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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...

Valence Bond Theory

Valence Bond Theory

Overview of Valence Bond Theory

Periodic Classification of the Elements

Periodic Classification of the Elements

The periodic table arranges atoms based on increasing atomic number so that elements with the same chemical properties recur periodically. When their electron configurations are added to the table, a periodic recurrence of similar electron configurations in the outer shells of these elements is observed. Because they are in the outer shells of an atom, valence electrons play the most important role in chemical reactions. The outer electrons have the highest energy of the electrons in an atom...

Properties of Transition Metals

Properties of Transition Metals

Transition metals are defined as those elements that have partially filled d orbitals. As shown in Figure 1, the d-block elements in groups 3–12 are transition elements. The f-block elements, also called inner transition metals (the lanthanides and actinides), also meet this criterion because the d orbital is partially occupied before the f orbitals.

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...

Electron Configuration of Multielectron Atoms

Electron Configuration of Multielectron Atoms

The alkali metal sodium (atomic number 11) has one more electron than the neon atom. This electron must go into the lowest-energy subshell available, the 3s orbital, giving a 1s22s22p63s1 configuration. The electrons occupying the outermost shell orbital(s) (highest value of n) are called valence electrons, and those occupying the inner shell orbitals are called core electrons. Since the core electron shells correspond to noble gas electron configurations, we can abbreviate electron...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 25, 2025

Application of Elemental Lanthanides in the Selective C-F Activation of Trifluoromethylated Benzofulvenes Providing Access to Various Difluoroalkenes

Application of Elemental Lanthanides in the Selective C-F Activation of Trifluoromethylated Benzofulvenes Providing Access to Various Difluoroalkenes

Published on: July 28, 2018

Intermediate Valence States in Lanthanide Compounds.

Maxime Tricoire¹, Nolwenn Mahieu¹, Thomas Simler¹

¹LCM, CNRS, Ecole polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Route de Saclay, 91128, Palaiseau, cedex, France.

Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)

|December 19, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Intermediate valence states in lanthanide compounds cause puzzling properties. New models explain these singularities, enabling tuning of lanthanide complex reactivity for novel applications.

Keywords:

intermediate valence lanthanides organometallics spectroscopy theoretical computations

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Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: July 21, 2011

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Last Updated: Nov 25, 2025

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Published on: July 28, 2018

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Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: July 21, 2011

Area of Science:

Solid State Chemistry
Quantum Chemistry
Materials Science

Background:

Lanthanide compounds exhibit unusual spectroscopic and magnetic properties due to intermediate valence states.
Historically, these experimental singularities lacked adequate theoretical explanations.

Purpose of the Study:

To review observed singularities in lanthanide complexes.
To detail theoretical models explaining these phenomena.
To explore tuning electronic effects based on energy and symmetry.

Main Methods:

Review of experimental observations of lanthanide complex properties.
Detailed explanation of multiconfigurational electronic ground state models.
Analysis of energy and symmetry effects on electronic behavior.

Main Results:

Identification and categorization of various singularities in lanthanide complexes.
Establishment of theoretical models to rationalize observed properties.
Demonstration of how electronic effects can be adjusted.

Conclusions:

Multiconfigurational ground states are crucial for understanding lanthanide complex behavior.
Tuning these electronic effects offers pathways to novel reactivities.
This understanding facilitates the design of modular and unusual lanthanide-based materials.