CASE STUDY

CHM361
PREPARED BY: GROUP 4

NAME STUDENT ID GROUP

MIRZA ELYANA BINTI 2020494244 AS1205D

MOHAMMAD MAHATHIR

MUHAMMAD AIMAN BIN 2020494552 AS1205D

ZAIZILAN

MICODTHADMAZ MYERSA 2020863496 AS1205D

LOLA ANAK THOMAS

MOHAMMAD SHUKRI 2020824588 AS1205D

MOHAMMAD SUIB

PREPARED FOR:

ChM. DR. NOR WAHIDA AWANG

TOPICS

Coordination compounds play important roles in industry. The advances in coordination

chemistry provide various complex compounds used in various industries such as
electroplating, textile dyeing, photography, and polymer industries.

OBJECTIVES

1. To detect the complex compounds applied in the industry.

2. To examine the important functions that coordination compounds perform in the industry.

3. To study the properties of coordination compound applied in the industry.

4. To explore all the processes of complex compound involved in the industry.

INTRODUCTION

Coordination compounds are molecules that include one or more metal centres that are
linked to ligands (atoms, ions, or molecules that donate electrons to the metal). These
compounds might be charged or neutral. When the complex is charged, neighbouring counter-
ions stabilise it.

A complex ion has a metal ion in the centre and numerous additional molecules or ions
around it. These are thought to be coupled to the central ion via coordinate (dative covalent)
connections, although the bonding is more complex in certain circumstances. Ligands are
molecules or ions that surround the central metal ion.

Ligands are also used in the electroplating industry. When metal ions are reduced to produce
thin metal coatings, metals can clump together to form clusters and nanoparticles. When metal
coordination complexes are used, the ligands keep the metal atoms isolated from each other.
Electroplating, also known as electrochemical deposition or electrodeposition, is a method of
generating a metal coating on a solid substrate by reducing metal cations with a direct electric
current.

The complex compounds have a very important use in the industry such as electroplating,
textile dyeing, photography, and polymer industries. But to get the exact mechanism of the
reactions accomplished must be researched to comprehend the critical function of coordination
compounds in catalytic reactions throughout industrial operations.
FINDINGS

1. The name of complex compounds.

There is a complex compound that is commonly used in electroplating which is cyanide

complex. Under the cyanide complex, there are a few compounds that help in electroplating
such as potassium silver cyanide (potassium argentocyanide), K[Ag(CN)2], potassium gold
cyanide (potassium dicyanoaurate), K[Au(CN)2], and copper cyanide (cyanocopper (I))
[Cu(CN)].

2. The molecular structure of compounds.

The molecular structure of cyanide complexes:

Potassium silver cyanide Potassium gold cyanide

Copper cyanide
3. Study the properties of compounds.

One of the most significant and well-studied classes of compounds in inorganic

chemistry are cyano metal complexes, which are composed of one or more bound cyanide
ligands, CN. The cyanide ion can act as a π -acid ligand, but due to its negative charge, it
can also form potent sigma bonds. Due to its dual functionality, CN can stabilise metals in
both high and low oxidation states. There are a few compounds that will be furtherly
discuss on its uses in electroplating industry.

Firstly, potassium silver cyanide (also known as potassium argentocyanide). It exists

as a white crystalline solid. It is poisonous and has light-sensitive crystals. In addition to
being somewhat soluble in ethanol, it is soluble in water and acids. When it is heated to
decomposition, it produces extremely toxic fumes. Due to that, it is needed to be stored in
a poisoned room. It is odorless when dry, but smells faintly of ammonia when wet. The
boiling point of the compound is 25.7 °C and its density is 2.36 g/cm3.

Secondly, potassium gold cyanide (also known as potassium dicyanoaurate). It exists

as a white, crystalline powder and its density is 3.45 g/cm3. It is partially soluble in alcohol
and insoluble in ether, but soluble in water. The electroplating industry uses potassium
dicyanoaurate, a gold salt.

Lastly, copper cyanide. It exists as a green powder. It is insoluble in water and alcohol.
However, it is soluble in ammonium hydroxide, aqueous ammonia, pyridine and N-
methylpyrrolidone. The melting point of the compound is 474 °C and its density is 2.92
g/cm3. Hydrogen cyanide, which results from slight decomposition, is toxic when absorbed
through the skin, through open wounds, consumed, and inhaled. It produces harmful
nitrogen oxides during fires. It is used extensively in the electroplating industry.
4. Explore the mechanism involved in the respective industries.

