Compounds containing ruthenium(II) and bipyridine, \(\mathrm{C}_{10}
\mathrm{H}_{8} \mathrm{~N}_{2},\) have received considerable interest because
of their role in systems that convert solar energy to electricity. The
compound \(\left[\mathrm{Ru}\left(\mathrm{C}_{10} \mathrm{H}_{8}
\mathrm{~N}_{2}\right)_{3}\right]$$\mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) is synthesized by reacting
\(\mathrm{RuCl}_{3} \cdot 3 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(s)\) with
three molar equivalents of \(\mathrm{C}_{10} \mathrm{H}_{8}
\mathrm{~N}_{2}(s),\) along with an excess of triethylamine,
\(\mathrm{N}\left(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{5}\right)_{3}(l),\) to convert
ruthenium(III) to ruthenium(II). The density of triethylamine is \(0.73
\mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{mL},\) and typically eight molar equivalents are used in
the synthesis.
(a) Assuming that you start with \(6.5 \mathrm{~g}\) of \(\mathrm{RuCl}_{3} \cdot
3 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O},\) how many grams of \(\mathrm{C}_{10}
\mathrm{H}_{8} \mathrm{~N}_{2}\) and what volume of
\(\mathrm{N}\left(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{5}\right)_{3}\)
should be used in the reaction?
(b) Given that the yield of this reaction is 91 percent, how many grams of
\(\left[\mathrm{Ru}\left(\mathrm{C}_{10} \mathrm{H}_{8}
\mathrm{~N}_{2}\right)_{3}\right] \mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) will be obtained?