Advanced Level Inorganic Chemistry: UV-visible light absorption spectroscopy of nickel complexes

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Doc Brown's Advanced Chemistry: PART 15.5 uv and visible absorption spectra of nickel complex ions - transition metal absorption spectroscopy

[Author ©  Dr Phil Brown PhD: Doc Brown's advanced level organic chemistry exam revision notes suitable for students of UK A level chemistry courses & US K12 grade 11-12 & AP honors chemistry courses: The uv-visible absorption spectroscopy of selected complexes of nickel(II) [uv-visible spectra page updated Mar 9th 2026 *]

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The uv and visible absorption spectrum of nickel complex ions

(a) The visible light absorption spectrum of the hexaaquanickel(II) ion

uv-visible absorption spectrum of the octahedral hexaaqunickel(II) complex ion Ni2+(aq) water ligand

structure of the hexaaquanickel(II) complex ion octahedral green colourThe hexaaquanickel(II) complex ion, [Ni(H2O)6]2+(aq)  is green because of the combination of transmitted blue plus.

There are two prominent  absorption peaks at λmax of 450 nm and λmax at 700 nm

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(b) The visible light absorption spectrum of the hexaamminenickel(II) ion

uv-visible absorption spectrum of the octahedral hexaamminenickel(II) complex ion Ni2+ with ammonia ligand

structure of the hexaaquanickel(II) complex ion octahedral pale blue colourThe hexaamminenickel(II) complex ion, [Ni(NH3)6]2+(aq)  is pale blue, with strong absorption in the yellow region - complimentary colours.

There are two prominent  absorption peaks at λmax of 360 nm and λmax at 590 nm.

The first absorbance peak stretches over the near ultraviolet and violet region of the visible spectrum.

 

(c) The electronic explanation of the colour in nickel(II) complex ions

Diagram show the ligand field splitting of the Ni2+ ion from the effect of six ligands in an octahedral complex ion of nickel hexaaquanickel(II) ion hexaamminenickel(II) ion

Diagram to show the ligand field splitting of the Ni2+ ion from the effect of six water or ammonia ligands in an octahedral complex ion of nickel.

∆Eelec will differ for each ligand combination, for the same central nickel ion (Ni2+), hence each nickel complex will have a different colour.

Key words & phrases: interpreting the uv-visible absorption spectra of nickel complex ions, identifying the maximum absorption peaks in the uv-visible absorption spectra of nickel complex ions, explaining the uv-visible absorption spectra of nickel complex ions, how to use the visible absorption spectra of nickel complex ions to explain the different colours of nickel complex ions, applications of the uv-visible absorption spectra of nickel complex ions electronic diagrams to explain the 3d ligand field splitting effects of ligands to explain the colours of nickel complex ions complex ions excitation of 3d orbital electrons to produce colour in nickel complex ions complex ions interpreting the uv-visible absorption spectrum of hexaaquanickel(II) ion, identifying the maximum absorption peaks in the uv-visible absorption spectrum of hexaaquanickel(II) ion, explaining the uv-visible absorption spectrum of hexaaquanickel(II) ion, how to use the visible absorption spectra of hexaaquanickel(II) ion to explain the colour of hexaaquanickel(II) ion, applications of the uv-visible absorption spectrum of hexaaquanickel(II) ion interpreting the uv-visible absorption spectrum of hexaamminenickel(II) ion, identifying the maximum absorption peaks in the uv-visible absorption spectrum of hexaamminenickel(II) ion, explaining the uv-visible absorption spectrum of hexaamminenickel(II) ion, how to use the visible absorption spectra of hexaamminenickel(II) ion to explain the colour of hexaamminenickel(II) ion, applications of the uv-visible absorption spectrum of hexaamminenickel(II) ion

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UV and visible spectroscopy index

General introduction to electron configuration of transition metal ions and colour theory

SPECTROSCOPY INDEXES

The chemistry of nickel

Index of Advanced A level Notes on the 3d block and Transition Metals

All Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Notes

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15.5.1 The origin of colour, the wavelengths of visible light, our perception!

15.5.2 uv-visible spectroscopy theory, spectrometer, examples of absorption & reflectance spectra explained

15.5.3 uv-visible absorption spectra - index of examples: uses, applications, more on the chemistry of colour

Website content © Dr Phil Brown 2000+. All copyrights reserved on revision notes, images, quizzes, worksheets etc. Copying of Doc Brown's pre-university/college advanced level inorganic chemistry website material is NOT permitted. Exam revision summaries & references to science course specifications are unofficial. These chemistry revision notes on spectroscopy on the uv and visible absorption spectra of selected nickel complex ions are suitable for use of pre-university students studying AQA advanced level chemistry, Edexcel advanced level chemistry, OCR advanced level chemistry, IB advanced level chemistry, WJEC (Eduqas) advanced level chemistry, CIE advanced level chemistry, US grade 11-12 AP honors chemistry courses and they will also prove useful to 1st year undergraduate students of chemistry. Examples of uv and visible light absorption spectra described and explained at Doc Brown's Chemistry

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