Salt metathesis reaction

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A salt metathesis reaction is a chemical process involving the exchange of bonds between two reacting chemical species which results in the creation of products with similar or identical bonding affiliations. [1] This reaction is represented by the general scheme:

Contents

Typical examples are the reactions between oxysalts and binary compounds such as salts, hydrohalic acids and metal hydroxides:

Another classical example are the reactions between oxysalts in solution:

The bond between the reacting species can be either ionic or covalent. Classically, these reactions result in the precipitation of one product.

In older literature, the term double decomposition is frequently encountered. The term double decomposition is more specifically used when at least one of the substances does not dissolve in the solvent, as the ligand or ion exchange takes place in the solid state of the reactant. For example:

AX(aq) + BY(s) → AY(aq) + BX(s).

Types of reactions

Counterion exchange

Salt metathesis is a common technique for exchanging counterions. The choice of reactants is guided by a solubility chart or lattice energy. HSAB theory can also be used to predict the products of a metathesis reaction.

Salt metathesis is often employed to obtain salts that are soluble in organic solvents. Illustrative is the conversion of sodium perrhenate to the tetrabutylammonium salt: [2]

NaReO4 + N(C4H9)4Cl → N(C4H9)4[ReO4] + NaCl

The tetrabutylammonium salt precipitates from the aqueous solution. It is soluble in dichloromethane.

Salt metathesis can be conducted in nonaqueous solution, illustrated by the conversion of ferrocenium tetrafluoroborate to a more lipophilic salt containing the tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate anion: [3]

[Fe(C5H5)2]BF4 + NaB(C6F5)4 → [Fe(C5H5)2]B(C6F5)4 + NaBF4

When the reaction is conducted in dichloromethane, the salt NaBF4 precipitates and the B(C6F5)4- salt remains in solution.

Metathesis reactions can occur between two inorganic salts when one product is insoluble in water. For example, the precipitation of silver chloride from a mixture of silver nitrate and cobalt hexammine chloride delivers the nitrate salt of the cobalt complex:

3 AgNO
3
+ [Co(NH3)6]Cl3 → 3 AgCl + [Co(NH3)6](NO3)3

The reactants need not be highly soluble for metathesis reactions to take place. For example barium thiocyanate forms when boiling a slurry of copper(I) thiocyanate and barium hydroxide in water:

Ba(OH)
2
+ 2CuCNSBa(CNS)
2
+ 2CuOH

Alkylation

Metal complexes are alkylated via salt metathesis reactions. Illustrative is the methylation of titanocene dichloride to give the Petasis reagent: [4]

(C5H5)2TiCl2 + 2 ClMgCH3 → (C5H5)2Ti(CH3)2 + 2 MgCl2

The salt product typically precipitates from the reaction solvent.

Neutralization reaction

A neutralization reaction is a type of double replacement reaction. A neutralization reaction occurs when an acid reacts with an equal amount of a base. This reaction usually produces a salt. One example, hydrochloric acid reacts with disodium iron tetracarbonyl to produce the iron dihydride:

2 HCl + Na2Fe(CO)4 → 2 NaCl + H2Fe(CO)4

Reaction between an acid and a carbonate or bicarbonate salt yields carbonic acid, which spontaneously decomposes into carbon dioxide and water. The release of carbon dioxide gas from the reaction mixture drives the reaction to completion. For example, a common, science-fair "volcano" reaction involves the reaction of acetic acid with sodium bicarbonate:

2 HCl + Na2CO3 → H2CO3 + 2 NaCl
H2CO3 → H2O + CO2

Salt-free metathesis reaction

In contrast to salt metathesis reactions, which are driven by the precipitation of solid salts, are salt-free reductions, which are driven by formation of silyl halides, Salt-free metathesis reactions proceed homogeneously. [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

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A chemical equation is the symbolic representation of a chemical reaction in the form of symbols and chemical formulas. The reactant entities are given on the left-hand side and the product entities are on the right-hand side with a plus sign between the entities in both the reactants and the products, and an arrow that points towards the products to show the direction of the reaction. The chemical formulas may be symbolic, structural, or intermixed. The coefficients next to the symbols and formulas of entities are the absolute values of the stoichiometric numbers. The first chemical equation was diagrammed by Jean Beguin in 1615.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neutralization (chemistry)</span> Chemical reaction in which an acid and a base react quantitatively

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quaternary ammonium cation</span> Polyatomic ions of the form N(–R)₄ (charge +1)

In organic chemistry, quaternary ammonium cations, also known as quats, are positively-charged polyatomic ions of the structure [NR4]+, where R is an alkyl group, an aryl group or organyl group. Unlike the ammonium ion and the primary, secondary, or tertiary ammonium cations, the quaternary ammonium cations are permanently charged, independent of the pH of their solution. Quaternary ammonium salts or quaternary ammonium compounds are salts of quaternary ammonium cations. Polyquats are a variety of engineered polymer forms which provide multiple quat molecules within a larger molecule.

