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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...

Complexation Equilibria: Factors Influencing Stability of Complexes

Complexation Equilibria: Factors Influencing Stability of Complexes

In complexation reactions, metal cations are the electron pair acceptors, and the ligands are the electron pair donors. The stability of the metal complexes depends primarily on the complexing ability of the central metal ion and the nature of the ligands. Generally, the complexing ability of the metal ion depends on the size and charge of the ion. As the metal ion size increases, the stability of the metal complexes decreases, provided that the valency of the metal ion and the ligands remain...

Properties of Organometallic Compounds

Properties of Organometallic Compounds

Organometallic compounds are compounds that contain a carbon–metal bond. Carbon belongs to an organyl group like alkyl, aryl, allyl, or benzyl groups. The metal can be from Group I or Group II of the periodic table, a transition metal, or a semimetal.

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...

Radical Formation: Overview

Radical Formation: Overview

A bond can be broken either by heterolytic bond cleavage to form ions or homolytic bond cleavage to yield radicals. A fishhook arrow is used to represent the motion of a single electron in homolytic bond cleavage. There are two main sources from which radicals can be formed:
Radicals from spin-paired molecules:
Radicals can be obtained from spin-paired molecules either by homolysis or electron transfer. While two radicals are formed in the former, an electron is added in the...

Radical Formation: Addition

Radical Formation: Addition

Radicals can be formed by adding a radical to a spin-paired molecule. This is typically observed with unsaturated species, where the addition of a radical across the π bond leads to the production of a new radical by dissolving the π bond. For example, the addition of a Br radical to an alkene yields a carbon-centered radical.
Similar to charge conservation in chemical reactions, spin conservation is implicit for radical reactions. Accordingly, the product formed must possess an...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 28, 2025

Author Spotlight: Functionalizing Metal-Organic Frameworks: Advancements, Challenges, and the Power of Post-Synthetic Ligand Exchange

Author Spotlight: Functionalizing Metal-Organic Frameworks: Advancements, Challenges, and the Power of Post-Synthetic Ligand Exchange

Published on: June 23, 2023

Main-Group Metal Complexes in Selective Bond Formations Through Radical Pathways.

Crispin Lichtenberg¹

¹Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.

Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)

|February 13, 2020

Summary

Main-group metal complexes are revolutionizing radical reactions, enabling selective bond formations. These compounds offer high activity and functional group tolerance, positioning them as key tools in modern synthetic chemistry.

Keywords:

bond formation catalysis main-group metals organic and inorganic synthesis radicals

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Published on: March 19, 2020

Area of Science:

Organometallic Chemistry
Radical Chemistry
Main-group Chemistry

Background:

Recent advances in main-group metal complexes have led to the isolation and characterization of novel radical compounds.
Highly reactive persistent and transient radical species involving main-group metals have been generated.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the advancements in radical reactions mediated by main-group metal complexes.
To showcase the potential of these complexes in selective bond formations and controlled radical reactions.

Main Methods:

Isolation and characterization of main-group metal radical compounds.
Development of methods for generating and controlling reactive radical species.
Application of these compounds in synthetic transformations.

Main Results:

Establishment of a comprehensive set of methods for controlling radical reactivity.
Demonstration of main-group metal compounds performing selective bond formations.
Achieving unusual selectivities, high activities, and broad functional-group tolerance.

Conclusions:

Main-group metal compounds are emerging as versatile tools in synthetic chemistry through radical pathways.
These compounds are demonstrating potential comparable to late transition metals in catalysis.
Future applications in catalysis and materials science are anticipated.