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Metallic Solids

Metallic Solids

Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability. Many...

Metal-Ligand Bonds

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...

Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes

Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes

Crystal Field Theory
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...

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...

Bonding in Metals

Bonding in Metals

Metallic bonds are formed between two metal atoms. A simplified model to describe metallic bonding has been developed by Paul Drüde called the “Electron Sea Model”.

Vesicular Tubular Clusters

Vesicular Tubular Clusters

After budding out from the ER membrane, some COPII vesicles lose their coat and fuse with one another to form larger vesicles and interconnected tubules called vesicular tubular clusters or VTCs. These clusters constitute a compartment at the ER-Golgi interface known as ERGIC (Endoplasmic Reticulum Golgi Intermediate Compartment). The ERGIC is a mobile membrane-bound cargo transport system that sorts proteins secreted from ER and delivers them to the Golgi.
With the help of motor proteins such...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Methods of Ex Situ and In Situ Investigations of Structural Transformations: The Case of Crystallization of Metallic Glasses

Methods of Ex Situ and In Situ Investigations of Structural Transformations: The Case of Crystallization of Metallic Glasses

Published on: June 7, 2018

Metal clusters inside out.

¹Max-Planck-Institute of Solid State Research, Heisenbergstrasse 1, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany. a.simon@fkf.mpg.de

Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences

|February 17, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The study reveals how metal valence electron concentration (VEC) dictates cluster compound structures in solid-state chemistry. Higher VEC leads to metal-metal bonding, while lower VEC results in endohedral stabilization or ligand-free clusters.

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Area of Science:

Solid-state chemistry
Inorganic chemistry
Materials science

Background:

Cluster compounds are crucial in understanding bonding and structure in materials.
The electronic structure of metals significantly influences the properties of their compounds.
Previous studies have explored various aspects of cluster chemistry, but a unified trend based on electron concentration was less defined.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the relationship between metal valence electron concentration (VEC) and the structural characteristics of cluster compounds.
To establish a general trend governing cluster formation and stability across different metal types.
To provide insights into the design principles for novel cluster-based materials.

Main Methods:

Systematic analysis of known solid-state cluster compounds.
Correlation of structural motifs with metal valence electron concentration (VEC).
Examination of diverse metal systems, including d-metals, lanthanides, alkaline earth, and alkali metals.

Main Results:

A stepwise change in cluster features is observed as a function of VEC.
High VEC values favor strongly metal-metal-bonded and ligand-encapsulated clusters.
Lower VEC values lead to endohedral atom stabilization or ligand-free clusters.

Conclusions:

Metal valence electron concentration is a key determinant of cluster compound structure and stability.
The observed trend provides a predictive framework for understanding and synthesizing cluster compounds.
This principle applies broadly across various metallic elements in the periodic table.