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Stereoisomerism

Stereoisomerism

Isomerism in Complexes
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula.
Transition metal complexes often exist as geometric isomers, in which the same atoms are connected through the same types of bonds but with differences in their orientation in space. Coordination complexes with two different ligands in the cis and trans positions from a ligand of interest form isomers. For example, the octahedral [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ ion has two isomers (Figure 1) In the cis...

Structural Isomerism

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...

Coordination Compounds and Nomenclature

Coordination Compounds and Nomenclature

In most main group element compounds, the valence electrons of the isolated atoms combine to form chemical bonds that satisfy the octet rule. For instance, the four valence electrons of carbon overlap with electrons from four hydrogen atoms to form CH4. The one valence electron leaves sodium and adds to the seven valence electrons of chlorine to form the ionic formula unit NaCl (Figure 1a). Transition metals do not normally bond in this fashion. They primarily form coordinate covalent bonds, a...

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...

Colors and Magnetism

Colors and Magnetism

Color in Coordination Complexes
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 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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 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

Enzyme mimics based upon supramolecular coordination chemistry.

Michael J Wiester¹, Pirmin A Ulmann, Chad A Mirkin

¹Department of Chemistry and the International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208-3113, USA.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)

|October 6, 2010

Summary

Chemists create enzyme-like macromolecular complexes using coordination chemistry. These tailored structures show remarkable reactivity and specificity, sometimes surpassing natural enzyme functions.

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Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

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

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Area of Science:

Supramolecular chemistry
Coordination chemistry
Biomimetic chemistry

Background:

Enzymes possess unique properties and functions crucial for biological processes.
Supramolecular chemistry offers tools to mimic complex molecular architectures.
Coordination chemistry provides modular and efficient synthetic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

To review macromolecular complexes inspired by enzyme properties and functions.
To highlight synthetic approaches utilizing coordination chemistry.
To discuss the tailored design and emergent properties of these complexes.

Main Methods:

Utilizing convergent, modular, and high-yielding coordination-chemistry-based synthesis.
Designing macromolecular complexes with specific sizes and shapes.
Characterizing the reactivity and specificity of the synthesized complexes.

Main Results:

Successful synthesis of enzyme-inspired macromolecular complexes.
Demonstration of tailored size, shape, and properties.
Observation of reactivity and specificity comparable to natural enzymes.
Identification of complexes with functions exceeding their natural counterparts.

Conclusions:

Coordination chemistry enables the rational design of enzyme-mimicking macromolecular complexes.
These synthetic systems exhibit remarkable functional mimicry and enhancement.
This approach opens new avenues for developing artificial enzymes and functional materials.