Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026

A Salt-Templated Synthesis Method for Porous Platinum-based Macrobeams and Macrotubes
Published on: May 18, 2020
Structure of a crystalline vapochromic platinum(II) salt
Levi J Grove1, Allen G Oliver, Jeanette A Krause
1Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 210172, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0172, USA.
Abstract:
Square-planar cations of the orange form of [Pt(Me2bzimpy)Cl](PF6) x DMF [Me2bzimpy = 2,6-bis(N-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine] stack along the b axis in a head-to-tail arrangement with short interplanar spacings (3.35 and 3.39 A). Long intermolecular Pt...Pt contacts [4.336(2) and 4.565(2) A] and comparatively short Me2bzimpy...Me2bzimpy distances are consistent with spectroscopic measurements for orange salts of Pt(Me2bzimpy)Cl+. The DMF solvent molecules line channels parallel to c, which may provide a conduit for vapor absorption. The crystals are vapochromic, changing from orange to violet upon exposure to acetonitrile vapor. The changes in spectroscopic properties accompanying vapor absorption are consistent with changes in intermolecular interactions between complexes.
Related Concept Videos
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,...
Ionic Crystal Structures
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
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...
Metallic Solids
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability. Many...
Valence Bond Theory
Imperfections in Crystal Structure: Stoichiometric Point Defects

