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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...

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...

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.

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.

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...

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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Updated: Jan 8, 2026

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

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

Published on: July 27, 2022

Paramagnetic Transition Metal Hydride Complexes.

Adi Fishkin¹, Robert H Morris¹

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 Saint George St., Toronto, Ontario M5S3H6, Canada.

Chemical Reviews

|December 22, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Paramagnetic hydride complexes (PHC) exhibit weaker metal-hydride bonds than diamagnetic analogs. Their diverse reactivity and prevalence in earth-abundant metals highlight their potential for sustainable catalysis.

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The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes

Published on: April 10, 2015

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The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes

Published on: April 10, 2015

Area of Science:

Inorganic Chemistry
Organometallic Chemistry
Catalysis

Background:

Paramagnetic hydride complexes (PHC) are crucial in understanding chemical reactions.
Characterizing these complexes provides insights into bonding and reactivity.

Purpose of the Study:

To categorize structures, bonding, energetics, preparation, characterization, and reactions of PHC.
To reveal trends in PHC properties and their catalytic applications.

Main Methods:

Crystallographic characterization of terminal and bridging hydrides.
Tabulation of experimental and theoretical bond energies.
Magnetometry and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) studies.
Analysis of hyperfine coupling constants and NMR data.

Main Results:

PHC with similar ligands show weaker M-H bonds compared to diamagnetic hydrides.
Bridging hydrides often exhibit reduced magnetic moments due to antiferromagnetic coupling.
A wide range of hyperfine coupling constants were observed, influenced by bonding orbitals and Fermi contact term.
Ten compounds showed hydride 1H NMR resonances in paramagnetic states.
Over 40 homogeneous catalytic processes involving suspected PHC were detailed.

Conclusions:

PHC display unique bonding and reactivity patterns.
Their prevalence in earth-abundant metals makes them highly relevant for sustainable catalysis.
Further research into PHC properties and applications is warranted.