“Molecule” is a term used to describe a group of atoms that are chemically bonded together. Molecules are the smallest units of compounds that retain the chemical properties of those compounds. They can be composed of atoms of the same element (as in diatomic molecules like oxygen, O2) or different elements (as in water, H2O).…

Coordination number refers to the number of ligands that are directly bonded to a central metal atom or ion in a coordination complex. It defines the number of coordination sites available on the metal for ligand attachment. The coordination number determines the overall geometry of the complex and has implications for its physical and chemical…

The spectrochemical series is a ranking of ligands based on their ability to cause ligand field splitting in coordination complexes. It reflects the relative strength of the interaction between a ligand and a metal ion in terms of the energy separation between the metal’s d orbitals in the presence of that ligand. The spectrochemical series…

Transition metals are a group of elements located in the d-block of the periodic table. They are characterized by their partially filled d orbitals, which give rise to unique electronic, magnetic, and chemical properties. Transition metals exhibit a wide range of oxidation states and form complex compounds with a variety of ligands, making them essential…

Organometallic compounds are a class of compounds that contain at least one direct metal-carbon bond. These compounds bridge the fields of organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry, as they involve interactions between metal atoms or ions and organic ligands. Organometallic compounds have diverse structures and applications, ranging from catalysis and material science to medicinal chemistry. Here…

Diamagnetism is a property exhibited by all substances, including atoms and molecules, due to the presence of electrons in their atomic or molecular orbitals. Diamagnetic substances have all their electrons paired up in their orbitals, resulting in a cancellation of magnetic moments. As a result, diamagnetic substances are weakly repelled by an external magnetic field.…

Paramagnetism is a property exhibited by certain substances that contain unpaired electrons in their atomic or molecular orbitals. These unpaired electrons create magnetic moments that align with an external magnetic field, causing the substance to be weakly attracted into the field. In other words, paramagnetic substances become weakly magnetized in the presence of an external…

Crystal Field Theory (CFT) is a theoretical model used in coordination chemistry to describe the electronic structure and properties of coordination complexes. It focuses on the interaction between the ligands and the metal’s d orbitals, considering the electrostatic effects of the ligands’ negative charges on the metal center. CFT provides a simplified explanation of how…

Ligand Field Theory (LFT) is a theoretical model used in coordination chemistry to explain the electronic structure and properties of coordination complexes. It provides insights into how the arrangement of ligands around a central metal atom or ion affects the energies of the metal’s d orbitals, which in turn influences the complex’s color, magnetic properties,…

Naming ligands in coordination compounds follows a systematic set of rules established by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). The goal is to provide a clear and consistent way of naming compounds that accurately reflects their composition. The name of the ligand comes before the name of the central metal atom or…