HW 29 part C

[Michelle Steinberg2J]

How do you know to add -ate to the end of cobalt? What is the difference between "aquapentacyanidocobalt" and "aquapentacyanidocobaltate"?

Also, this question uses "cyanido" for (CN) whereas part (a) uses "cyano" for (CN). What is the difference?

Thanks.

[Nhan Nguyen 2F]

If the complex negative charge, -ate is added to the end of the metal's name (in this case Co).
As for Cyanido vs cyano, they're the same ligand, so I think you can use them both. Correct me if I'm wrong, but hope this helps!

[Isaac Eyler 1E]

Yes, they are the same ligand. "Cyano" is the older version of the name whereas "cyanido" is the newer version.

[Nha Dang 2I]

Does anyone know why cyanido is written before cobalt even though that's not alphabetical?

[Nhan Nguyen 2F]

Hi,
It's because cyanido is a ligand and cobalt is a metal. You'd put the ligands in ABC order, but metal you put at the end with oxidation numbers.