In chemistry, the rate equation is an empirical differential mathematical expression for the reaction rate of a given reaction in terms of concentrations of chemical species and constant parameters only. For many reactions, the initial rate is given by a power law such as

Anions that interact weakly with cations are termed non-coordinating anions, although a more accurate term is weakly coordinating anion. Non-coordinating anions are useful in studying the reactivity of electrophilic cations. They are commonly found as counterions for cationic metal complexes with an unsaturated coordination sphere. These special anions are essential components of homogeneous alkene polymerisation catalysts, where the active catalyst is a coordinatively unsaturated, cationic transition metal complex. For example, they are employed as counterions for the 14 valence electron cations [(C5H5)2ZrR]+ (R = methyl or a growing polyethylene chain). Complexes derived from non-coordinating anions have been used to catalyze hydrogenation, hydrosilylation, oligomerization, and the living polymerization of alkenes. The popularization of non-coordinating anions has contributed to increased understanding of agostic complexes wherein hydrocarbons and hydrogen serve as ligands. Non-coordinating anions are important components of many superacids, which result from the combination of Brønsted acids and Lewis acids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hafnium tetrachloride</span> Chemical compound

Hafnium(IV) chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula HfCl4. This colourless solid is the precursor to most hafnium organometallic compounds. It has a variety of highly specialized applications, mainly in materials science and as a catalyst.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tetrafluoroborate</span> Anion

Tetrafluoroborate is the anion BF
4
. This tetrahedral species is isoelectronic with tetrafluoroberyllate (BeF2−
4
), tetrafluoromethane (CF4), and tetrafluoroammonium (NF+
4
) and is valence isoelectronic with many stable and important species including the perchlorate anion, ClO
4
, which is used in similar ways in the laboratory. It arises by the reaction of fluoride salts with the Lewis acid BF3, treatment of tetrafluoroboric acid with base, or by treatment of boric acid with hydrofluoric acid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hexafluorophosphate</span> Anion with the chemical formula PF6–

Hexafluorophosphate is an anion with chemical formula of [PF6]. It is an octahedral species that imparts no color to its salts. [PF6] is isoelectronic with sulfur hexafluoride, SF6, and the hexafluorosilicate dianion, [SiF6]2−, and hexafluoroantimonate [SbF6]. In this anion, phosphorus has a valence of 5. Being poorly nucleophilic, hexafluorophosphate is classified as a non-coordinating anion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sodium tetraphenylborate</span> Chemical compound

Sodium tetraphenylborate is the organic compound with the formula NaB(C6H5)4. It is a salt, wherein the anion consists of four phenyl rings bonded to boron. This white crystalline solid is used to prepare other tetraphenylborate salts, which are often highly soluble in organic solvents. The compound is used in inorganic and organometallic chemistry as a precipitating agent for potassium, ammonium, rubidium, and cesium ions, and some organic nitrogen compounds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate</span> Organic compound containing an –N≡N+ function

Benzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate is an organic compound with the formula [C6H5N2]BF4. It is a salt of a diazonium cation and tetrafluoroborate. It exists as a colourless solid that is soluble in polar solvents. It is the parent member of the aryldiazonium compounds, which are widely used in organic chemistry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrocenium tetrafluoroborate</span> Chemical compound

Ferrocenium tetrafluoroborate is an organometallic compound with the formula [Fe(C5H5)2]BF4. This salt is composed of the cation [Fe(C5H5)2]+ and the tetrafluoroborate anion (BF
4
). The related hexafluorophosphate is also a popular reagent with similar properties. The ferrocenium cation is often abbreviated Fc+ or Cp2Fe+. The salt is deep blue in color and paramagnetic. Ferrocenium salts are sometimes used as one-electron oxidizing agents, and the reduced product, ferrocene, is inert and readily separated from ionic products. The ferrocene–ferrocenium couple is often used as a reference in electrochemistry. The standard potential of ferrocene-ferrocenium is dependent on specific electrochemical conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lithium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate</span> Chemical compound

