[CuCl4]^2- is green. [Cu(H2 O)6]^2+ is blue. Which absorbs higher-energy photons? Which is predi

step 1 Coordination complexes exist in two geometries. Tetrahedral geometry where four ligands are atta

[CuCl4]^2- is green. [Cu(H2 O)6]^2+ is blue. Which absorbs...

$\left[\mathrm{CuCl}_{4}\right]^{2-}$ is green. $\left[\mathrm{Cu}\left(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\right)_{6}\right]^{2+}$ is blue. Which absorbs higher-energy photons? Which is predicted to have a larger crystal field splitting?

Labs

Want to see this concept in action?

NEW

Explore this concept interactively to see how it behaves as you change inputs.

View Labs

Key Concepts

Crystal Field Splitting

This concept involves the energy gap (?) created when degenerate d?orbitals of a transition metal ion split in the electric field produced by surrounding ligands. A larger splitting means that electrons require more energy to be promoted, which directly influences the wavelength of the absorbed light in d–d transitions.

Spectrochemical Series

This is an ordering of ligands based on the strength of the crystal field they generate around a metal ion. Stronger field ligands (such as water compared to chloride) produce a larger splitting, thereby requiring higher-energy (shorter wavelength) photons for electronic transitions.

Effect of Coordination Geometry

The geometry of a complex significantly affects the magnitude of crystal field splitting. Typically, octahedral complexes exhibit greater splitting than tetrahedral ones. In this context, the octahedral [Cu(H2O)6]2+ is expected to have a larger crystal field splitting than the tetrahedral [CuCl4]2-, leading it to absorb higher-energy photons.

Transcript

Please give Ace some feedback