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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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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Updated: Jul 16, 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

Distinct selectivity inside self-assembled coordination cages.

Yang Liang¹, Xiaojuan Zhou¹, Sreeraj Gopi¹

¹Center for Supramolecular Chemistry and Catalysis and Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.

Frontiers in Chemistry

|September 21, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Self-assembled coordination cages, like palladium and gallium types, precisely orient molecules. This precise control enhances selectivity in regulating organic reactions, offering new possibilities in chemical synthesis.

Keywords:

confined spaces constrained environment distinct selectivity noncovalent protecting group self-assembled coordination cages

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Area of Science:

Supramolecular Chemistry
Coordination Chemistry
Organic Synthesis

Background:

Supramolecular containers are utilized to control organic reactions with high selectivity.
Their ability to orient guest molecules in specific conformations is key to this control.

Purpose of the Study:

To illustrate how self-assembled coordination cages can regulate organic reactions.
To highlight the role of cage structure in achieving specific molecular orientations.

Main Methods:

Review of representative self-assembled coordination cages.
Focus on octahedral Pd(II)-ligand cages ([Pd6L4]12+) and tetrahedral Ga(III)-ligand cages ([Ga4L6]12-).

Main Results:

Demonstration of precise guest molecule orientation within coordination cages.
Examples of how this precise orientation leads to distinct reaction selectivity.

Conclusions:

Self-assembled coordination cages offer a powerful platform for controlling organic reactions.
Palladium and gallium cages exemplify the potential of supramolecular hosts in directing chemical transformations.