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Ch.21 - Transition Elements and Coordination Chemistry
Chapter 21, Problem 21.126b

Give a valence bond description of the bonding in each of the following complexes. Include orbital diagrams for the free metal ion and the metal ion in the complex. Indicate which hybrid orbitals the metal ion uses for bonding, and specify the number of unpaired electrons. 
(b) [NiBr4]2- (tetrahedral) 

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Valence Bond Theory

Valence Bond Theory (VBT) explains how atoms bond by overlapping their atomic orbitals to form covalent bonds. In this theory, the strength of the bond is determined by the extent of overlap between the orbitals. For transition metals, VBT also considers hybridization, where atomic orbitals mix to form new hybrid orbitals that can accommodate bonding with ligands.
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Hybridization

Hybridization is the process of combining atomic orbitals to create new hybrid orbitals that are suitable for bonding. In the case of the tetrahedral complex [NiBr4]²⁻, nickel undergoes sp³ hybridization, resulting in four equivalent hybrid orbitals that can form bonds with the four bromide ligands. This concept is crucial for predicting the geometry and bonding properties of coordination complexes.
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Unpaired Electrons and Magnetic Properties

Unpaired electrons in an atom or ion contribute to its magnetic properties. In transition metal complexes, the number of unpaired electrons can indicate whether the complex is paramagnetic (having unpaired electrons) or diamagnetic (all electrons paired). For [NiBr4]²⁻, analyzing the electron configuration of the nickel ion and the resulting hybridization helps determine the number of unpaired electrons and the complex's overall magnetic behavior.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Look at the colors of the isomeric complexes in Figure 21.12, and predict which is the stronger field ligand, nitro (-NO2) of nitrito (-ONO). Explain. 

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Textbook Question

Predict the crystal field energy-level diagram for a linear ML2 complex that has two ligands along the :

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Textbook Question

Predict the crystal field energy-level diagram for a square pyramidal ML5 complex that has two ligands along the axes but only one ligand along the z axis. Your diagram should be intermediate between those for an octahedral ML6 complex and a square planar ML4 complex.

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Textbook Question

For each of the following complexes, describe the bonding using valence bond theory. Include orbital diagrams for the free metal ion and the metal ion in the complex. Indicate which hybrid orbitals the metal ion uses for bonding, and specify the number of unpaired electrons. 

(a) [AuCl4]2 (square planar)

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Textbook Question

For each of the following complexes, describe the bonding using valence bond theory. Include orbital diagrams for the free metal ion and the metal ion in the complex. Indicate which hybrid orbitals the metal ion uses for bonding, and specify the number of unpaired electrons. 

(b) [Ag(NH3)2]+

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Textbook Question

There are two possible [M(OH)4]- complexes of first-series transition metals that have three unpaired electrons.

(a) What are the oxidation state and the identity of M in these complexes?

(b) Using orbital diagrams, give a valence bond description of the bonding in each complex.

(c) Based on common oxidation states of first-series transition metals (Figure 21.6), which [M(OH)4]- complex is more likely to exist? 

<QUESTION REFERENCES FIGURE 21.6>-

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