IChO 2014 · Theory problem 3

High-valent silver compounds

Silver chemistry is dominated by \(\ce{Ag}\) (I) compounds. Compounds of silver in higher oxidation state (from +2 to +5) are not very abundant due to their instability with respect to reduction. High-valent silver compounds are very reactive and can be synthesized from \(\ce{Ag}\)(I) compounds in electro-chemical oxidations or in chemical oxidations using powerful oxidizing agents.

In some peroxydisulfate (\(\ce{S2O8^2-}\)) oxidations catalyzed by \(\ce{Ag+}\), black solid (A) with the composition \(\ce{AgO}\) can be isolated.

3.1 Choose the appropriate magnetic behavior of A if it exists as \(\ce{Ag^{II}O}\).

Single crystal X - ray studies reveal that the lattice of A contains two nonequivalent \(\ce{Ag}\) atom sites (in equal proportions) of which one denoted as Ag1 and the other denoted as Ag2. Ag1 shows a linear \(\ce{O}\) atom coordination (\(\ce{O-Ag-O}\)) and Ag2 shows a square-planar \(\ce{O}\) atom coordination. All \(\ce{O}\) atoms are in equivalent environments in the structure. Thus, A should be assigned as \(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2}\) rather than \(\ce{Ag^{II}O}\).

3.2. Assign the oxidation number of Ag1 and Ag2.

3.3 What is the coordination number of \(\ce{O}\) atoms in the lattice of A?

3.4 How many \(\ce{Ag^{I}}\) and \(\ce{Ag^{III}}\) bond to one \(\ce{O}\) atom in the lattice of A?

3.5 Predict the magnetic behavior of A. Check the appropriate box below.

3.6 The compound A can also be formed on warming a solution of \(\ce{Ag+}\) with peroxydisulfate. Write down the equation for the formation of A.

Among the silver oxides which have been crystallographically characterized, the most surprising is probably that compound A is not a \(\ce{Ag^{II}O}\). Thermochemical cycles are useful to understand this fact. Some standard enthalpy changes (at 298 K) are listed:

Atom Standard enthalpy of formation (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)) 1st ionization (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)) 2nd ionization (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)) 3rd ionization (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)) 1st electron affinity (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)) 2nd electron affinity (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\))
\(\ce{Cu(g)}\) 337.4 751.7 1964.1 3560.2
\(\ce{Ag(g)}\) 284.9 737.2 2080.2 3367.2
\(\ce{O(g)}\) 249.0 −141.0 844.0
Compounds \(\Delta H_f^\circ\) (\(\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\))
\(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2(s)}\) −24.3
\(\ce{Cu^{II}O(s)}\) −157.3

The relationship between the lattice dissociation energy (\(U_{\mathrm{lat}}\)) and the lattice dissociation enthalpy (\(\Delta H_{\mathrm{lat}}\)) for monoatomic ion lattices is: \(\Delta H_{\mathrm{lat}}=U_{\mathrm{lat}}+nRT\), where \(n\) is the number of ions in the formula unit.

3.7 Calculate \(U_{\mathrm{lat}}\) at 298 K of \(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2}\) and \(\ce{Cu^{II}O}\). Assume that they are ionic compounds.

The lattice dissociation energies for a range of compounds may be estimated using this simple formula:

\[ U_{\mathrm{lat}}=C\times\left(\frac{1}{V_m}\right)^{1/3} \]

where: \(V_m\) (\(\mathrm{nm^3}\)) is the volume of the formula unit and \(C\) (\(\mathrm{kJ\,nm\,mol^{-1}}\)) is an empirical constant which has a particular value for each type of lattice with ions of specified charges.

The formula unit volumes of some oxides are calculated from crystallographic data as the ratio between the unit cell volume and the number of formula units in the unit cell and listed as below:

Oxides \(V_m\) (\(\mathrm{nm^3}\))
\(\ce{Cu^{II}O}\) 0.02030
\(\ce{Ag^{III}2O3}\) 0.06182
\(\ce{Ag^{II}Ag^{III}2O4}\) 0.08985

3.8 Calculate \(U_{\mathrm{lat}}\) for the hypothetical compound \(\ce{Ag^{II}O}\). Assume that \(\ce{Ag^{II}O}\) and \(\ce{Cu^{II}O}\) have the same type of lattice, and \(V_m(\ce{Ag^{II}O})=V_m(\ce{Ag^{II}Ag^{III}2O4})-V_m(\ce{Ag^{III}2O3})\).

