Question

Give the steps to understand the metal-ligand bonding.

Answer 1

The steps to understand the metal-ligand bonding include are:

1. Determine the core metal ion's oxidation state.
2. Write the metal ion's valence shell electrical configuration.
3. Check to see if the complex has a high or low spin. (applicable only for octahedral complexes with d⁴ to d⁸ electronic configurations.)
4. From the number of ligands find the number of metal ion orbitals required for bonding.
5. Identify the orbitals of metal ion available for hybridisation and the type of hybridisation involved.
6. After hybridization, write the electrical configuration.
7. Show filling of orbitals after complex formation.
8. Determine the number of unpaired electrons and predict magnetic behaviour of the complex.