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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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

Cooperative Allosteric Transitions

Cooperative Allosteric Transitions

Cooperative allosteric transitions can occur in multimeric proteins, where each subunit of the protein has its own ligand-binding site. When a ligand binds to any of these subunits, it triggers a conformational change that affects the binding sites in the other subunits; this can change the affinity of the other sites for their respective ligands. The ability of the protein to change the shape of its binding site is attributed to the presence of a mix of flexible and stable segments in the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Qualitative Identification of Carboxylic Acids, Boronic Acids, and Amines Using Cruciform Fluorophores

Qualitative Identification of Carboxylic Acids, Boronic Acids, and Amines Using Cruciform Fluorophores

Published on: August 19, 2013

Novel cruciform structures as model compounds for coordination induced single molecule switches.

Sergio Grunder¹, Roman Huber, Songmei Wu

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, St. Johanns-Ring 19, CH-4056 Basel.

|December 15, 2010

Summary

Researchers created molecular cruciforms for a novel electrochemical switch. These molecules, bridging electrodes in a break junction, revealed single-molecule transport properties and challenges in realizing the switch concept.

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Area of Science:

Molecular electronics
Supramolecular chemistry
Electrochemistry

Background:

Development of molecular switches is crucial for advanced electronic devices.
Coordination of pyridine groups to metal surfaces offers potential for tunable molecular interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

To synthesize and investigate molecular cruciforms with thiol- and pyridine-anchor groups.
To explore a novel switching concept based on potential-dependent pyridine coordination to gold electrodes.
To study the single-molecule transport properties of these cruciforms in a mechanically controlled break junction.

Main Methods:

Synthesis of molecular cruciforms with specific anchor groups.
Electrochemical characterization in a liquid environment.
Single-molecule transport measurements using a mechanically controlled break junction.

Main Results:

Successful synthesis of molecular cruciforms with distinct n-systems and anchor groups.
Demonstration of single-molecule transport through individual cruciform subunits.
Observation of potential-dependent coordination effects, though challenges remain for full switching functionality.

Conclusions:

Molecular cruciforms show promise for single-molecule electronics.
Potential-dependent pyridine coordination is a viable, yet challenging, route for molecular switching.
Further optimization is needed to fully realize the proposed electrochemical switching concept.