View source for Physics:Spin states (d electrons)

'''Spin states''' when describing [[Chemistry:Transition metal|transition metal]] [[Chemistry:Coordination complex|coordination complex]]es refers to the potential spin configurations of the central metal's d electrons. For several oxidation states, metals can adopt '''high-spin''' and '''low-spin''' configurations. The ambiguity only applies to first row metals, because second- and third-row metals are invariably low-spin. These configurations can be understood through the two major models used to describe coordination complexes; [[Physics:Crystal field theory|crystal field theory]] and [[Chemistry:Ligand field theory|ligand field theory]] (a more advanced version based on [[Chemistry:Molecular orbital theory|molecular orbital theory]]).<ref>{{cite book | last = Miessler | first = Gary L. |author2=Donald A. Tarr | year = 1998 | title = Inorganic Chemistry| publisher = Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall | location = Upper Saddle River, New Jersey | isbn = 0-13-841891-8| edition = 2nd }}</ref>
== High-spin vs. low-spin ==
{{main article|Chemistry:Magnetochemistry}}

=== Octahedral complexes ===
[[File:CFT-Low Spin Splitting Diagram-Vector.svg|thumb|right|250px|''' Low-spin''' [Fe(NO<sub>2</sub>)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> crystal field diagram]]

The Δ splitting of the [[Physics:Atomic orbital|''d'' orbitals]] plays an important role in the electron spin state of a coordination complex. Three factors affect  Δ: the period (row in periodic table) of the metal ion, the charge of the metal ion, and the field strength of the complex's ligands as described by the [[Chemistry:Spectrochemical series|spectrochemical series]]. Only octahedral  complexes of first row transition metals adopt high-spin states.

In order for low spin splitting to occur, the energy cost of placing an electron into an already singly occupied orbital must be less than the cost of placing the additional electron into an e<sub>''g''</sub> orbital at an energy cost of Δ. If the energy required to pair two electrons is greater than the energy cost of placing an electron in an e<sub>''g''</sub>, Δ, high spin splitting occurs.

If the separation between the orbitals is large, then the lower energy orbitals are completely filled before population of the higher orbitals according to the [[Physics:Aufbau principle|Aufbau principle]]. Complexes such as this are called "low-spin" since filling an orbital matches electrons and reduces the total electron spin.  If the separation between the orbitals is small enough then it is easier to put electrons into the higher energy orbitals than it is to put two into the same low-energy orbital, because of the repulsion resulting from matching two electrons in the same orbital.  So, one electron is put into each of the five ''d'' orbitals before any pairing occurs in accord with Hund's rule resulting in what is known as a "high-spin" complex.  Complexes such as this are called "high-spin" since populating the upper orbital avoids matches between electrons with opposite spin.

[[File:CFT-High Spin Splitting Diagram-Vector.svg|thumb|right|250px|'''High-spin''' [FeBr<sub>6</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> crystal field diagram]]

The charge of the metal center plays a role in the ligand field and the Δ splitting. The higher the oxidation state of the metal, the stronger the ligand field that is created. In the event that there are two metals with the same d electron configuration, the one with the higher oxidation state is more likely to be low spin than the one with the lower oxidation state; for example, Fe<sup>2+</sup> and Co<sup>3+</sup> are both d<sup>6</sup>; however, the higher charge of Co<sup>3+</sup> creates a stronger ligand field than Fe<sup>2+</sup>. All other things being equal, Fe<sup>2+</sup> is more likely to be high spin than Co<sup>3+</sup>.

Ligands also affect the magnitude of Δ splitting of the [[Physics:Atomic orbital|''d'' orbitals]] according to their field strength as described by the [[Chemistry:Spectrochemical series|spectrochemical series]]. Strong-field ligands, such as CN<sup>−</sup> and CO, increase the Δ splitting and are more likely to be low-spin. Weak-field ligands, such as I<sup>−</sup> and Br<sup>−</sup> cause a smaller Δ splitting and are more likely to be high-spin.

Some octahedral complexes exhibit [[Chemistry:Spin crossover|spin crossover]], where the high and low spin states exist is dynamic equilibrium.
[[File:Fe(picNH2)3.png|thumb|right|400 px|Light-induced spin-crossover of [Fe(pyCH<sub>2</sub>NH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>2+</sup>, which switches from high and low-spin.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1016/S0010-8545(01)00381-2|title=Photoswitchable Coordination Compounds|journal=Coordination Chemistry Reviews|volume=219-221|pages=839–879|year=2001|last1=Gütlich|first1=P.}}</ref>]]

=== Tetrahedral complexes ===
[[File:Fe(4-norbornyl)4.svg|thumb|194px|Fe(4-norbornyl)<sub>4</sub> is a rare example of a low-spin tetrahedral complex.]]
The Δ splitting energy for tetrahedral metal complexes (four ligands), Δ<sub>tet</sub> is smaller than that for an octahedral complex. Consequently, tetrahedral complexes are almost always high spin<ref>{{Cite book|title=Chemical Principles|last=Zumdahl|first=Steven|publisher=Cengage Learning, Inc|isbn=978-0538734561|chapter=19.6 Transition Metals and Coordination Chemistry: The Crystal Field Model|year=2009}}</ref>  Examples of low spin tetrahedral complexes include Fe(2-norbornyl)<sub>4</sub>,<ref name=ten>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/ja00762a056|title=Transition Metal Bicyclo&#91;2.2.1&#93;hept-1-yls|year=1972|last1=Bower|first1=Barton K.|last2=Tennent|first2=Howard G.|journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society|volume=94|issue=7|pages=2512–2514}}</ref> [Co(4-norbornyl)<sub>4</sub>]<sup>+</sup>, and the nitrosyl complex Cr(NO)((N(tms)<sub>2</sub>)<sub>3</sub>.

