Description of experiment
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Needed compounds:
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hydrochloric acid : HCl
ferric chloride : FeCl3 . 6H2O
hydroquinone : HO C6H4 OH
Class:
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elem=C
coordination
redox
Summary:
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Hydroquinone is oxidized by ferric chloride to quinone. An intermediate
dark green compound is formed before all hydroquinone is oxidized.
Description:
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Add a solution of hydroquinone to a solution of ferric chloride, which was
slightly acidified with hydrochloric acid in order to make it clear: A
dark green compound is created, which disappears quickly when it is mixed
with the neighbouring liquid. The final color of the liquid is green/brown.
The final liquid is clear and slightly darker than the initial solution
of ferric chloride.
Remark: Hydroquinone is oxidized to quinone. The dark green compound is a
coordination complex between hydroquinone and quinone.
hydroquinone quinone
OH --------- O
C C
/ \ / \
C ... C C C
| . . | || ||
| . . | || ||
C ... C C C
\ / \ /
C C
OH --------- O