3.9 By constructing an appropriate thermodynamic cycle or otherwise, estimate the enthalpy change for the solid-state transformation from \(\ce{Ag^{II}O}\) to 1 mole of \(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2}\).

Note: Use \(U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Ag^{II}O})=3180.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\) and \(U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2})=8310.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\) if you cannot calculate \(U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Ag^{II}O})\) in Part 3.8).

3.10 Indicate which compound (\(\ce{Ag^{II}O}\) or \(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2}\)) is thermodynamically more stable.

(Check the corresponding box.)

3.11 When \(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2}\) is dissolved in aqueous \(\ce{HClO4}\) solution, a paramagnetic compound (B) is first formed then slowly decomposes to form a diamagnetic compound (C). Given that B and C are the only compounds containing silver formed in these reactions, write down the equations for the formation of B and C.

Oxidation of \(\ce{Ag+}\) with powerful oxidizing agents in the presence of appropriate ligands can result in the formation of high-valent silver complexes. A complex Z is synthesized and analyzed by the following procedures:

An aqueous solution containing 0.500 g of \(\ce{AgNO3}\) and \(2\ \mathrm{cm^3}\) of pyridine (\(d=0.982\ \mathrm{g\,cm^{-3}}\)) is added to a stirred, ice-cold aqueous solution of 5.000 g of \(\ce{K2S2O8}\). The reaction mixture becomes yellow, then an orange solid (Z) is formed which has a mass of 1.719 g when dried.

Elemental analysis of Z shows the mass percentages of \(\ce{C}\), \(\ce{H}\), \(\ce{N}\) elements are 38.96 %, 3.28 %, 9.09 %, respectively.

A 0.6164 g Z is added to aqueous \(\ce{NH3}\). The suspension is boiled to form a clear solution during which stage the complex is destroyed completely. The solution is acidified with excess aqueous \(\ce{HCl}\) and the resulting suspension is filtered, washed and dried (in darkness) to obtain 0.1433 g of white solid (D). The filtrate is collected and treated with excess \(\ce{BaCl2}\) solution to obtain 0.4668 g (when dry) of white precipitate (E).

3.12 Determine the empirical formula of Z and calculate the percentage yield in the preparation.

3.13 \(\ce{Ag}\) (IV) and \(\ce{Ag}\) (V) compounds are extremely unstable and found only in few fluorides. Thus, the formation of their complexes with organic ligands in water can be discounted. To confirm the oxidation number of silver in Z, the effective magnetic moment (\(\mu_{\mathrm{eff}}\)) of Z was determined and found to be 1.78 BM. Use the spin only formula to determine the number of unpaired electrons in Z and the molecular formula of Z. (Z contains a mononuclear complex with only one species of \(\ce{Ag}\) and only one type of ligand in the ligand sphere.)

3.14 Write down all chemical equations for the preparation of Z, and its analysis.

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

Names and SMILES representations are provided in the solution.

