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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...

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...

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...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2025

ARL Spectral Fitting as an Application to Augment Spectral Data via Franck-Condon Lineshape Analysis and Color Analysis

ARL Spectral Fitting as an Application to Augment Spectral Data via Franck-Condon Lineshape Analysis and Color Analysis

Published on: August 19, 2021

Colour tuneability of heteroleptic iridium complexes through second-sphere coordination.

Barbora Balónová¹, T Harri Jones¹, Allison E True¹

¹Department of Chemistry, University of New Brunswick Fredericton NB E3B 5A3 Canada b.blight@unb.ca.

|October 30, 2024

Summary

Researchers developed novel iridium(iii) complexes featuring hydrogen-bonding guanidine groups. These self-assembled systems exhibit unique host-guest properties, influencing photophysical characteristics like color and efficiency.

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Hyperspectral Imaging as a Tool to Study Optical Anisotropy in Lanthanide-Based Molecular Single Crystals

Hyperspectral Imaging as a Tool to Study Optical Anisotropy in Lanthanide-Based Molecular Single Crystals

Published on: April 14, 2020

Area of Science:

Coordination Chemistry
Supramolecular Chemistry
Photophysics

Background:

Iridium(iii) complexes are widely studied for their luminescent properties.
Hydrogen bonding is a key interaction in self-assembly and host-guest chemistry.
Controlling photophysical properties through supramolecular interactions is an active research area.

Purpose of the Study:

To synthesize and characterize novel iridium(iii) complexes incorporating hydrogen-bond-rich guanidine moieties.
To investigate the self-assembly and host-guest properties of these complexes.
To understand the impact of hydrogen bonding on the photophysical properties of iridium(iii) complexes.

Main Methods:

Synthesis and characterization of iridium(iii) complexes.
Spectroscopic and photophysical measurements (e.g., quantum yield, lifetime).
Experimental and computational studies to elucidate host-guest interactions and energy transfer mechanisms.

Main Results:

Successful synthesis of H-bond-rich iridium(iii) complexes with the general formula [Ir(C^N)2(N^N)].
Demonstration of self-assembled, iridium-bound hydrogen-bonded systems.
Significant influence of hydrogen bonding on chromaticity, quantum yields, and excited-state lifetimes.
Evidence of host-guest chemistry driven by second-sphere coordination.

Conclusions:

Guanidine-containing ligands enable the formation of supramolecular iridium assemblies.
Hydrogen bonding plays a crucial role in modulating the photophysical behavior of iridium(iii) complexes.
This work provides a new strategy for designing functional luminescent materials through controlled self-assembly.