Applications of Coordination Compounds

Coordination compounds are found in living systems and have many uses in the home, in industry and in medicines.

Extraction of Metals

Cyanide ions are used for the for the extraction of gold and silver. The crushed ore is heated with an aq. cyanide solution in the presence of air to dissolve the gold by forming the soluble complex ion [Au(CN)₂]^–.

Complex formation is also useful for the purification of metals. Nickel is purified by converting the metal to the gaseous compound Ni(CO)₄ and then decomposing the latter to pure nickel.

Medicines

EDTA is a chelating agent which is used in the treatment of lead poisoning. Cis platin is used in the treatment of cancer. Sodium nitroprusside is used to lower blood pressure during surgery.

Qualitative Analyses

Complex formation is useful for qualitative analyses.