  • 3.1: Paramagnetic, with one unpaired electron per \(\ce{Ag^{II}}\), \(4d^9\).
  • 3.2: Ag1: +1; Ag2: +3.
  • 3.3: Oxygen coordination number: 3.
  • 3.4: Each oxygen is bonded to one \(\ce{Ag^{I}}\) and two \(\ce{Ag^{III}}\).
  • 3.5: Diamagnetic.
  • 3.6: \[ \ce{2Ag+ + S2O8^2- + 2H2O -> Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2(s) + 2SO4^2- + 4H+} \]
  • 3.7: \[ \boxed{U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2})=9410.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}} \] \[ \boxed{U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Cu^{II}O})=4157.5\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}} \]
  • 3.8: \[ \boxed{U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Ag^{II}O})=3733.6\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}} \]
  • 3.9: For \(\ce{2Ag^{II}O(s) -> Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2(s)}\), \[ \boxed{\Delta H=-655.8\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}} \] per mole of product. Using the permitted fallback values gives \(-663.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\).
  • 3.10: \(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2}\) is the favored solid.
  • 3.11: B is silver(II) perchlorate, \(\ce{Ag(ClO4)2}\); C is silver(I) perchlorate, \(\ce{AgClO4}\): \[ \ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2 + 4HClO4 -> 2Ag(ClO4)2 + 2H2O} \] \[ \ce{4Ag(ClO4)2 + 2H2O -> 4AgClO4 + 4HClO4 + O2} \]
  • 3.12: Empirical formula: \(\ce{C20H20AgN4O8S2}\). Percentage yield: 94.7%.
  • 3.13: One unpaired electron; silver is +2: \[ \boxed{\ce{Z = [Ag(C5H5N)4]S2O8}} \] tetrakis(pyridine)silver(II) peroxydisulfate.
  • 3.14: The principal preparation and analysis equations are: \[ \ce{2Ag+ + 3S2O8^2- + 8C5H5N -> 2Z(s) + 2SO4^2-} \] \[ \ce{2Z + 12NH3 -> 2[Ag(NH3)2]+ + 8C5H5N + 4SO4^2- + 6NH4+ + N2} \] \[ \ce{[Ag(NH3)2]+ + 2H+ + Cl- -> AgCl(s) + 2NH4+} \] \[ \ce{Ba^2+ + SO4^2- -> BaSO4(s)} \] Excess ammonia and released pyridine are also protonated during acidification.

Solution

3.1 — Hypothetical silver(II) oxide

Neutral silver has the configuration \([\mathrm{Kr}]\,4d^{10}5s^1\). Its relevant ions therefore have configurations

\[ \ce{Ag+}:4d^{10},\qquad \ce{Ag^2+}:4d^9,\qquad \ce{Ag^3+}:4d^8. \]

A \(d^9\) ion necessarily has one unpaired electron. Hypothetical silver(II) oxide is therefore paramagnetic. Select the paramagnetic option on the answer sheet.

The spin-only moment for an isolated \(d^9\) center would be

\[ \mu_{\mathrm{so}}=\sqrt{1(1+2)}=\sqrt3=1.73\ \mathrm{BM}. \]

3.2 — Oxidation states of the two silver sites

The linear, two-coordinate site is characteristic of \(d^{10}\) silver(I), while square-planar coordination stabilizes \(d^8\) silver(III). Thus,

\[ \boxed{\mathrm{Ag1}=+1,\qquad \mathrm{Ag2}=+3.} \]

Charge balance confirms the assignment:

\[ (+1)+(+3)+2(-2)=0. \]

3.3 — Oxygen coordination number

One formula unit of \(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2}\) contains one two-coordinate silver(I) and one four-coordinate silver(III). Consequently, it contains

\[ 2+4=6 \]

silver–oxygen contacts distributed over two equivalent oxygen atoms. Hence

\[ \boxed{\operatorname{CN}(\ce{O})=\frac{6}{2}=3.} \]

3.4 — Types of silver neighbors around oxygen

The two silver(I)–oxygen contacts per formula unit give

\[ \frac{2}{2}=1 \]

silver(I) neighbor per oxygen. The four silver(III)–oxygen contacts give

\[ \frac{4}{2}=2 \]

silver(III) neighbors per oxygen.

Thus every oxygen is attached to one silver(I) and two silver(III) centers. The supplied information fixes these neighbor counts but does not specify the oxygen-centered bond angles.

3.5 — Magnetism of the actual oxide

Silver(I) is \(4d^{10}\), with all electrons paired. Square-planar silver(III) is \(4d^8\): its four lower-energy \(d\) orbitals are doubly occupied, and the highest-energy \(d_{x^2-y^2}\) orbital is empty.

Both sites are therefore diamagnetic, so A is diamagnetic. Select the diamagnetic box.

Its structural description is an extended lattice with linear \(\ce{O-Ag^{I}-O}\) units and square-planar \(\ce{Ag^{III}O4}\) coordination units, joined through the oxygen atoms.

