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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.

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 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...

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...

Ladder Diagrams: Complexation Equilibria

Ladder Diagrams: Complexation Equilibria

Ladder diagrams are useful for evaluating equilibria involving metal-ligand complexes. The vertical scale of the ladder diagram represents the concentration of unreacted or free ligand, pL. The horizontal lines on the scale depict the log of stepwise formation constants for metal-ligand complexes and indicate the dominant species in all the regions.
The formation constant, K1, for the formation of Cd(NH3)2+ complex from cadmium and ammonia is 3.55 × 102. Log K1 (i.e. pNH3) is 2.55, and...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 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

Diaqua-(2,2'-bipyridine-κN,N')bis-(perchlorato-κO)copper(II).

Maamar Damous, Meriem Hamlaoui, Sofiane Bouacida

Acta Crystallographica. Section E, Structure Reports Online

|July 15, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study details a copper compound with a distorted octahedral geometry, revealing a long copper-oxygen bond. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds and pi-pi stacking stabilize the crystal structure.

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Published on: May 28, 2014

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Amide Coupling Reaction for the Synthesis of Bispyridine-based Ligands and Their Complexation to Platinum as Dinuclear Anticancer Agents

Amide Coupling Reaction for the Synthesis of Bispyridine-based Ligands and Their Complexation to Platinum as Dinuclear Anticancer Agents

Published on: May 28, 2014

Area of Science:

Inorganic Chemistry
Crystallography
Coordination Chemistry

Background:

Jahn-Teller distortion is a key phenomenon in coordination chemistry affecting metal ion geometry.
Understanding crystal packing and intermolecular forces is crucial for predicting material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To characterize the crystal structure and coordination environment of a novel copper(II) perchlorate complex.
To investigate the intermolecular interactions, including hydrogen bonding and pi-pi stacking, within the crystal lattice.

Main Methods:

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction was employed to determine the molecular and crystal structure.
Analysis of bond distances, angles, and intermolecular contacts was performed.

Main Results:

The central copper ion (Cu) displays a Jahn-Teller distorted octahedral geometry with a (4+1+1) coordination mode.
A notably long Cu-O bond distance of 2.5058(12) Å was observed towards a perchlorate oxygen.
Intermolecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions (3.7848(9)–4.4231(9) Å) were identified, forming layered structures.

Conclusions:

The unique coordination geometry and intermolecular forces dictate the layered crystal packing.
The findings contribute to the understanding of Jahn-Teller effects in copper complexes and crystal engineering principles.