Lithium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate is the lithium salt of the weakly coordinating anion (B(C6F5)4). Because of its weakly coordinating abilities, lithium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate makes it commercially valuable in the salt form in the catalyst composition for olefin polymerization reactions and in electrochemistry. It is a water-soluble compound. Its anion is closely related to the non-coordinating anion known as BARF. The tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borates have the advantage of operating on a one-to-one stoichiometric basis with Group IV transition metal polyolefin catalysts, unlike methylaluminoxane (MAO) which may be used in large excess.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhodocene</span> Organometallic chemical compound

Rhodocene is a chemical compound with the formula [Rh(C5H5)2]. Each molecule contains an atom of rhodium bound between two planar aromatic systems of five carbon atoms known as cyclopentadienyl rings in a sandwich arrangement. It is an organometallic compound as it has (haptic) covalent rhodium–carbon bonds. The [Rh(C5H5)2] radical is found above 150 °C (302 °F) or when trapped by cooling to liquid nitrogen temperatures (−196 °C [−321 °F]). At room temperature, pairs of these radicals join via their cyclopentadienyl rings to form a dimer, a yellow solid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate</span> Chemical compound

Tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate is an anion with chemical formula [{3,5-(CF3)2C6H3}4B], which is commonly abbreviated as [BArF4], indicating the presence of fluorinated aryl (ArF) groups. It is sometimes referred to as Kobayashi's anion in honour of Hiroshi Kobayashi who led the team that first synthesised it. More commonly it is affectionately nicknamed "BARF." The BARF ion is also abbreviated BArF24, to distinguish it from the closely related BArF
20
, [(C6F5)4B]. However, for a small group of chemists, the anion is abbreviated as TFPB otherwise, short for Tetrakis[3,5-bis(triFluoromethyl)Phenyl]Borate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate</span> Chemical compound

Trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate is the organic compound with the formula [(CH3)3O]+[BF4]. This salt is a strong methylating agent, being a synthetic equivalent of CH+3. It is a white solid that rapidly decomposes upon exposure to atmospheric moisture, although it is robust enough to be weighed quickly without inert atmosphere protection. Triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate is a closely related compound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl dimer</span> Chemical compound

Cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl dimer is an organometallic compound with the formula [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2]2, often abbreviated to Cp2Fe2(CO)4, [CpFe(CO)2]2 or even Fp2, with the colloquial name "fip dimer". It is a dark reddish-purple crystalline solid, which is readily soluble in moderately polar organic solvents such as chloroform and pyridine, but less soluble in carbon tetrachloride and carbon disulfide. Cp2Fe2(CO)4 is insoluble in but stable toward water. Cp2Fe2(CO)4 is reasonably stable to storage under air and serves as a convenient starting material for accessing other Fp (CpFe(CO)2) derivatives (described below).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transition metal thiolate complex</span>

Transition metal thiolate complexes are metal complexes containing thiolate ligands. Thiolates are ligands that can be classified as soft Lewis bases. Therefore, thiolate ligands coordinate most strongly to metals that behave as soft Lewis acids as opposed to those that behave as hard Lewis acids. Most complexes contain other ligands in addition to thiolate, but many homoleptic complexes are known with only thiolate ligands. The amino acid cysteine has a thiol functional group, consequently many cofactors in proteins and enzymes feature cysteinate-metal cofactors.

References

  1. IUPAC , Compendium of Chemical Terminology , 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book") (1997). Online corrected version: (2006) " metathesis ". doi : 10.1351/goldbook.M03878.
  2. J. R. Dilworth, W. Hussain, A. J. Hutson, C. Tetrahalo Oxorhenate Anions" Inorganic Syntheses 1997, volume 31, pages 257–262. doi : 10.1002/9780470132623.ch42
  3. J. Le Bras, H. Jiao, W. E. Meyer, F. Hampel and J. A. Gladysz, "Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Reactions of the 17-Valence-Electron Rhenium Methyl Complex [(η5-C5Me5)Re(NO)(P(4-C6H4CH3)3)(CH3)]+B(3,5-C6H3(CF3)2)4: Experimental and Computational Bonding Comparisons with 18-Electron Methyl and Methylidene Complexes", J. Organomet. Chem. 2000 volume 616, 54-66. doi : 10.1016/S0022-328X(00)00531-3
  4. Payack, J. F.; Hughes, D. L.; Cai, D.; Cottrell, I. F.; Verhoeven, T. R. (2002). "Dimethyltitanocene". Organic Syntheses . 79: 19.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. Mashima, Kazushi (2020). "Redox-Active α-Diimine Complexes of Early Transition Metals: From Bonding to Catalysis". Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan. 93 (6): 799–820. doi:10.1246/bcsj.20200056.