Question
Chemistry Question on Coordination Compounds
Discuss the nature of bonding in metal carbonyls
Answer
The metal-carbon bonds in metal carbonyls have both A~Æ’ and A~a^‚¬characters. A A~Æ’ bond is formed when the carbonyl carbon donates a lone pair of electrons to the vacant orbital of the metal. A A~a^‚¬ bond is formed by the donation of a pair of electrons from the filled metal d orbital into the vacant anti-bonding A~a^‚¬∗ orbital (also known as back bonding of the carbonyl group). The A~Æ’ bond strengthens the A~a^‚¬ bond and vice-versa. Thus, a synergic effect is created due to this metal-ligand bonding. This synergic effect strengthens the bond between CO and the metal.
