Why transition elements show tendency to form large number of complexes??

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Why transition elements show tendency to form large number of complexes??

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Answer 1 · 2017-08-12T14:59:24

It is because the transition metals have variable oxidation states.

Explanation:

The transition elements span from group 3 to 11.They show variable oxidation states according to the catalyst, reacting element or compound, and the conditions of the reaction they are participating in.Thus, they can form a large number of complex compounds

They also form coordination compounds which have $d_{π} - d_{π}$ $d_(pi) - d_(pi)$ overlap of orbitals.

Answer 2 · 2017-08-13T00:28:37

It's because they have $d$ $d$ orbitals, which are naturally oriented along all the coordinate axes in ways that are convenient for forming many $σ$ $sigma$ bonds and some $π$ $pi$ bonds.

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Some examples...

The $d_{z^{2}}^{2}$ $d_(z^2)$ and $d_{x^{2} - y^{2}}^{2}$ $d_(x^2 - y^2)$ are useful for $σ$ $sigma$ bonding along the coordinate axes.

Inorganic Chemistry, Miessler et al.

The $d_{x y}$ $d_(xy)$ , $d_{x z}$ $d_(xz)$ and $d_{y z}$ $d_(yz)$ can be used for $π$ $pi$ bonding on octahedral complexes.

https://organometallicchem.files.wordpress.com/

The right-hand side of the diagram illustrates $π$ $pi$ bonding with ethene using a $d_{x y}$ $d_(xy)$ orbital, and the left-hand side is a $σ$ $sigma$ bond with ethene using a $d_{x^{2} - y^{2}}^{2}$ $d_(x^2-y^2)$ orbital.

This kind of bond is known to rotate at low temperatures, and thus, variable-temperature NMR is useful in identifying such complexes.

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Why transition elements show tendency to form large number of complexes??

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