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Related Concept Videos

Valence Bond Theory02:42

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 Theory02:45

Valence Bond Theory

Overview of Valence Bond Theory
Metal-Ligand Bonds02:51

Metal-Ligand Bonds

The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
Structural Isomerism02:34

Structural Isomerism

Isomerism in Complexes
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...
Covalent Bonds01:08

Covalent Bonds

Overview
When two atoms share electrons to complete their valence shells, they create a covalent bond. An atom's electronegativity—the force with which shared electrons are pulled towards an atom—determines how the electrons are shared. Molecules formed with covalent bonds can be either polar or nonpolar. Atoms with similar electronegativities form nonpolar covalent bonds; the electrons are shared equally. Atoms with different electronegativities share electrons unequally, creating polar bonds.
Covalent Bonds01:29

Covalent Bonds

When two atoms share electrons to complete their valence shells they create a covalent bond. An atom’s electronegativity—the force with which shared electrons are pulled towards an atom—determines how the electrons are shared. Molecules formed with covalent bonds can be either polar or nonpolar. Atoms with similar electronegativities form nonpolar covalent bonds; the electrons are shared equally. Atoms with different electronegativities share electrons unequally, creating polar bonds.A Covalent...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Preparation of SNS Cobalt(II) Pincer Model Complexes of Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase
06:31

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Published on: March 19, 2020

Cobalt-dinitrogen complexes with weakened N-N bonds.

Keying Ding1, Aaron W Pierpont, William W Brennessel

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14267, USA.

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|June 23, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Cobalt complexes can weaken the nitrogen-nitrogen bond, especially in low coordination states. This pi-backbonding effect is key to nitrogen fixation research.

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Area of Science:

  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Organometallic Chemistry
  • Nitrogen Fixation

Background:

  • Reported cobalt-nitrogen (N2) complexes exhibit limited N-N bond weakening.
  • Achieving significant N-N bond weakening is crucial for nitrogen fixation research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize novel cobalt-nitrogen complexes using diketiminate ligands.
  • To investigate the effect of low coordination number on N-N bond weakening in cobalt complexes.
  • To compare the N-N bond weakening ability of cobalt with iron.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of novel cobalt-nitrogen complexes with enforced three-coordinate geometries using diketiminate ligands.
  • Spectroscopic and structural analysis of the synthesized complexes.
  • Computational studies to understand the electronic interactions and bonding.

Main Results:

  • Several novel three-coordinate cobalt-nitrogen (CoNNCo) complexes were synthesized.
  • Formally univalent cobalt complexes showed less N-N bond weakening compared to iron.
  • Formally zerovalent cobalt complexes exhibited N-N bond weakening comparable to iron.
  • Cobalt-to-N2 pi-backbonding was identified as the mechanism for N-N bond weakening.
  • Potassium cations were found to enhance electron density donation into N2.

Conclusions:

  • Low coordination number, specifically trigonal-planar geometry, is sufficient to induce N-N bond weakening even in electronegative cobalt.
  • Cobalt can effectively weaken the N-N bond under specific low-coordination conditions, relevant for nitrogen fixation.
  • The electronic properties of the metal center and auxiliary cations significantly influence N-N bond activation.