Colored Salts: Exploring Electron Pairing

[bsrishu]

why some salts are coloured although all the electrons are paired in it?
Ex: potassium dichromate, potassium permanganate, silver bromide/iodide.

 

[Borek]

You don't need unpaired electrons to have a colored salt.

 

[jd12345]

Its because of "charge transfer" that some salts inspite of having paired electrons have bright intense colour like KMnO4

 

[bsrishu]

can you please explain this charge transfer effect, and in which type of this will be observed?

 

[LudusRex]

The color of a salt is determined by the arrangement and energy levels of its electrons. While it is true that all the electrons in these salts are paired, the specific arrangement of these electron pairs can still result in the absorption and reflection of certain wavelengths of light, giving the salt its characteristic color.

In the case of potassium dichromate and potassium permanganate, the presence of highly d-orbitals in the potassium ion allows for the absorption of certain wavelengths of light, resulting in their intense orange and purple colors, respectively. Similarly, silver bromide and iodide have a unique crystal lattice structure that can absorb and reflect light, giving them their characteristic yellow and red colors.

It is important to note that the color of a salt can also be influenced by external factors such as impurities or changes in pH, which can affect the arrangement of electrons and alter the color of the salt.

Overall, the color of a salt is a complex phenomenon that is determined by a combination of factors, including the arrangement of electrons and the crystal structure of the salt. Further research and exploration into the properties of colored salts can provide valuable insights into the nature of electron pairing and its effects on the physical and chemical properties of substances.