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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...

Structural Isomerism

Structural Isomerism

Isomerism in Complexes
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can...

Stereoisomerism

Stereoisomerism

Isomerism in Complexes
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula.
Transition metal complexes often exist as geometric isomers, in which the same atoms are connected through the same types of bonds but with differences in their orientation in space. Coordination complexes with two different ligands in the cis and trans positions from a ligand of interest form isomers. For example, the octahedral [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ ion has two isomers (Figure 1) In the cis...

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...

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...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Synthesis of Information-bearing Peptoids and their Sequence-directed Dynamic Covalent Self-assembly

Synthesis of Information-bearing Peptoids and their Sequence-directed Dynamic Covalent Self-assembly

Published on: February 6, 2020

Shape Complementary Coordination Self-Assembly of a Redox-Active Heteroleptic Complex.

Jin-Jin Xuan^1,2, Zi-Jun Xia^1,2, Dan-Ni Yan²

¹College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People's Republic of China.

Inorganic Chemistry

|June 1, 2022

Summary

Researchers created a novel heteroleptic coordination complex using specific ligands and palladium. This complex efficiently catalyzes the aerobic photo-oxidation of alcohols, showcasing its catalytic potential.

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Last Updated: Sep 21, 2025

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Published on: February 6, 2020

Line Shape Analysis of Dynamic NMR Spectra for Characterizing Coordination Sphere Rearrangements at a Chiral Rhenium Polyhydride Complex

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Preparation of SNS CobaltII Pincer Model Complexes of Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase

Preparation of SNS CobaltII Pincer Model Complexes of Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase

Published on: March 19, 2020

Area of Science:

Supramolecular Chemistry
Coordination Chemistry
Catalysis

Background:

Self-assembly of coordination complexes offers pathways to intricate molecular architectures.
Heteroleptic complexes, incorporating multiple distinct ligands, present unique structural and functional possibilities.
Pyridinium-functionalized bis-triazine ligands are emerging building blocks in supramolecular chemistry.

Purpose of the Study:

To synthesize and characterize a novel heteroleptic coordination complex.
To investigate the self-assembly behavior of functionalized macrocyclic ligands with metal ions.
To explore the catalytic applications of the resulting complex in oxidation reactions.

Main Methods:

Coordination-driven self-assembly using pyridinium-functionalized bis-2,4,6-tris(pyridin-3-yl)-1,3,5-triazine (bis-3-TPT) and 3-TPT ligands with cis-blocking bpyPd(NO3)2.
Characterization of the synthesized complex using spectroscopic and crystallographic techniques.
Evaluation of the complex's catalytic activity in aerobic photo-oxidation of aromatic secondary alcohols.

Main Results:

A single, thermodynamically favored heteroleptic complex [(bpyPd)L^1 L^2_2] (1) was successfully obtained, driven by shape complementarity.
Homoleptic self-assemblies resulted in dynamic mixtures, highlighting the advantage of heteroleptic design.
The redox-active heteroleptic complex demonstrated high efficiency in catalyzing the aerobic photo-oxidation of aromatic secondary alcohols under mild conditions.

Conclusions:

The study demonstrates the successful coordination self-assembly of a novel heteroleptic complex.
Shape complementarity plays a crucial role in directing the formation of a single thermodynamic product.
The synthesized complex exhibits significant potential as an efficient catalyst for aerobic oxidation reactions.