Coordination Compounds consist of a transition metal complex ion (transition metal center with ligands attached) and counter ions. The relative energies of the d orbitals in these transition metal complexes lead to some unique physical properties, including color and magnetism.
23.2 Chemistry of Coordination Complexes
In 1893 Alfred Werner proposed a theory that successfully explaining the difference in color for various transition metal complexes. This theory is still used today, but before we go into the modern day theory, lets take a look into how Werner developed his theory.
23.2 Coordination Complexes Before 1893
23.2 Modern Day Formulas for Transition Metal Complexes
At this point we really havn’t scratched the surface of why a transition metal wants to form a bond with a ligand.
23.2 Complex Formation: The Metal-Ligand Bond
When you are given a transition metal complex you will need to know how to determine its oxidation state, its coordination number, and its geometry.
23.2 Transition Metal Complexes: Oxidation States, Coordination Number, and Geometry
When a transition metal complex has a coordination number of 4 it can exist as either a tetrahedral or square planar molecule. There are a set of empirical observations that can allow you to predict whether a complex with a coordination number of 4 will exist as a tetrahedral molecule or a square planar molecule.
23.2 Stereochemistry
23.2 Determining if an ML4 complex is Td or Square Planar.
23.2 Example Problem: Determining if an ML4 complex is Td or Square Planar.