Part 4 (TRANSITION COMPLEXES) An important feature of the transition metals is their ability to form complex ions and molecules, often called coordination compounds. A complex consists of a central metal ion surrounded by ligands. A ligand is a molecule or negative ion with at least one lone (non-bonding) pair of electrons available for bonding with the metal ion. Ligands are electron donors, donating their non- bonding electrons into unfilled metal orbitals and forming what are known as dative covalent bonds i.e. where the two electrons are donated by one of the atoms, rather than one electron from each atom. The lone pair or non-bonding pair of electrons are as a pair of dots on the atoms. The electron orbitals of the ligand have an effect on the electron distribution in the central ion and this in turn results in significant effects in physical properties of the complexes e.g. colour. Typical ligands involved in the formation of complexes are negative ions such as; CN- F-, Cl-, Br-, I-
Part 4 (TRANSITION COMPLEXES) An important feature of the transition metals is their ability to form complex ions and molecules, often called coordination compounds. A complex consists of a central metal ion surrounded by ligands. A ligand is a molecule or negative ion with at least one lone (non-bonding) pair of electrons available for bonding with the metal ion. Ligands are electron donors, donating their non- bonding electrons into unfilled metal orbitals and forming what are known as dative covalent bonds i.e. where the two electrons are donated by one of the atoms, rather than one electron from each atom. The lone pair or non-bonding pair of electrons are as a pair of dots on the atoms. The electron orbitals of the ligand have an effect on the electron distribution in the central ion and this in turn results in significant effects in physical properties of the complexes e.g. colour. Typical ligands involved in the formation of complexes are negative ions such as; CN- F-, Cl-, Br-, I-
InorganicSept2016Final-1.docx