Inorganic chemistry: d-Metal complexes

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To determine the type of d-metal complex a molecule represents, one must first identify the central metal and its position on the periodic table to ascertain its number of valence electrons. For chromium (Cr), it has six valence electrons in its neutral state. Next, the oxidation state of the metal in the complex must be established; for the examples given, both complexes involve Cr in the +2 oxidation state. By subtracting the oxidation state from the total number of valence electrons, the d-electron count can be calculated. In the case of [Cr(H2O)6]2+, the calculation yields d4, while for [Cr(CN)6]4-, it results in d3. The nature of the ligands also influences the electron count, with water being neutral and cyanide having a -1 charge, impacting the overall charge and thus the d-electron calculation. Understanding whether to use ionic or covalent counting systems is crucial in this analysis.
jsundberg
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I need some help, in explaining how to know what kind of d-metal complex a molecule is.

For example, I have:
1. [Cr(H2O)6]2+
2. [Cr(CN)6]4-

I know that #1 is d4, and #2 is d3, but that's just because it says so in my paper. How do I "calculate" it if that information is not given? Many thanks!

:eek:

(My english sucks, hope you understand what I mean).
 
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How many valence electrons are there in each? (Hint-look at the charge)
How do the ligands on each metal effect it?
 
It all depends on if you are using the ionic counting system of the covalent counting system.

It looks like the 2 examples are using the ionic system.

Let me try to give a step by step way to tell the d-electron count on your metal.

  1. Identify your metal and locate it on the periodic table.
  2. Count the number columns on the periodic table starting in the first row, the alkali metals, and ending in the row of your TM. This is the number of valence electrons in the neutral metal atom in a ligand or crystal field. In the case of chromium, this is 6, so it would be d6.
  3. Determine its oxidation state [in #1 and #2 it's Cr(II)]
  4. Subtract the oxidation state number from the number you got by counting periodic columns and you know the number of d-valence electrons on your central metal atom.
 
jsundberg said:
I need some help, in explaining how to know what kind of d-metal complex a molecule is.

For example, I have:
1. [Cr(H2O)6]2+
2. [Cr(CN)6]4-

I know that #1 is d4, and #2 is d3, but that's just because it says so in my paper. How do I "calculate" it if that information is not given? Many thanks!

:eek:

(My english sucks, hope you understand what I mean).

Cr is an exception. it has 6 valence electrons, so since water is neutral Cr is 2+ charge, so d = (6-2) = 4
CN has -1 charge so Cr charge is +2 => d=6-2 = 4
 
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