Coordination Chemistry
Dr. Colm Delaney
Brief introduction - why study metal complexes?
What is a metal complex?
Overview of concepts and definitions: Lewis Acid-base concept.
Classification of common ligands
Donor atoms and functional groups. Multidentate and chelating ligands; stereochemistry and formation of chelate rings.
Stereochemistry of metal complexes
Coordination numbers 2-6 and geometry of metal complex; square planar, tetrahedral; trigonal bi-pyramid; square based pyramid; octahedral; distortion of geometries.
Electronic structure and properties of transition metal complexes
Ionic vs. covalent bonding models; crystal field theory; energy level diagrams in tetrahedral - octahedral fields.
Consequences and applications of orbital splitting
Electronic configurations of metal complexes; crystal filed stabilization energies (CFSE); Factors affecting Delta; spectrochemical series; HS and LS configurations; magnetic properties and the spin-only formula.
Electronic spectra of metal complexes
UV-vis. Spectra; interpretation of data; Laporte and spin selection rules; extinction coefficients and wavelength; Jahn-Teller effect.
Formation and stability of metal complexes
Complex formation and dissociation; cumulative stability constants and trends; the 'chelate effect'; factors affecting stability.