6.2: Concept Review Questions Chapter 7

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Concept Review Questions

Section 1

1. What should a good theory be able to do?

2. What should a good bonding theory be able to do?

3. What is the major conceptual difference between valence bond theory of main group compounds with regular covalent bonds vs. coordination compounds with dative bonds?

4. Valence bond theory cannot explain optical properties of molecules. Explain why.

5. Explain the concept of crystal field theory.

6. Explain why the energy of the d_z2 and the d_x2_-y2 orbitals in the octahedral crystal field is higher than that of the d_xz, the d_yz, and the d_xy orbitals.

7. Explain why the the d_z2 and the d_x2_-y2 orbitals have the exactly the same energy in the octahedral crystal field.

8. Explain why the energy of the d_xz, the d_yz, and the d_xy orbitals are decreased by exactly 2/5 Δ_o.

9. Explain why the energy of the d_xz, the d_xy, and the d_yz orbitals are higher than the energy of d_z2, d_x2_-y2 orbitals in the tetrahedral crystal field.

10. Explain why the energies of the d_xz, the d_xy, and the d_yz orbitals are exactly the same in the tetrahedral crystal field.

11. Explain why the tetrahedral crystal field is smaller than the octahedral crystal field (Δ_T= 4/9Δ_O).

12. Which orbital energies increase and which ones decrease when an octahedral crystal field tetragonally distorts (elongated octahedra)? Explain why.

13. Explain why octahedral complexes of d⁹ ions frequently distort tetragonally.

14. Explain the relationships between a tetragonally distorted octahedral crystal field and a square planar crystal field.

15. Explain why crystal field theory can explain why complexes with d⁸ ions are often square planar.

16. Explain how crystal field theory explains high-spin and low-spin complexes.

17. Explain why crystal field theory can make statements about the electronic spectra of complexes.

18. What is meant by the spectrochemical series?

19. What is the relationship between molecular orbital theory and ligand field theory?

20. Describe the steps involved to construct a molecular orbital diagram in ligand field theory?

21. Why can ligand field theory explain the magnetic properties of coordination compounds?

22. Why is ligand field theory able to explain electronic spectra?

23. What are the relationships between crystal field theory and ligand field theory?

24. What is a π-donating ligand and what is a π-accepting ligand?

25. How do π-donating ligands change Δ_O in octahedral complexes? Explain briefly.

26. How do π-accepting ligands change Δ_O in octahedral complexes? Explain briefly.

27. How does ligand field theory explain the spectrochemical series?

28. How does ligand field theory explain that there are no low spin complexes for tetrahedral compounds?

29. What is the strength of π-bonding in tetrahedral complexes vs. octahedral complexes? Explain why.

Dr. Kai Landskron (Lehigh University). If you like this textbook, please consider to make a donation to support the author's research at Lehigh University: Click Here to Donate.