Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I

Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I

The mathematical expression known as the wave function, ψ, contains information about each orbital and the wavelike properties of electrons in an isolated atom. When atoms are bound together in a molecule, the wave functions combine to produce new mathematical descriptions that have different shapes. This process of combining the wave functions for atomic orbitals is called hybridization and is mathematically accomplished by the linear combination of atomic orbitals. The new orbitals that...

Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals II

Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals II

sp3d and sp3d 2 Hybridization

Valence Bond Theory

Valence Bond Theory

Coordination compounds and complexes exhibit different colors, geometries, and magnetic behavior, depending on the metal atom/ion and ligands from which they are composed. In an attempt to explain the bonding and structure of coordination complexes, Linus Pauling proposed the valence bond theory, or VBT, using the concepts of hybridization and the overlapping of the atomic orbitals. According to VBT, the central metal atom or ion (Lewis acid) hybridizes to provide empty orbitals of suitable...

Valence Bond Theory

Valence Bond Theory

Overview of Valence Bond Theory

Coordination Number and Geometry

Coordination Number and Geometry

For transition metal complexes, the coordination number determines the geometry around the central metal ion. Table 1 compares coordination numbers to molecular geometry. The most common structures of the complexes in coordination compounds are octahedral, tetrahedral, and square planar.

VSEPR Theory and the Basic Shapes

VSEPR Theory and the Basic Shapes

Overview of VSEPR Theory

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Band Dispersion and Site Preference in Ternary Transition Metal Silicides, Germanides, and Stannides RTX<sub>2</sub> (R = Rare Earth Metal or Ca, Sr, Ba, T = Transition Metal, X = Si, Ge, Sn).

Inorganic chemistry·2025

Same author

Water-Processable Intercalated Graphitic Pyroproteins and Electromechanic Properties for Smart Structural Bricks.

ACS omega·2025

Same author

<i>In Silico</i> Study of a Bacteriorhodopsin/TiO<sub>2</sub> Hybrid System at the Molecular Level.

Journal of chemical theory and computation·2025

Same author

Exploring wild Thymus sp. (L.) chemotypes across Pistoia Mountains provides thyme essential oil and hydrolate inhibiting fungal growth on paper.

Fitoterapia·2025

Same author

Beyond transition block metals: exploring the reactivity of phosphine PTA and its oxide [PTA(O)] towards gallium(iii).

RSC advances·2024

Same author

A 21st Century View of Allowed and Forbidden Electrocyclic Reactions.

The Journal of organic chemistry·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Construction and Systematical Symmetric Studies of a Series of Supramolecular Clusters with Binary or Ternary Ammonium Triphenylacetates

Construction and Systematical Symmetric Studies of a Series of Supramolecular Clusters with Binary or Ternary Ammonium Triphenylacetates

Published on: February 15, 2016

"Half-bonds" in an unusual coordinated S(4) (2-) rectangle.

Anne Poduska¹, Roald Hoffmann, Andrea Ienco

¹Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, USA.

Chemistry, an Asian Journal

|November 15, 2008

Summary

A rare sulfur rectangle (S4 2-) in transition metal clusters features two "half-bonds," explained by Jahn-Teller distortion and computational studies. These findings offer insights into novel cluster structures and bonding in organometallic chemistry.

More Related Videos

From Molecules to Materials: Engineering New Ionic Liquid Crystals Through Halogen Bonding

From Molecules to Materials: Engineering New Ionic Liquid Crystals Through Halogen Bonding

Published on: March 24, 2018

Self-assembly of Complex Two-dimensional Shapes from Single-stranded DNA Tiles

Self-assembly of Complex Two-dimensional Shapes from Single-stranded DNA Tiles

Published on: May 8, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Construction and Systematical Symmetric Studies of a Series of Supramolecular Clusters with Binary or Ternary Ammonium Triphenylacetates

Construction and Systematical Symmetric Studies of a Series of Supramolecular Clusters with Binary or Ternary Ammonium Triphenylacetates

Published on: February 15, 2016

From Molecules to Materials: Engineering New Ionic Liquid Crystals Through Halogen Bonding

From Molecules to Materials: Engineering New Ionic Liquid Crystals Through Halogen Bonding

Published on: March 24, 2018

Self-assembly of Complex Two-dimensional Shapes from Single-stranded DNA Tiles

Self-assembly of Complex Two-dimensional Shapes from Single-stranded DNA Tiles

Published on: May 8, 2015

Area of Science:

Organometallic Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Computational Chemistry

Background:

Exploration of novel bonding motifs in transition metal sulfur clusters.
Synthesis of a unique S(4) (2-) rectangle coordinated to M(2)Cp(2)(mu(2)-CH(2))(2) fragments (M=Rh, Ir).

Purpose of the Study:

Analyze the bonding characteristics of the S(4) (2-) rectangle in synthesized clusters.
Investigate the relationship between 'half-bonds,' Jahn-Teller distortion, and cluster geometry.
Explore potential intermediates in the formation of M(4)S(4) (2+) clusters.

Main Methods:

Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to analyze bonding and energy barriers.
Molecular Orbital (MO) calculations to understand electronic structure and bonding.
Analysis of experimental S-S bond distances (2.70-2.90 Å).

Main Results:

Identification of two-center, three-electron 'half-bonds' within the S(4) (2-) rectangle.
Correlation of the S(4) (2-) charge with a Jahn-Teller distortion from a square to a rectangular geometry.
DFT calculations support both orientations of the S(4) rectangle relative to metal-metal bonds and identify a trapezoidal transition state for rotation.

Conclusions:

The unusual S-S contacts are best described as 'half-bonds' arising from electronic configuration and geometric distortion.
Computational models provide a framework for understanding the stability and reactivity of these novel organometallic sulfur clusters.
Proposed mechanistic pathways for the formation of M(4)S(4) (2+) clusters, with distinct routes for Rh and Ir complexes.