Chapter 19, Problem 15E

The standard reduction potential for the reaction ${\left[\text{Co}{\left({\text{H}}_2\text{O}\right)}_6\right]}^{3+}\left(aq\right)+{\text{e}}^{-}\to {\left[\text{CO}{\left({\text{H}}_2\text{O}\right)}_6\right]}^{2+}\left(aq\right)$ is about 1.8 V. The reduction potential for the reaction ${\left[\text{Co}{\left({\text{NH}}_3\right)}_6\right]}^{3+}\left(aq\right)+{\text{e}}^{-}\to {\left[\text{Co}{\left({\text{NH}}_3\right)}_6\right]}^{2+}\left(aq\right)$ is +0.1 V. Calculate the cell potentials to show whether the complex ions,.

${\left[\text{Co}{\left({\text{H}}_2\text{O}\right)}_6\right]}^{2+}$ and or ${\left[\text{Co}{\left({\text{NH}}_3\right)}_6\right]}^{2+}$, can be oxidized to the corresponding Cobalt (III) complex by oxygen.