Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Combining Solid-state and Solution-based Techniques: Synthesis and Reactivity of Chalcogenidoplumbates(II or IV)
Published on: December 29, 2016
Synthesis and theoretical studies on rare three-coordinate lead complexes.
Matthew Chen1, J Robin Fulton, Peter B Hitchcock
1Department of Chemistry, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QJ, UK.
New beta-diketiminate lead halide complexes were synthesized, including a rare three-coordinate lead iodide. DFT calculations revealed a stereochemically active lone pair influencing geometry and differing from germanium and tin analogues.
Area of Science:
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Main Group Chemistry
- Coordination Chemistry
Background:
- Beta-diketiminate ligands are versatile in stabilizing metal complexes.
- Lead halide complexes are of interest due to lead's unique electronic properties.
- Understanding the role of lone pairs in main group element geometry is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- Synthesize novel beta-diketiminate lead halide complexes.
- Characterize the stability and structural features of these complexes.
- Investigate the influence of the stereochemically active lone pair on geometry using DFT calculations.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of lead chloride, bromide, and iodide complexes.
- Stability studies in solid and solution states.
- Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to analyze electronic structure and geometry.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of LPbCl (2), LPbBr (3), and LPbI (4), with (4) being a rare three-coordinate lead iodide.
- Complexes 2 and 3 exhibit moderate stability, while 4 is less stable.
- DFT calculations show a pyramidal arrangement around lead due to an active lone pair, which is more diffuse than in germanium and tin analogues.
Conclusions:
- Beta-diketiminate ligands effectively stabilize lead halide complexes.
- The stereochemically active lone pair significantly influences the geometry of lead complexes.
- Lead's lone pair exhibits distinct electronic properties compared to germanium and tin.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Valence Bond Theory
Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human eye.
Coordination Compounds and Nomenclature
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Structural Isomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can be...

![The Synthesis of [Sn10(Si(SiMe3)3)4]2- Using a Metastable Sn(I) Halide Solution Synthesized via a Co-condensation Technique](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F54498.jpg&w=3840&q=50)