3.6 — Formation of A with peroxydisulfate

Formation of one formula unit oxidizes one of two silver(I) ions to silver(III), releasing two electrons:

\[ \ce{2Ag+ + 2H2O -> Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2(s) + 4H+ + 2e-}. \]

Peroxydisulfate accepts these electrons:

\[ \ce{S2O8^2- + 2e- -> 2SO4^2-}. \]

Adding the half-reactions gives

\[ \boxed{\ce{2Ag+ + S2O8^2- + 2H2O -> Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2(s) + 2SO4^2- + 4H+}}. \]

3.7 — Lattice dissociation energies

Use a Born–Haber cycle:

\[ \Delta H_f^\circ(\text{solid}) = \Delta H^\circ(\text{elements}\rightarrow\text{gaseous ions}) -\Delta H_{\mathrm{lat}}. \]

The energy needed to form one gaseous oxide ion from oxygen in its standard state is

\[ \ce{\tfrac12 O2(g) -> O(g) -> O-(g) -> O^2-(g)}, \]

with total enthalpy

\[ 249.0-141.0+844.0 =952.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}. \]

Using \(R=8.314\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}\),

\[ RT=2.4776\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}} \quad\text{at }298\ \mathrm K. \]

For \(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2}\), the gaseous ions are \(\ce{Ag+}\), \(\ce{Ag^3+}\), and two \(\ce{O^2-}\). Their formation requires

\[ \begin{aligned} \Delta H^\circ_{\mathrm{ions}} &=2(284.9) +\bigl[737.2+(737.2+2080.2+3367.2)\bigr] +2(952.0)\\ &=9395.6\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}. \end{aligned} \]

Therefore,

\[ \Delta H_{\mathrm{lat}} =9395.6-(-24.3) =9419.9\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}. \]

There are four ions per formula unit, so

\[ \boxed{ U_{\mathrm{lat}} =9419.9-4RT =9410.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}. } \]

For \(\ce{Cu^{II}O}\), formation of gaseous \(\ce{Cu^2+}\) and \(\ce{O^2-}\) requires

\[ 337.4+751.7+1964.1+952.0 =4005.2\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}. \]

Thus,

\[ \Delta H_{\mathrm{lat}} =4005.2-(-157.3) =4162.5\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}. \]

There are two ions per formula unit:

\[ \boxed{ U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Cu^{II}O}) =4162.5-2RT =4157.5\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}. } \]

These are positive dissociation energies; lattice formation has the opposite sign.

3.8 — Estimated lattice energy of hypothetical silver(II) oxide

The prescribed volume difference gives

\[ V_m(\ce{Ag^{II}O}) =0.08985-0.06182 =0.02803\ \mathrm{nm^3}. \]

Because the two \(2+/2-\) oxides are assumed to have the same lattice type, they share the constant \(C\). Therefore,

\[ \frac{U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Ag^{II}O})} {U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Cu^{II}O})} = \left[ \frac{V_m(\ce{Cu^{II}O})} {V_m(\ce{Ag^{II}O})} \right]^{1/3}. \]

Substitution gives

\[ \begin{aligned} U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Ag^{II}O}) &=4157.5449 \left(\frac{0.02030}{0.02803}\right)^{1/3}\\ &=\boxed{3733.6\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}. \end{aligned} \]

The corresponding empirical constant is approximately

\[ C=1134.1\ \mathrm{kJ\,nm\,mol^{-1}}. \]

3.9 — Solid-state disproportionation enthalpy

The balanced transformation producing one mole of A is

\[ \ce{2Ag^{II}O(s) -> Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2(s)}. \]

Construct the following cycle.

