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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.

Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect

Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect

In complexation reactions, metal atoms or cations interact with ligands to form donor-acceptor adducts called metal complexes. Ligands that bind through one donor site are monodentate, ligands with two donor sites are bidentate, and those with more than two donor sites are polydentate ligands. For example, ethylene diamine is a bidentate ligand that binds through two nitrogen donor atoms, forming a five-membered ring. EDTA is a polydentate ligand that binds through four oxygen and two nitrogen...

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...

Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes

Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes

Tetrahedral Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...

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...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 20, 2026

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes

Published on: April 10, 2015

Octahedral ruthenium complexes selectively stabilize G-quadruplexes.

Lei He¹, Xiang Chen¹, Zhenyu Meng¹

¹Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, Singapore. fwshao@ntu.edu.sg.

Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)

|June 7, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Ruthenium(II) complexes with planar ligands stabilize G-quadruplexes through π-stacking. These complexes show resistance to duplex DNA binding and selectivity for antiparallel G-quadruplex structures.

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Last Updated: Mar 20, 2026

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes

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Published on: April 10, 2015

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Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers

Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers

Published on: September 19, 2017

Area of Science:

Coordination Chemistry
Supramolecular Chemistry
Biophysical Chemistry

Background:

G-quadruplexes are non-canonical DNA structures implicated in various biological processes.
Developing selective ligands for G-quadruplexes is crucial for therapeutic applications.
Ruthenium(II) complexes are versatile platforms for developing DNA-interactive agents.

Purpose of the Study:

To synthesize novel octahedral Ruthenium(II) complexes.
To investigate the G-quadruplex stabilizing properties of these complexes.
To evaluate their selectivity towards different DNA topologies.

Main Methods:

Synthesis of octahedral Ruthenium(II) complexes featuring tetradentate planar ligands and axial ammonia ligands.
Spectroscopic and binding studies to assess complex-DNA interactions.
G-quadruplex stabilization assays and DNA binding selectivity experiments.

Main Results:

High stabilization of G-quadruplex structures was achieved via π-stacking interactions with aromatic planar ligands.
The axial ammonia ligands facilitated unique interactions, conferring resistance to duplex DNA binding.
Demonstrated selectivity for antiparallel G-quadruplex topology over other DNA forms.

Conclusions:

The designed Ruthenium(II) complexes effectively stabilize G-quadruplexes.
Axial ligand interactions are key for achieving DNA binding resistance and topological selectivity.
These findings offer potential for developing targeted G-quadruplex-based therapeutics.