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III. Consider the following reaction between aqueous mercury ions and a complexi

ID: 512442 • Letter: I

Question

III. Consider the following reaction between aqueous mercury ions and a complexing agent “RWW” also known as a chelating agent (14 points).

Hg^2+ (aq) + 2RWW (aq) = Hg(RWW)2^2+ (aq) Kf = 7.91x10^10

Suppose a typical human (about 48.0 L of water by volume) ingests 510mg of mercuric ions. Consider then a subsequent chelating treatment consisting of injection of 25.0 mL of 0.35M RWW solution. Set up a reaction table (in mmol) for the complexation and calculate the concentration and mass in the body of the uncomplexed mercury. Neglect the volume of RWW solution compared to total body volume.

Rxn Table (in mmol):

[Hg^2+] = 1.15E-7

mass Hg^2+ = 1.104 mg

These are the right answers I just need to know how to get them.

Explanation / Answer

Hg2+ (aq) + 2RWW (aq) ----> Hg(RWW)22+ (aq) Kf = 7.91x1010

Kf = [Hg(RWW)22+] / [Hg2+] [RWW]2

Concentration of mercuric ions injested

510 x 10-3 g / Molar mass of Hg is 200.5900 g/mol = 0.00254 mol

= 0.00254 mol / 48 L

= 5.2916 x 10-5 M

Concentration of RWW

25 mL x 0.35 mmol / mL = 0.00875 mol

= 0.00875 mol / 48 L

= 0.0001822 M

1 mole of Hg2+ complexes with 2 moles of RWW

So amount of RWW required to completely react with 5.2916 x 10-5 M of mercuric ion is

= 5.2916 x 10-5 x 2

= 0.00010583 M

The concentration of RWW after complete reaction is

= 0.0001822 - 0.0001058

= 7.64 x 10-5M

ICE Table                Hg2+ (aq)         + 2RWW (aq) ---->        Hg(RWW)22+ (aq)

Initial                   5.2916 x 10-5              0.0001822                             

After

completing              0                             7.64 x 10-5                              5.2916 x 10-5

Reaction

Change                    x                               2x                                                 -x

Final                         x                        7.64 x 10-5 + 2x                       5.2916 x 10-5 - x

Kf = [Hg(RWW)22+] / [Hg2+] [RWW]2

7.91x1010 = (5.2916 x 10-5 - x )/ x(7.64 x 10-5 + 2x)2

7.91x1010 = (5.2916 x 10-5 - x )/ x(5.8369 x 10-9 + 4x2)

assuming that x << 5.2916 x 10-5

7.91x1010 = (5.2916 x 10-5 )/ x(5.8369 x 10-9)

x(5.8369 x 10-9) = 5.2916 x 10-5 / 7.91x1010

x = 6.6897 x 10-16 /5.8369 x 10-9

x = 1.146 x 10-7 ~ 1.15 x 10-7 M = [Hg2+]

Mass of [Hg2+]

48 L x 1.15 x 10-7 mol / L = 5.52 x 10-6 mol

5.52 x 10-6 mol x 200.5900 g/mol = 1.107 mg

Mass of [Hg2+] = 1.107 mg