a strong basic reagent precipitation of a black substance can be observed. After the water content of the precipitate is removed, the remaining material contains 89.5% thallium (by mass).

9.4 What is the empirical formula of this compound? Show your calculations. Write a balanced equation for its formation.

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 9.1 \[ \boxed{E^\circ_4=+1.260\ \mathrm{V}},\qquad \boxed{E^\circ_5=+0.550\ \mathrm{V}}. \]

  • 9.2 The possible empirical formulae are \[ \boxed{\ce{TlI},\ \ce{TlI3},\ \ce{TlI5},\ \ce{TlI7},\ \ce{TlI9}}. \] There are six ionic compositions because \(\ce{TlI3}\) can be thallium(III) iodide or thallium(I) triiodide. Thallium(I) triiodide is the stable isomer, with formal ionic SMILES [Tl+].I[I-]I. \[ \boxed{\ce{Tl^3+ + 3I- -> Tl+ + I3-}} \]

  • 9.3 Tetraiodothallate(III), \(\ce{[TlI4]-}\), SMILES [Tl-](I)(I)(I)I, forms: \[ \boxed{\ce{Tl+ + I3- + I- <=> [TlI4]-}}, \qquad \boxed{K_2\approx5.0\times10^{11}}. \]

  • 9.4 The dried precipitate is thallium(III) oxide: \[ \boxed{\ce{Tl2O3}}. \] Its formal ionic formula-unit SMILES is [Tl+3].[Tl+3].[O-2].[O-2].[O-2]. \[ \boxed{\ce{2Tl+ + 2I3- + 6OH- -> Tl2O3(s) + 6I- + 3H2O}} \]

Solution

We use \[ T=298.15\ \mathrm{K},\qquad R=8.31446\ \mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}},\qquad F=96485.3\ \mathrm{C\,mol^{-1}}. \]

The species used below include thallium(I) ion [Tl+], thallium(III) ion [Tl+3], iodide ion [I-], iodine II, and triiodide ion I[I-]I. Triiodide is linear; the SMILES does not describe its three-centre, four-electron bonding fully.

For ionic solids, dot-separated SMILES specify formal ionic formula units, not discrete molecules or crystal lattices.

9.1 — Standard reduction potentials

Potentials must be combined through Gibbs energies: \[ \Delta_rG^\circ=-nFE^\circ. \]

Adding \[ \ce{Tl^3+ + 2e- -> Tl+} \] and \[ \ce{Tl+ + e- -> Tl(s)} \] gives \[ \ce{Tl^3+ + 3e- -> Tl(s)}. \]

Consequently, \[ -3FE^\circ_2=-2FE^\circ_4-FE^\circ_1, \] so \[ E^\circ_4 =\frac{3E^\circ_2-E^\circ_1}{2} =\frac{3(0.728)-(-0.336)}{2} =\boxed{1.260\ \mathrm{V}}. \]

For the second potential, reverse the triiodide formation reaction: \[ \ce{I3-(aq) -> I2(s) + I-(aq)}, \qquad \Delta_rG^\circ=RT\ln K_1. \]

Adding this to \[ \ce{I2(s) + 2e- -> 2I-(aq)} \] gives the required half-reaction: \[ \ce{I3-(aq) + 2e- -> 3I-(aq)}. \]

Therefore, \[ -2FE^\circ_5=RT\ln K_1-2FE^\circ_3, \] and \[ \begin{aligned} E^\circ_5 &=E^\circ_3-\frac{RT}{2F}\ln K_1\\ &=0.540- \frac{(8.31446)(298.15)}{2(96485.3)}\ln(0.459)\\ &=0.550003\ \mathrm{V}. \end{aligned} \]

Thus, \[ \boxed{E^\circ_5=+0.550\ \mathrm{V}}. \]

9.2 — Possible compounds and the stable isomer

Both permitted anions, \(\ce{I-}\) and \(\ce{I3-}\), carry charge \(-1\). A neutral compound therefore needs one anion per \(\ce{Tl+}\), or three anions per \(\ce{Tl^3+}\).

If \(m\) is the number of iodide ions and \(n\) the number of triiodide ions per thallium ion, neutrality requires \[ m+n=z, \] where \(z=1\) or \(3\). The total number of iodine atoms is \(m+3n\).

This gives every permitted combination:

Empirical formula Ionic contents per formula unit Name and formal formula-unit SMILES
\(\ce{TlI}\) \(\ce{Tl+}\), \(\ce{I-}\) Thallium(I) iodide — [Tl+].[I-]
\(\ce{TlI3}\) \(\ce{Tl+}\), \(\ce{I3-}\) Thallium(I) triiodide — [Tl+].I[I-]I
\(\ce{TlI3}\) \(\ce{Tl^3+}\), \(3\,\ce{I-}\) Thallium(III) iodide — [Tl+3].[I-].[I-].[I-]
\(\ce{TlI5}\) \(\ce{Tl^3+}\), \(2\,\ce{I-}\), \(\ce{I3-}\) Thallium(III) diiodide triiodide — [Tl+3].[I-].[I-].I[I-]I
\(\ce{TlI7}\) \(\ce{Tl^3+}\), \(\ce{I-}\), \(2\,\ce{I3-}\) Thallium(III) iodide bis(triiodide) — [Tl+3].[I-].I[I-]I.I[I-]I
\(\ce{TlI9}\) \(\ce{Tl^3+}\), \(3\,\ce{I3-}\) Thallium(III) tris(triiodide) — [Tl+3].I[I-]I.I[I-]I.I[I-]I

The duplicated empirical formula is therefore \(\ce{TlI3}\).

