Difference Between Double Salt and Complex Salt

The main difference between double salt and complex salt is that double salt is a mixture of two salt compounds while complex salt has a molecular structure that is the combination of one or more complex ions…

Double salt vs. complex salt

A double salt is a compound formed by mixing two different salt compounds, while a complex salt is a compound formed by a central metal atom that has coordination bonds with surrounding ligands. A double salt in water completely dissociates into its ions, while the complex salt in water does not completely dissociate into its ions. Double salt, when added to water, gives simple ions; on the other hand, the complex does not give simple ions when added to water. The double salt can be easily analyzed by determining the ions present in the aqueous solution; on the contrary, when determining the ions present in the aqueous solution, the complex salt cannot be analyzed easily. The double salt contains two simple salts in equal proportions; the other way, the complex salt from which it is formed may or may not be in equimolar proportions. The double salt exists only in the solid state because, in aqueous solution, it completely dissociates into its ions, while the complex salt exists in both the solid state and the aqueous state. The double salt loses its identity as a salt in aqueous solution, while the complex salt retains its identity even in aqueous solution. Metal ions show their normal valence in a double salt; on the other hand, the metal ion satisfies its two types of valences called primary and secondary valences in a complex salt. while the complex salt exists in both the solid state and the aqueous state. The double salt loses its identity as a salt in aqueous solution, while the complex salt retains its identity even in aqueous solution. Metal ions show their normal valence in a double salt; on the other hand, the metal ion satisfies its two types of valences called primary and secondary valences in a complex salt. while the complex salt exists in both the solid state and the aqueous state. The double salt loses its identity as a salt in aqueous solution, while the complex salt retains its identity even in aqueous solution. Metal ions show their normal valence in a double salt; on the other hand, the metal ion satisfies its two types of valences called primary and secondary valences in a complex salt.Comparison chart

What is Double Salt?

A double salt is a compound formed by the combination of two different salt compounds. Therefore, the double salt is formed from more than one cation and anion and dissolving the salt compounds in the same liquid, followed by crystallization in a regular pattern that results in the formation of the double salt. The double salt completely dissociates into its ions when dissolved in water, and this dissociation produces single ions in the aqueous solution because this solution was composed of the cations and anions that were in the two initial salt compounds. When a double salt is prepared, it must contain these two simple salts in equal proportions, otherwise a uniform and regular network cannot be obtained.

examples

Tutton’s Salt, Alums, Bromlite, Sodium Potassium Tartrate, etc.

What is complex salt?

A complex salt is a compound made up of a central metal atom that has coordination bonds with surrounding ligands. There are cations and anions present bound together, that is why this compound is also called a complex salt due to its complex structure. The complex salt in the water does not completely dissociate into its ions, but remains as a complex structure. In the chelation of metal ions, this complex formation is useful. The metal ion satisfies its two types of valences called primary and secondary valences in a complex salt. The complex salt from which it is formed may or may not be in equimolar proportions. The complex salt exists in both solid and aqueous states because it does not dissociate into its ions in aqueous solution. The complex salt retains its identity even in aqueous solution.

Key differences

1. A double salt is a compound formed by the combination of two different salt compounds, while a complex salt is a compound formed by a central metal atom that has coordination bonds with surrounding ligands.
2. A double salt in water completely dissociates into its ions, while the complex salt in water does not completely dissociate into its ions.
3. Double salt, when added to water, gives simple ions; on the other hand, the complex does not give simple ions when added to water.
4. The double salt can be easily analyzed by determining the ions present in the aqueous solution; on the contrary, when determining the ions present in the aqueous solution, the complex salt cannot be analyzed easily.
5. Double salt contains two simple salts in equal proportions; conversely, the complex salt from which it is formed may or may not be in equimolar proportions.
6. The double salt exists only in the solid state because, in aqueous solution, it completely dissociates into its ions, while the complex salt exists in both the solid state and the aqueous state.
7. The double salt loses its identity as a salt in aqueous solution, while the complex salt retains its identity even in aqueous solution.
8. Metal ions show their normal valence in a double salt; on the other hand, the metal ion satisfies its two types of valences called primary and secondary valences in a complex salt.

Final Thought

The above discussion concludes that the double salt is a mixture of two salt compounds, while the complex salt has a molecular structure that is the combination of one or more complex ions.