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Science Clinic => Chemistry => Topic started by: itsmyluck on Nov 18, 2019

Title: What is the difference between a weak-field complex and a strong-field complex?
Post by: itsmyluck on Nov 18, 2019

Question 1

What is a coordinate covalent bond?

Question 2

What is the difference between a weak-field complex and a strong-field complex?

Title: What is the difference between a weak-field complex and a strong-field complex?
Post by: potomatos on Nov 18, 2019

Answer 1

A covalent bond is formed through the sharing of a pair of electrons, typically one electron from each atom in the bond. A coordinate covalent bond in a coordination complex forms when one atom from a ligand donates a pair of electrons into an empty orbital of the other atom, usually a metal.

Answer 2

The type of ligand attached to the central atom in a complex ion determines how the degenerate d-orbital energies will be split. In a weak-field complex, the d orbitals split with a small energy difference. In a strong-field complex, the d orbitals split with a large energy difference. The spectrochemical series describes an ordered list of strong-field to weak-field ligands. The energy required for electronic transitions between the split d orbitals determines the wavelength of light absorbed by the complex.