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Related Concept Videos

Valence Bond Theory02:42

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...
Colors and Magnetism03:02

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 eye.
Radical Reactivity: Overview01:11

Radical Reactivity: Overview

Radicals, the highly reactive species, gain stability by undergoing three different reactions. The first reaction involves a radical-radical coupling, in which a radical combines with another radical, forming a spin‐paired molecule. The second reaction is between a radical and a spin‐paired molecule, generating a new radical and a new spin‐paired molecule. The third reaction is radical decomposition in a unimolecular reaction, forming a new radical and a spin‐paired molecule. These three...
Metal-Ligand Bonds02:51

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.
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Structural Isomerism02:34

Structural Isomerism

Isomerism in Complexes
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Radical Reactivity: Intramolecular vs Intermolecular

Radical reactions can occur either intermolecularly or intramolecularly. In an intermolecular radical reaction, a nucleophilic radical adds to an electrophilic alkene or vice versa. In such reactions, the radical and generally the alkene, which is also called the radical trap, are two different molecules. Additionally, for such intermolecular reactions to occur, the radical trap must be active, present in an excess concentration, and the radical starting material must have a weak carbon–halogen...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Preparation of SNS Cobalt(II) Pincer Model Complexes of Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase
06:31

Preparation of SNS Cobalt(II) Pincer Model Complexes of Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase

Published on: March 19, 2020

Stable Diradical to Pentaradical Cobalt-Dithiolene Complexes: Toward Cobalt-Based Multinuclear-Multiradical

Sujit Das1, Sangita Mondal1, Harichandhana Elamplakkattu1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India.

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|June 2, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers stabilized multiple radical centers in cobalt complexes using novel N-heterocyclic carbene ligands. This breakthrough allows isolation of unprecedented mono- to penta-nuclear cobalt multiradical complexes, advancing inorganic chemistry.

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Isolating Free Carbenes, their Mixed Dimers and Organic Radicals
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Accessing Valuable Ligand Supports for Transition Metals: A Modified, Intermediate Scale Preparation of 1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene
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Accessing Valuable Ligand Supports for Transition Metals: A Modified, Intermediate Scale Preparation of 1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene

Published on: March 20, 2017

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Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

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Published on: March 19, 2020

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Accessing Valuable Ligand Supports for Transition Metals: A Modified, Intermediate Scale Preparation of 1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene
09:45

Accessing Valuable Ligand Supports for Transition Metals: A Modified, Intermediate Scale Preparation of 1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene

Published on: March 20, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Organic Chemistry

Background:

  • Stabilizing multiple radical centers in transition metal complexes is challenging due to metal-ligand electronic interactions.
  • First-row transition metals often quench ligand radical character, leading to instability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To overcome limitations in stabilizing radical centers within inorganic complexes.
  • To synthesize and characterize unprecedented cobalt-based multiradical complexes.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized redox-active N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based anionic dithiolene radical ligands (LE•−).
  • Controlled stoichiometry of ligands and cobalt chloride (CoCl2) to regulate nuclearity.
  • Employed single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, UV-vis, Raman, XPS, and EPR spectroscopy, along with DC magnetic studies.

Main Results:

  • Isolated four unprecedented cobalt-based multiradical complexes (mono- to penta-nuclear).
  • Characterized a tetraradical cubane [Co(II)4Cl4(LS•−)4] with a μ3-Cl-bridged core.
  • Synthesized a mononuclear Co(III) complex with a trisulfide-NHC motif and a pentanuclear mixed-valence Co(II)/Co(III) complex.

Conclusions:

  • Demonstrated the successful stabilization and isolation of multiple radical centers in cobalt complexes.
  • Established the utility of NHC-based dithiolene radical ligands for creating novel multiradical systems.
  • Provided insights into metal-radical and radical-radical interactions in these unique complexes.