First dissociate the two hypothetical oxide formula units:

\[ \ce{2Ag^{II}O(s) -> 2Ag^2+(g) + 2O^2-(g)}, \]

\[ \Delta H_1=2\left[U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Ag^{II}O})+2RT\right]. \]

Next disproportionate the gaseous silver(II) ions:

\[ \ce{2Ag^2+(g) -> Ag+(g) + Ag^3+(g)}. \]

One ion gains an electron, reversing the second ionization; the other loses an electron in the third ionization. Hence

\[ \Delta H_2=I_3-I_2 =3367.2-2080.2 =1287.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}. \]

Finally form the mixed-valence lattice:

\[ \ce{Ag+(g) + Ag^3+(g) + 2O^2-(g) -> Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2(s)}, \]

\[ \Delta H_3 =-\left[U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2})+4RT\right]. \]

The \(RT\) terms cancel:

\[ \begin{aligned} \Delta H &=2U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Ag^{II}O}) +(I_3-I_2) -U_{\mathrm{lat}}(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2})\\ &=2(3733.6009)+1287.0-9409.9897\\ &=\boxed{-655.8\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}. \end{aligned} \]

Thus, the additional stabilization of the mixed-valence lattice outweighs the energetic cost of gaseous-ion disproportionation.

If the permitted fallback values are used instead,

\[ \Delta H=2(3180.0)+1287.0-8310.0 =\boxed{-663.0\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}}. \]

3.10 — Relative stability

Select \(\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2}\).

Its formation from two formula units of hypothetical \(\ce{Ag^{II}O}\) is strongly exothermic. This is the stability conclusion intended by the thermochemical comparison. Strictly, a complete Gibbs-energy comparison would also require the entropy change; the conclusion assumes solid-state entropy effects do not reverse this large enthalpy advantage.

3.11 — Silver compounds formed in perchloric acid

Dissolution allows silver(I) and silver(III) to comproportionate to silver(II):

\[ \ce{Ag+ + Ag^3+ -> 2Ag^2+}. \]

Simultaneously, oxide ions are protonated to water. The overall ionic equation is

\[ \ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2(s) + 4H+ -> 2Ag^2+ + 2H2O}. \]

Thus B is silver(II) perchlorate, \(\ce{Ag(ClO4)2}\), containing paramagnetic \(4d^9\) silver:

\[ \boxed{\ce{Ag^{I}Ag^{III}O2 + 4HClO4 -> 2Ag(ClO4)2 + 2H2O}}. \]

Silver(II) subsequently oxidizes water and is reduced to diamagnetic \(4d^{10}\) silver(I):

\[ \ce{4Ag^2+ + 2H2O -> 4Ag+ + 4H+ + O2}. \]

Therefore C is silver(I) perchlorate, \(\ce{AgClO4}\):

\[ \boxed{\ce{4Ag(ClO4)2 + 2H2O -> 4AgClO4 + 4HClO4 + O2}}. \]

These formulas describe the aqueous salts without assigning a particular hydration number to the silver ions.

3.12 — Empirical formula and percentage yield

The white chloride precipitate D is silver(I) chloride, \(\ce{AgCl}\). Therefore,

\[ n(\ce{Ag}) =n(\ce{AgCl}) =\frac{0.1433}{143.32} =9.9986\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

The white barium precipitate E is barium sulfate, \(\ce{BaSO4}\). Complete digestion converts the sulfur to sulfate, so

\[ n(\ce{S}) =n(\ce{BaSO4}) =\frac{0.4668}{233.40} =2.0000\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

For the 0.6164 g sample, the elemental analysis gives

\[ n(\ce{C}) =\frac{0.6164(0.3896)}{12.01} =1.9996\times10^{-2}\ \mathrm{mol}, \]

\[ n(\ce{H}) =\frac{0.6164(0.0328)}{1.008} =2.0057\times10^{-2}\ \mathrm{mol}, \]

\[ n(\ce{N}) =\frac{0.6164(0.0909)}{14.01} =3.9993\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

The masses of silver and sulfur are

\[ m(\ce{Ag})=(9.9986\times10^{-4})(107.87) =0.107855\ \mathrm g, \]

\[ m(\ce{S})=(2.0000\times10^{-3})(32.07) =0.064140\ \mathrm g. \]

Assigning the remaining mass to oxygen,

\[ \begin{aligned} m(\ce{O}) &=0.6164 -0.6164(0.3896+0.0328+0.0909)\\ &\quad-0.107855-0.064140\\ &=0.128007\ \mathrm g, \end{aligned} \]

so

\[ n(\ce{O})=\frac{0.128007}{16.00} =8.0004\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

