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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.

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Electroactive Polymer Nanoparticles Exhibiting Photothermal Properties

Electroactive Polymer Nanoparticles Exhibiting Photothermal Properties

Published on: January 8, 2016

Double-electrochromic coordination polymer network films.

Anna Maier¹, Kalie Cheng, Julia Savych

¹Department für Chemie, Universität zu Köln Luxemburger Str. 116, D-50939 Köln, Germany.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

|June 18, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

New electrochromic films using poly(iminofluorene)-zinc complexes and specific anions show improved performance. These materials offer faster response times and enhanced color contrast for electrochromic devices.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Electrochemistry
Polymer Science

Background:

Electrochromic materials change color upon electrical stimulation.
Developing stable, high-performance electrochromic films is crucial for advanced display and smart window technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

To synthesize and characterize novel double-electrochromic films.
To investigate the electrochromic properties of poly(iminofluorene)-zinc complexes with specific anionic counterions.
To compare the performance of these new films with existing materials.

Main Methods:

Sequential adsorption of poly(4-(2,2':6,2″-terpyridyl)phenyliminofluorene) (P-1) and zinc salts of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) or poly((4-sulfonatophenyl)iminofluorene) (P-2) on solid supports.
Utilizing coordinative interactions between zinc ions and terpyridine ligands for film formation.
Characterization using optical, electrochemical, and electrochromic measurements.

Main Results:

Organized double-electrochromic films were successfully formed.
Films with ABTS counterions showed color changes from yellow to brownish gray and blue.
Films with P-2 counterions exhibited color changes from yellow to dark red and blue.
The new films demonstrated faster response times and higher contrast compared to films with hexafluorophosphate counterions.

Conclusions:

The synthesized electrochromic films exhibit promising properties for practical applications.
The choice of anionic counterion significantly influences the electrochromic performance and color palette.
These materials are stable under ambient conditions and suitable for electrochromic devices.