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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.

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...

Formation of Complex Ions

Formation of Complex Ions

A type of Lewis acid-base chemistry involves the formation of a complex ion (or a coordination complex) comprising a central atom, typically a transition metal cation, surrounded by ions or molecules called ligands. These ligands can be neutral molecules like H2O or NH3, or ions such as CN− or OH−. Often, the ligands act as Lewis bases, donating a pair of electrons to the central atom. These types of Lewis acid-base reactions are examples of a broad subdiscipline called coordination...

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...

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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

[(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6: A General and Broadly Applicable Copper-Based Photoredox Catalyst

[(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF₆: A General and Broadly Applicable Copper-Based Photoredox Catalyst

Published on: May 21, 2019

Aqua-bis-(methacrylato-κO)bis(pyridine-κN)copper(II).

Bin Wu¹, Haizhen Yao

¹Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, People's Republic of China.

Acta Crystallographica. Section E, Structure Reports Online

|May 18, 2011

Summary

This study details the crystal structure of a copper(II) complex featuring methyl-acrylate and pyridine ligands. The complex exhibits a distorted square-pyramidal geometry with hydrogen bonds forming molecular chains.

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Published on: September 18, 2016

Area of Science:

Coordination Chemistry
Crystallography
Materials Science

Background:

Copper(II) complexes are vital in catalysis and materials science.
Understanding coordination geometry and intermolecular interactions is key to designing new materials.
Methyl-acrylate and pyridine are common ligands in coordination chemistry.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the crystal structure of a novel copper(II) complex.
To characterize the coordination environment and intermolecular interactions within the crystal lattice.
To investigate the role of methyl-acrylate and pyridine ligands in copper complex formation.

Main Methods:

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction was employed to determine the crystal structure.
Analysis of bond lengths, angles, and coordination geometry.
Identification and analysis of hydrogen bonding networks.

Main Results:

The copper(II) cation adopts a distorted square-pyramidal geometry.
The complex is coordinated by two methyl-acrylate anions, two pyridine ligands, and one water molecule.
O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the molecules, forming chains along the c-axis.

Conclusions:

The crystal structure provides insights into the coordination behavior of copper(II) with methyl-acrylate and pyridine.
The observed hydrogen bonding network influences the supramolecular assembly.
This structural information can guide the design of novel copper-based materials.