To determine the preferred isomer, combine thallium(III) reduction with iodide oxidation: \[ \begin{aligned} \ce{Tl^3+ + 2e- &-> Tl+}\\ \ce{3I- &-> I3- + 2e-} \end{aligned} \]

The net reaction is \[ \boxed{\ce{Tl^3+ + 3I- -> Tl+ + I3-}}. \]

Its standard cell potential is \[ E^\circ_{\mathrm{cell}} =E^\circ_4-E^\circ_5 =1.260-0.550 =+0.710\ \mathrm{V}, \] and hence \[ \Delta_rG^\circ =-2FE^\circ_{\mathrm{cell}} \approx-137\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}. \]

The negative Gibbs energy establishes that thallium(I) triiodide is favored in the standard-state comparison requested. The isomerisation converts thallium(III) iodide into thallium(I) triiodide.

9.3 — Reaction with excess iodide

Potassium iodide, \(\ce{KI}\), has formula-unit SMILES [K+].[I-]; its potassium ion [K+] is a spectator.

Complex formation stabilizes thallium(III). Add the reverse of the preceding redox reaction, \[ \ce{Tl+ + I3- <=> Tl^3+ + 3I-}, \] to \[ \ce{Tl^3+ + 4I- <=> [TlI4]-}. \]

Cancelling \(\ce{Tl^3+}\) and three iodide ions gives \[ \boxed{\ce{Tl+ + I3- + I- <=> [TlI4]-}}. \]

The product is tetraiodothallate(III), [Tl-](I)(I)(I)I, with tetrahedral coordination. In this covalent SMILES representation the central atom has formal charge \(-1\); the thallium oxidation state remains \(+3\). SMILES does not specify the tetrahedral bond angles.

Let \(K_{\mathrm{iso}}\) denote the equilibrium constant for the forward isomerisation in 9.2. Then \[ \ln K_{\mathrm{iso}} =\frac{2F(E^\circ_4-E^\circ_5)}{RT}, \] or, at \(298.15\ \mathrm{K}\), \[ \log_{10}K_{\mathrm{iso}} =\frac{2(E^\circ_4-E^\circ_5)}{0.059159\ \mathrm{V}} \approx24.003. \]

Because the complex formation reaction is added to the reverse isomerisation, \[ K_2=\frac{\beta_4}{K_{\mathrm{iso}}}. \]

Thus, \[ \begin{aligned} \log_{10}K_2&=35.7-24.003=11.697,\\ \boxed{K_2}&=\boxed{4.98\times10^{11}\approx5.0\times10^{11}}. \end{aligned} \]

This dimensionless thermodynamic equilibrium constant is very large, explaining why excess iodide produces the thallium(III) complex.

9.4 — Identification and formation of the black precipitate

Precipitation in strongly basic solution followed by removal of water suggests a metal oxide. For the dried oxide, consider \(100.0\ \mathrm{g}\) of material: \[ m(\ce{Tl})=89.5\ \mathrm{g},\qquad m(\ce{O})=10.5\ \mathrm{g}. \]

Using \(M(\ce{Tl})=204.38\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\) and \(M(\ce{O})=16.00\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\), \[ n(\ce{Tl})=\frac{89.5}{204.38}=0.4379\ \mathrm{mol}, \] \[ n(\ce{O})=\frac{10.5}{16.00}=0.6563\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

Therefore, \[ n(\ce{Tl}):n(\ce{O}) =1:1.499 \approx2:3. \]

The empirical formula is \[ \boxed{\ce{Tl2O3}}, \] thallium(III) oxide. Its formal ionic representation contains thallium(III) and oxide ions, the latter having SMILES [O-2].

The calculated thallium mass fraction confirms the identification: \[ w(\ce{Tl}) =\frac{2(204.38)}{2(204.38)+3(16.00)} =0.894912 =\boxed{89.49\%}, \] which agrees with the stated \(89.5\%\).

Formation of this oxide oxidizes thallium(I) to thallium(III), while triiodide is reduced to iodide. In basic solution the balanced half-reactions are \[ \ce{2Tl+ + 6OH- -> Tl2O3(s) + 3H2O + 4e-}, \] \[ \ce{2I3- + 4e- -> 6I-}. \]

Here hydroxide ion has SMILES [OH-], and water has SMILES O. Adding the half-reactions gives \[ \boxed{\ce{2Tl+ + 2I3- + 6OH- -> Tl2O3(s) + 6I- + 3H2O}}. \]

This equation describes formation of the dry oxide; water associated with the initially hydrated precipitate is removed during drying.

The solution was checked against the official solution.