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Acids, Bases & Salts

Complex Salt

A salt containing a complex ion that retains its identity in solution rather than dissociating into simpler ions.

Formula / equation e.g. K₄[Fe(CN)₆]
Unit Dimensionless

In depth

The complex ion is held together by coordinate bonds strong enough to survive dissolution, so the metal does not give its usual simple-ion tests. This is the key experimental distinction between a complex salt and a double salt.

Examples in the real world

Potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) giving no test for Fe²⁺, unlike Mohr's salt which does.