An aqueous solution of a platinum complex with the empirical formula PtCl ₄ 2 KCl does not give a white precipitate when treated with excess AgNO ₃ . Its molar conductivity corresponds to that of a 2:1 electrolyte. What is the secondary valency of platinum in this complex?

Step-by-step solution

The absence of a white precipitate upon treatment with AgNO ₃ indicates that there are no free, ionisable chloride ions in the solution. Therefore, all the chloride ions must be present inside the coordination sphere. The complex behaves as a 2:1 electrolyte, meaning it produces a total of 3 ions per formula unit. Since the empirical formula contains two potassium atoms, these must act as the two counter cations ( K ⁺ ), leaving one complex anion. The formula of the coordination complex is K ₂[ PtCl ₆] . The second