Mercury (ll) forms the soluble neutral complex Hg(SCN)2 with the ligand SCN- The overall formation constant b2 for binding of the ligand to Hg2+ is 2.0 x 1017.
(a) Calculate the equilibrium molar concentrations of Hg2+ and SCN- in a solution prepared by mixing 10 mL of 0.0200 M Hg2+ with 10 mL of 0.0200 M SCN-. Hint: consider the limiting reagent in the reaction to form Hg(SCN)2 ; the magnitude of the equilibrium constant tells you that the reaction goes to completion.