There is different mechanism involved in the electroplating industry nowadays.

Coordination compounds are needed in electroplating as metals can group together to form
nanoparticles and clusters when metal ions are reduced to create thin metal coatings. The
ligands in metal coordination complexes prevent the metal atoms from interacting with one
another.

For the first compound which is potassium silver cyanide, it is used as silver
plating. The holloware and flatware industries use silver plating the most, where it serves
as a long-lasting decorative finish. Almost all silver plating is done with alkaline cyanide
solutions. When silver anodes dissolve in potassium cyanide solution, the metal is
introduced as potassium silver cyanide. Silver metal concentrations in plating solutions
typically range from 10 to 40 g/L (1.3 to 5.3 oz/gal) and up to 120 g/L (16 oz/gal) of free
potassium cyanide. When a less noble metal is immersed in cyanide silver plating solutions,
immersion silver deposits will form on the metal. This holds true even though the
components enter the solution "live" (with voltage applied from the rectifier). Any later
electroplated layer that is applied will adhere poorly due to immersion deposits.

Next, potassium gold cyanide is used in electroplating gold in which

electroplated gold coatings are widely used in electronics and aerospace industries. It is
crucial that the potassium gold cyanide used to make plating baths is extremely pure. There
are two ways to make potassium gold cyanide: chemically and electrochemically. Only
auricyanide [Au(CN)4]- is produced during the conversion of AuCl3 to potassium gold
cyanide by reaction with cyanide, and depending on the plating conditions, it is reduced to
aurocyanide [Au(CN)2]-. Therefore, both monovalent and trivalent gold will be present in
the solution in the plating bath. It is challenging to estimate the amount of time required to
deposit a specific thickness because their ratio will continue to change as the bath is kept
in a longer time. Although simple, the electrochemical method has its own disadvantages.
When the current density is relatively low in cyanide solution, gold displays passivity. As
a result, a very low current density is required for anodic dissolution to be successful.
 Lastly, the other compound is copper cyanide. Copper electroplated with
cyanide-based plating solutions has long been used as an engineering or decorative finish,
as well as an undercoat for other plated metals. These cyanide copper solutions are used
for plating on a wide range of substrates. Steels, zinc alloys, aluminium alloys, copper
alloys, magnesium alloys, nickel alloys, and lead alloys are among them. The ability of
copper from cyanide-based systems to adhere well to these alloys is an important
property. Copper cyanide, the source of copper in solution, is not soluble in water. To
dissolve it, potassium cyanide must be used to form the soluble complexes. Moreover, an
excess of alkali metal cyanide is required over the amount required to form the
complexes for sound, good quality deposits, and good anode corrosion. Copper plating
solution formulations differ depending on the application. High-speed rack plating
solutions contain 5 to 10 oz/gal copper (typically 6 oz/gal). Free cyanide is an important
component that is kept in proportion to the copper, typically at a 2:1 copper to "free"
potassium cyanide ratio. Although low free cyanide solutions improve plating efficiency
and speed, anode corrosion is reduced and deposits may be rough. Cyanide copper
plating solutions frequently contain proprietary additives. These additives enhance the
colour, produce semi-bright or fully bright deposits, reduce the effects of various
impurities, and improve anode corrosion.
 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, cyanide complexes are commonly used in the electroplating industry due to their
ability to stabilize metals in both high and low oxidation states. Potassium silver cyanide, also
known as potassium argentocyanide, is a white crystalline solid that is poisonous and has light-
sensitive crystals. It is primarily used in the holloware and flatware industries for silver plating.
Potassium gold cyanide, also known as potassium dicyanoaurate, is a white crystalline powder
that is used for electroplating gold in the electronics and aerospace industries. It is crucial that
the potassium gold cyanide used to make plating baths is extremely pure. Copper cyanide, which
is a green powder, is used in the electroplating industry but is toxic.

Coordination compounds are needed in electroplating as metals can group together to form
nanoparticles and clusters when metal ions are reduced to create thin metal coatings. The ligands
in metal coordination complexes prevent the metal atoms from interacting with one another,
which is important for adhesion and the quality of the electroplating process. It is important to
note that due to the toxicity of the compounds mentioned, proper handling and storage is
necessary to prevent harm to individuals and the environment. Despite this, the use of cyanide
complexes in electroplating has been a crucial aspect of the industry and will continue to be
important for many industries that require high-quality metal coatings.
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