The Science of Everything Podcast Episode 130: Transition Metal Chemistry
I introduce the unique and diverse chemistry of the transition metal elements, also known as the d-block metals. I begin with an overview of transition metal properties and ores, and then discuss coordination complexes, ligands, denticity, chelation, coordination geometries, isomerism, and the difference between strong and weak field ligands. We then examine how crystal field theory can explain many properties of transition metals, including their unique colouration and magnetic properties. The episode concludes with an overview of organometallic compounds and ligand field theory, including how pi-bonding can explain the difference between strong and weak field ligands.
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