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NEET CHEMISTRYMedium

Copper sulphate dissolves in excess of KCN to give:

A

CuCN

B

[Cu(CN)₄]³⁻

C

[Cu(CN)₄]²⁻

D

Cu(CN)₂

Step-by-Step Solution

The reaction proceeds in two steps involving a redox change followed by complex formation:

  1. Redox Reaction: When KCNKCN is added to Copper sulphate (CuSO4CuSO_4), the Cu2+Cu^{2+} ions are first reduced to Cu+Cu^+ ions by the cyanide ions (similar to the reaction of Cu2+Cu^{2+} with II^- described in the source). The unstable Cu(CN)2Cu(CN)_2 decomposes to give a white precipitate of Copper(I) cyanide (CuCNCuCN) and cyanogen gas (CN)2(CN)_2. 2Cu2++4CN2CuCN(s)+(CN)2(g)2Cu^{2+} + 4CN^- \rightarrow 2CuCN(s) + (CN)_2(g)
  2. Complex Formation: In the presence of excess KCN, the insoluble CuCNCuCN precipitate dissolves to form a stable soluble complex, potassium tetracyanidocuprate(I). CuCN(s)+3CN(aq)[Cu(CN)4]3(aq)CuCN(s) + 3CN^-(aq) \rightarrow [Cu(CN)_4]^{3-}(aq)

This specific reaction is highlighted in NCERT Exercise 5.14, asking for the coordination entity formed under these conditions . The resulting complex ion is [Cu(CN)4]3[Cu(CN)_4]^{3-}, where Copper is in the +1 oxidation state.

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