Example 5.6

Example . This form of isomerism is known as ‘hydrate isomerism’ in case where water is involved as a solvent. This is similar to ionisation isomerism. Solvate isomers differ by whether or not a solvent molecule is directly bonded to the metal ion or merely present as free solvent moleculesin the crystal lattice. An example is provided by the aqua complex [Cr(H O) ]Cl (violet) and its solvate isomer [Cr(H O) Cl]Cl .H O (grey-green). . . Solvate Isomerism Werner was the first to describe the bonding features in coordination compounds. But his theory could not answer basic questions like: (i) Why only certain elements possess the remarkable property of forming coordination compounds? (ii) Why the bonds in coordination compounds have directional properties? (iii) Why coordination compounds have characteristic magnetic and optical properties? Many approaches have been put forth to explain the nature of bonding in coordination compounds viz. Valence Bond Theory (VBT), Crystal Field Theory (CFT), Ligand Field Theory (LFT) and Molecular Orbital Theory (MOT). We shall focus our attention on elementary treatment of the application of VBT and CFT to coordination compounds. According to this theory, the metal atom or ion under the influence of ligands can use its (n- ) d , n s , n p or n s , n p , n d orbitals for hybridisation to yield a set of equivalent orbitals of definite geometry such as octahedral, tetrahedral, square planar and so on (Table . ). These hybridised orbitals are allowed to overlap with ligand orbitals that can donate electron pairs for bonding. This is illustrated by the following examples.