Coordination Chemistry and Complexes

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the coordination chemistry of manganese complexes, specifically focusing on a hypothetical tricarbonyl complex with CO and PH3 ligands. Participants explore the oxidation state of manganese, hybridization, geometry of the complex, and the stability implications of substituting PH3 with PF3 ligands. The scope includes theoretical considerations and electronic configurations related to coordination complexes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the oxidation state of manganese in the complex should be +2, based on typical oxidation states of manganese.
  • Others question whether all electrons are paired in the Mn^2+ state and suggest writing the electronic configuration of Mn^0 to clarify this.
  • One participant suggests that the hybridization of manganese could be sp3d with a trigonal bipyramidal geometry, based on the bonding of five ligands.
  • Another participant argues that the increased electronegativity of fluorine in PF3 compared to PH3 may lead to greater stabilization of the complex due to enhanced back bonding.
  • There is a discussion about the electron configurations of various manganese oxidation states, with some participants noting that Mn^0 has unpaired d electrons while Mn^2+ has five unpaired d electrons.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about how diamagnetism relates to the stability of the complex and whether it should be assumed for part a.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the oxidation state of manganese and the implications of diamagnetism on stability. There is no consensus on the exact oxidation state or the effect of hybridization and geometry on the complex's properties.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of electron configurations and the pairing of electrons in determining the magnetic properties of the complex. There are unresolved questions regarding the assumptions made about diamagnetism and its influence on stability.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and researchers interested in coordination chemistry, particularly those exploring the properties and behaviors of transition metal complexes.

anap40
Messages
30
Reaction score
0
The Question
a)If manganese reacts with CO and PH3 ligands to form a stable, tricarbonyl 5 coordinate complex, what manganese oxidation state and charge for the complex can be expected? Why?

b)If the complex is diamagnetic how is manganese hybridized and what is the geometry of the complex?

c)The stability of this complex should increase if PH3 Ligands are replaced with PF3 ligands. Why?What I know

For part a the complex should be called tricarbonyldiphosphinemanganese(II?)
It is a Mn surrounded by 3 CO and 2 PH3 and the C's and P's are bonded to the Mn.

For Part A)
I think the oxidation state should be 2 but only because that is what Mn normally is.For Part B)
My guess is sp3d hybridized with a trigonal bipyramidal shape.
I only say this because that is the shape and hybridization of a molcule w/ 5 atoms bonded to it. Is there anything different that needs to be done when considering coordination complexes?

For Part C)
I really don't know why PF3 ligands would make it more stable, my only guess would be that F is much more electronegative so would stabilize the electron density better.

Thanks for any help.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
anap40 said:
The Question
a)If manganese reacts with CO and PH3 ligands to form a stable, tricarbonyl 5 coordinate complex, what manganese oxidation state and charge for the complex can be expected? Why?

b)If the complex is diamagnetic how is manganese hybridized and what is the geometry of the complex?

It does say diamagnetic. All electrons are paired. Are all the electrons paired in Mn+2? Start by writing the electronic configuration for Mn^0

c)The stability of this complex should increase if PH3 Ligands are replaced with PF3 ligands. Why?
Why would the electronegativity of F 'stabilize the electron density better'?
 
Ok I figured out part c.
It has to do with the F being more electronegative than H so on PF3 the electron density around P is lower which allows more back bonding to occur.

I am still not sure how to do part a, examples in the book that asked for oxidation state give the charge of the complex. If I can get the oxidation state in part a, I should be able to do part b.

Thanks.
 
Write out the electron configuration of Mn^0 and all of the known ions of Mn. Then put 2 electrons in the empty orbitals (from the ligands) and see which ion gives a completely electron-paired result.
 
Ok, but should I assume that for part a it is diamagnetic, because it adds that in part b.
Does being diamagnetic have any effect on stability?Correct me if I am wrong on the following:
For Mn^0, isn't the e config [Ar]3d^5 4s^2 with all 5 of the d electrons unpaired?

Then for Mn^2+, the e config is [Ar] 3d^5 because the 4s electrons will be lost since they are at a higher quantum level. Again, all the d electrons are unpaired.

Then for Mn^7+, the e config is [Ar], so there are 5 empty d orbitals which can bond w/ the 5 ligands.(Does it matter that the 4s orbital is empty? I'm guessing it doesn't)I appreciate the help.
 
You're getting there. If it were not diamagnetic, where would the 5 pairs of electrons go? What energy levels (orbitals) would they occupy if it were paramagnetic?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Replies
6
Views
7K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
7K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
17K
Replies
2
Views
2K