Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 10, 2026

From Molecules to Materials: Engineering New Ionic Liquid Crystals Through Halogen Bonding
Published on: March 24, 2018
Crystal structures of two ytterbium(III) complexes comprising alkynylamidinate ligands
Sida Wang1, Farid M Sroor2, Phil Liebing1
1Chemisches Institut der Otto-von-Guericke-Universitaet Magdeburg, Universitaetsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany.
Abstract:
Two ytterbium(III) complexes comprising alkynylamidinate ligands, namely bis-(η5-cyclo-penta-dien-yl)(3-cyclo-propyl-N,N'-diiso-propyl-propynamidinato-κ2N,N')ytterbium(III), [Yb(C5H5)2(C12H19N2)] or Cp2Yb[( Pr2N)2C-C≡C-c-C3H5] (1) and tris-(3-phenyl-N,N'-di-cyclo-hexyl-propynamidinato-κ2N,N')ytterbium(III), [Yb(C21H27N2)3] or Yb[(CyN)2C-C≡C-Ph]3 (Cy = cyclo-hex-yl) (2) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Both complexes are monomers; for complex 2, the contribution to the scattering from highly disordered toluene solvent molecules in these voids was removed with the SQUEEZE routine [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9-18] in PLATON. The stated crystal data for Mr, μ etc. do not take these into account.
Related Concept Videos
Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar 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,...
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
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...
Valence Bond Theory
EDTA: Chemistry and Properties
Acidity of 1-Alkynes
The acidic strength of hydrocarbons follows the order: Alkynes > Alkenes > Alkanes. The strength of an acid is commonly expressed in units of pKa — the lower the pKa, the stronger the acid. Among the hydrocarbons, terminal alkynes have lower pKa values and are, therefore, more acidic. For example, the pKa values for ethane, ethene, and acetylene are 51, 44, and 25, respectively, as shown here.
EDTA: Auxiliary Complexing Reagents

