Question
Mention two applications of coordination compounds.
✓
Answer
(1) In biology: Several biologically important natural compounds are metal complexes which play an important role in number of processes occurring in plants and animals. For example, chlorophyll in plants is a complex of $Mg ^{2+}$ ions, haemoglobin in blood is a complex of iron, vitamin $B _{12}$ is a complex of cobalt.
(2) In medicine: The complexes are used on a large scale in medicine. Many medicines in the complex form are more stable, more effective and can be assimilated easily.
For example, platinum complex $\left[ Pt \left( NH _3\right)_2 Cl _2\right]$ known as cisplatin is effectively used in cancer treatment. EDTA is used to treat poisoning by heavy metals like lead.
(3) To estimate hardness of water :
(4) Electroplating: This involves deposition of a metal on the other metal. For smooth plating, it is necessary to supply continuously the metal ions in small amounts.
For this purpose, a solution of a coordination compound is used which dissociates to a very less extent. For example, for uniform and thin plating of silver and gold, the complexes $K \left[ Ag ( CN )_2\right]$ and $K \left[ Au ( CN )_2\right]$ are used.
(2) In medicine: The complexes are used on a large scale in medicine. Many medicines in the complex form are more stable, more effective and can be assimilated easily.
For example, platinum complex $\left[ Pt \left( NH _3\right)_2 Cl _2\right]$ known as cisplatin is effectively used in cancer treatment. EDTA is used to treat poisoning by heavy metals like lead.
(3) To estimate hardness of water :
- The hardness of water is due to the presence $Mg ^{2+}$ and $Ca ^{2+}$ ion in water.
- The strong field ligand EDTA forms stable complexes with $Mg ^{2+}$ and $Ca ^{2+}$. Hence these ions can be removed by adding EDTA to hard water.
(4) Electroplating: This involves deposition of a metal on the other metal. For smooth plating, it is necessary to supply continuously the metal ions in small amounts.
For this purpose, a solution of a coordination compound is used which dissociates to a very less extent. For example, for uniform and thin plating of silver and gold, the complexes $K \left[ Ag ( CN )_2\right]$ and $K \left[ Au ( CN )_2\right]$ are used.
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