Coordination Chemistry
Each list begins with basic conceptual vocabulary you need to know for MCAT questions and proceeds to advanced terms that might appear in context in MCAT passages. The terms are links to Wikipedia articles.
Complex
A complex is a molecule or ensemble formed by the combination of ligands and metal ions.
A complex is a molecule or ensemble formed by the combination of ligands and metal ions.
Coordinate covalent bond
A coordinate covalent bond is a type of covalent bonding between two atoms in which both electrons shared in the bond come from the same atom.
A coordinate covalent bond is a type of covalent bonding between two atoms in which both electrons shared in the bond come from the same atom.
Lewis base
A Lewis base is any molecule or ion that can form a new coordinate covalent bond, by donating a pair of electrons.
A Lewis base is any molecule or ion that can form a new coordinate covalent bond, by donating a pair of electrons.
Ligand
A ligand is an atom, ion, or molecule donating one or more of its electrons through a coordinate covalent bond to one or more central atoms or ions
A ligand is an atom, ion, or molecule donating one or more of its electrons through a coordinate covalent bond to one or more central atoms or ions
Coordination number
Coordination number is defined as the total number of neighbors of a central atom in a chemical compound.
Coordination number is defined as the total number of neighbors of a central atom in a chemical compound.
Inorganic chemistry
The field of inorganic chemistry covers all chemical compounds except the myriad organic compounds, which are the subjects of organic chemistry.
The field of inorganic chemistry covers all chemical compounds except the myriad organic compounds, which are the subjects of organic chemistry.
Organometallic chemistry
Organometallic chemistry is the study of chemical compounds containing bonds between carbon and a metal.
Organometallic chemistry is the study of chemical compounds containing bonds between carbon and a metal.
Chelation
Chelation is the binding or complexation of a bi- or multidentate ligand.
Chelation is the binding or complexation of a bi- or multidentate ligand.
18-Electron rule
Arising from the size of the valance shell of a transition metal, the 18-electron rule is a rule of thumb used primarily in transition metal chemistry for characterizing and predicting the stability of metal complexes.
Arising from the size of the valance shell of a transition metal, the 18-electron rule is a rule of thumb used primarily in transition metal chemistry for characterizing and predicting the stability of metal complexes.
Bridging ligand
A bridging ligand is an atom or a polyatomic entity that connects two or more metal centres in a complex.
A bridging ligand is an atom or a polyatomic entity that connects two or more metal centres in a complex.
Ligand field theory
Applying molecular orbital theory to transition metal complexes, ligand field theory describes the bonding in coordination complexes.
Applying molecular orbital theory to transition metal complexes, ligand field theory describes the bonding in coordination complexes.
Crystal field theory
Though not describing bonding, crystal field theory represents a reasonanbly successful model for describing the electronic structure of transition metal compounds which are coordination complexes.
Though not describing bonding, crystal field theory represents a reasonanbly successful model for describing the electronic structure of transition metal compounds which are coordination complexes.
Trigonal bipyramid molecular geometry
A trigonal bipyramid is a molecular geometry with one atom at the center and 5 more at the corners of a triangular dipyramid.
A trigonal bipyramid is a molecular geometry with one atom at the center and 5 more at the corners of a triangular dipyramid.
Inclusion compound
In host-guest chemistry an inclusion compound is a complex in which one chemical compound the host forms a cavity which molecules of a second compound the guest are located.
In host-guest chemistry an inclusion compound is a complex in which one chemical compound the host forms a cavity which molecules of a second compound the guest are located.
Clathrate compound
A clathrate or cage compound is a chemical substance consisting of a lattice of one type of molecule trapping and containing a second type of molecule.
A clathrate or cage compound is a chemical substance consisting of a lattice of one type of molecule trapping and containing a second type of molecule.
Sandwich compound
A sandwich compound in organometallic chemistry is any chemical compound containing a metal atom oriented between two arene units.
A sandwich compound in organometallic chemistry is any chemical compound containing a metal atom oriented between two arene units.
Octahedral molecular geometry
Octahedral molecular geometry describes a molecular geometry in which 6 ligands are symmetrically arranged around a central atom in an arrangement having the form of an octahedron.
Octahedral molecular geometry describes a molecular geometry in which 6 ligands are symmetrically arranged around a central atom in an arrangement having the form of an octahedron.
Coordination polymer
Coordination polymer is the term given to a metal coordination compound where a ligands bridge between metal centres to create an infinite array of metal centres.
Coordination polymer is the term given to a metal coordination compound where a ligands bridge between metal centres to create an infinite array of metal centres.
Transition metal carbene complex
A transition metal carbene complex in organometallic chemistry is a compound bearing a formal carbon-metal bond.
A transition metal carbene complex in organometallic chemistry is a compound bearing a formal carbon-metal bond.
Spinel
The spinels are any of a class of minerals which crystallize in the isometric system with an octahedral habit.
The spinels are any of a class of minerals which crystallize in the isometric system with an octahedral habit.