The ratios are consequently:

Element Amount in sample (mmol) Ratio to silver Assigned integer
\(\ce{C}\) 19.996 19.999 20
\(\ce{H}\) 20.057 20.060 20
\(\ce{Ag}\) 0.99986 1 1
\(\ce{N}\) 3.9993 3.9999 4
\(\ce{O}\) 8.0004 8.0015 8
\(\ce{S}\) 2.0000 2.0003 2

Thus,

\[ \boxed{\text{Empirical formula of Z: }\ce{C20H20AgN4O8S2}.} \]

Its formula mass is approximately \(616.4\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\).

The initial amount of silver is

\[ n_0(\ce{Ag}) =\frac{0.500}{169.88} =2.9433\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

As established in parts 3.13–3.14, each formula unit requires four pyridines and, overall, \(3/2\) peroxydisulfates. The available quantities are

\[ n_0(\text{pyridine}) =\frac{2(0.982)}{79.10} =0.02483\ \mathrm{mol}, \]

\[ n_0(\ce{K2S2O8}) =\frac{5.000}{270.34} =0.01850\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

These exceed the respective requirements of \(0.01177\) and \(0.004415\ \mathrm{mol}\). Silver nitrate is therefore limiting.

The theoretical product mass is

\[ m_{\mathrm{theor}} =(2.9433\times10^{-3})(616.4) =1.814\ \mathrm g. \]

Hence,

\[ \boxed{\text{Yield} =\frac{1.719}{1.814}\times100 =94.7\%.} \]

3.13 — Magnetic moment and coordination formula

The spin-only formula for \(n\) unpaired electrons is

\[ \mu_{\mathrm{eff}}=\sqrt{n(n+2)}\ \mathrm{BM}. \]

The measured moment gives

\[ n(n+2)=1.78^2=3.1684. \]

The physically appropriate integer is

\[ \boxed{n=1}, \]

for which the spin-only prediction is \(1.73\ \mathrm{BM}\), close to the observed \(1.78\ \mathrm{BM}\).

Among the relevant silver oxidation states, silver(I) is \(d^{10}\), silver(II) is \(d^9\), and silver(III) is \(d^8\). One unpaired electron identifies silver(II).

The organic portion of the empirical formula is

\[ \ce{C20H20N4}=4\,\ce{C5H5N}, \]

corresponding to four neutral pyridine ligands. The complex cation is therefore

\[ \ce{[Ag(C5H5N)4]^2+}. \]

The remaining composition is \(\ce{S2O8}\). Two sulfate ions would require a \(4+\) cation; a peroxydisulfate ion has the required \(2-\) charge. Thus,

\[ \boxed{\ce{Z = [Ag(C5H5N)4]S2O8}}. \]

The name is tetrakis(pyridine)silver(II) peroxydisulfate. A coordination SMILES representation is:

[Ag+2](<-n1ccccc1)(<-n2ccccc2)(<-n3ccccc3)<-n4ccccc4.[O-]S(=O)(=O)OOS(=O)(=O)[O-]

The four pyridines bind through their nitrogen atoms. The peroxydisulfate counterion contains an \(\ce{S-O-O-S}\) linkage. This SMILES records the coordination connections and formal charges; it does not establish metal-centered geometry. The given data do not independently determine exact bond angles.

3.14 — Preparation and analysis equations

For preparation, oxidation of two silver(I) ions supplies the two electrons consumed by one peroxydisulfate:

\[ \ce{2Ag+ -> 2Ag^2+ + 2e-}, \]

\[ \ce{S2O8^2- + 2e- -> 2SO4^2-}. \]

Coordination and salt formation are represented by

\[ \ce{Ag^2+ + 4C5H5N -> [Ag(C5H5N)4]^2+}, \]

\[ \ce{[Ag(C5H5N)4]^2+ + S2O8^2- -> [Ag(C5H5N)4]S2O8(s)}. \]

The overall preparation equation is therefore

\[ \boxed{ \ce{2Ag+ + 3S2O8^2- + 8C5H5N -> 2[Ag(C5H5N)4]S2O8(s) + 2SO4^2-}. } \]

Including the reagent counterions gives

\[ \boxed{ \ce{2AgNO3 + 3K2S2O8 + 8C5H5N -> 2[Ag(C5H5N)4]S2O8(s) + 2KNO3 + 2K2SO4}. } \]

During hot ammoniacal digestion, silver(II) is reduced to silver(I), peroxydisulfate is reduced to sulfate, and pyridine is displaced. Taking ammonia oxidation to nitrogen as the digestion pathway, each formula unit accepts three electrons: one at silver and two at peroxydisulfate.

The ammonia oxidation half-reaction is

\[ \ce{2NH3 -> N2 + 6H+ + 6e-}. \]

For two formula units, this supplies exactly the six electrons required. Additional ammonia coordinates silver(I) and accepts the released protons. The combined equation is

\[ \boxed{ \ce{2[Ag(C5H5N)4]S2O8 + 12NH3 -> 2[Ag(NH3)2]+ + 8C5H5N + 4SO4^2- + 6NH4+ + N2}. } \]

On acidification, protonation removes ammonia from the silver complex, and chloride precipitates silver(I):

\[ \boxed{\ce{[Ag(NH3)2]+ + 2H+ + Cl- -> AgCl(s) + 2NH4+}}. \]

The additional acid–base reactions are

\[ \ce{NH3 + H+ -> NH4+}, \]

\[ \ce{C5H5N + H+ -> C5H6N+}. \]

Finally, addition of barium chloride precipitates sulfate:

\[ \boxed{\ce{Ba^2+ + SO4^2- -> BaSO4(s)}}. \]

These equations explain why the analytical precipitates measure one silver atom and two sulfur atoms per formula unit of Z.

Names and SMILES for the species used

For ionic solids, the dot-separated SMILES below specify ionic formula units, not extended crystal structures. SMILES do not encode magnetic spin states. Dative arrows denote donor-to-metal coordination.

Species or name SMILES
Silver(I), silver(II), and silver(III) ions [Ag+], [Ag+2], [Ag+3]
Copper(II) ion [Cu+2]
Oxide ion [O-2]
Singly charged atomic oxygen anion, \(\ce{O-}\) [O-]
Proton, chloride ion [H+], [Cl-]
Potassium ion, barium ion [K+], [Ba+2]
A, silver(I,III) oxide [Ag+].[Ag+3].[O-2].[O-2]
Hypothetical silver(II) oxide [Ag+2].[O-2]
Copper(II) oxide [Cu+2].[O-2]
Sulfate ion [O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-]
Peroxydisulfate ion [O-]S(=O)(=O)OOS(=O)(=O)[O-]
Perchlorate ion [O-]Cl(=O)(=O)=O
Nitrate ion [O-][N+](=O)[O-]
B, silver(II) perchlorate [Ag+2].[O-]Cl(=O)(=O)=O.[O-]Cl(=O)(=O)=O
C, silver(I) perchlorate [Ag+].[O-]Cl(=O)(=O)=O
D, silver(I) chloride [Ag+].[Cl-]
E, barium sulfate [Ba+2].[O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-]
Silver nitrate [Ag+].[O-][N+](=O)[O-]
Potassium peroxydisulfate [K+].[K+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)OOS(=O)(=O)[O-]
Potassium nitrate [K+].[O-][N+](=O)[O-]
Potassium sulfate [K+].[K+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-]
Barium chloride [Ba+2].[Cl-].[Cl-]
Pyridine n1ccccc1
Pyridinium ion [nH+]1ccccc1
Ammonia, ammonium ion N, [NH4+]
Diamminesilver(I) ion N->[Ag+]<-N
Water O
Dioxygen O=O
Dinitrogen N#N
Perchloric acid OCl(=O)(=O)=O
Hydrogen chloride Cl

The diamminesilver(I) ion has linear \(\ce{N-Ag-N}\) coordination. The specified linear and square-planar geometries in A must likewise be supplied in words alongside its ionic SMILES.

The solution was checked against the official solution.