=== Square planar complexes ===
Many d<sup>8</sup> complexes of the first row metals exist in tetrahedral or square planar geometry.  In some cases these geometries exist in measurable equilibria. For example, [[Chemistry:Dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)nickel(II)|dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)nickel(II)]] has been crystallized in both tetrahedral and square planar geometries.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Batsanov | first1 = Andrei S. | last2 = Howard | first2 = Judith A. K. | year = 2001 | title = ''trans''-Dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)nickel(II) Bis(dichloromethane) Solvate: Redetermination at 120 K | journal = Acta Crystallogr E | volume = 57 | pages = 308–309 | doi = 10.1107/S1600536801008741 | s2cid = 97381117 }}</ref>

==Ligand field theory vs crystal field theory==
In terms of d-orbital splitting, [[Chemistry:Ligand field theory|ligand field theory]] (LFT) and [[Physics:Crystal field theory|crystal field theory]] (CFT) give similar results. CFT is an older, simpler model that treats ligands as point charges. LFT is more chemical, emphasizes covalent bonding and accommodates pi-bonding explicitly.

== High-spin and low-spin systems ==

In the case of octahedral complexes, the question of high spin vs low spin first arises for d<sup>4</sup>, since it has more than the 3 electrons to fill the non-bonding d orbitals according to ligand field theory or the stabilized d orbitals according to crystal field splitting.  

All complexes of second and third row metals are low-spin.

;d<sup>4</sup>: 
:Octahedral high-spin: 4 unpaired electrons, [[Physics:Paramagnetic|paramagnetic]], substitutionally labile. Includes Cr<sup>2+</sup> (many complexes assigned as Cr(II) are however Cr(III) with reduced ligands<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/ic300882r|title=Scrutinizing Low-Spin Cr(II) Complexes|year=2012|last1=Scarborough|first1=Christopher C.|last2=Sproules|first2=Stephen|last3=Doonan|first3=Christian J.|last4=Hagen|first4=Karl S.|last5=Weyhermüller|first5=Thomas|last6=Wieghardt|first6=Karl|journal=Inorganic Chemistry|volume=51|issue=12|pages=6969–6982|pmid=22676275}}</ref>), Mn<sup>3+</sup>.
:Octahedral low-spin: 2 unpaired electrons, [[Physics:Paramagnetic|paramagnetic]], substitutionally inert. Includes Cr<sup>2+</sup>, Mn<sup>3+</sup>.

;d<sup>5</sup>: 
:Octahedral high-spin: 5 unpaired electrons, [[Physics:Paramagnetic|paramagnetic]], substitutionally labile. Includes Fe<sup>3+</sup>, Mn<sup>2+</sup>. Example: [[Chemistry:Tris(acetylacetonato)iron(III)|Tris(acetylacetonato)iron(III)]].
:Octahedral low-spin: 1 unpaired electron, [[Physics:Paramagnetic|paramagnetic]], substitutionally inert. Includes Fe<sup>3+</sup>.  Example: [[Chemistry:Ferricyanide|[Fe(CN)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>3−</sup>]].

;d<sup>6</sup>: 
:Octahedral high-spin: 4 unpaired electrons, [[Physics:Paramagnetic|paramagnetic]], substitutionally labile. Includes Fe<sup>2+</sup>, Co<sup>3+</sup>.  Examples: [Fe(H<sub>2</sub>O)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>2+</sup>, [CoF<sub>6</sub>]<sup>3−</sup>.
:Octahedral low-spin: no unpaired electrons, diamagnetic, substitutionally inert. Includes Fe<sup>2+</sup>, Co<sup>3+</sup>, Ni<sup>4+</sup>. Example: [[Chemistry:Hexamminecobalt(III) chloride|[Co(NH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>3+</sup>]].

;d<sup>7</sup>:
:Octahedral high-spin: 3 unpaired electrons, [[Physics:Paramagnetic|paramagnetic]], substitutionally labile. Includes Co<sup>2+</sup>, Ni<sup>3+</sup>.
:Octahedral low-spin:1 unpaired electron, [[Physics:Paramagnetic|paramagnetic]], substitutionally labile. Includes Co<sup>2+</sup>, Ni<sup>3+</sup>. Example: [Co(NH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>2+</sup>.

;d<sup>8</sup>:Octahedral high-spin: 2 unpaired electrons, [[Physics:Paramagnetic|paramagnetic]], substitutionally labile. Includes Ni<sup>2+</sup>. Example: [[Chemistry:Hexaamminenickel chloride|[Ni(NH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>2+</sup>]].
:Tetrahedral high-spin: 2 unpaired electrons, [[Physics:Paramagnetic|paramagnetic]], substitutionally labile. Includes Ni<sup>2+</sup>. Example: [[Chemistry:Tetrachloronickelate|[NiCl<sub>4</sub>]<sup>2-</sup>]].
:Square planar low-spin: no unpaired electrons, diamagnetic, substitutionally inert. Includes Ni<sup>2+</sup>. Example: [[Chemistry:Cyanonickelate|[Ni(CN)<sub>4</sub>]<sup>2−</sup>]].

===Ionic radii===
The spin state of the complex affects an atom's [[Chemistry:Ionic radius|ionic radius]]. For a given d-electron count, high-spin complexes are larger.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Revised effective ionic radii and systematic studies of interatomic distances in halides and chalcogenides|author=Shannon R.D.|journal=Acta Crystallographica|volume=A32|page=751-767|year=1976|issue=5 |doi=10.1107/S0567739476001551}}</ref>

;d<sup>4</sup>
:Octahedral high spin: Cr<sup>2+</sup>, 64.5 [[Picometre|pm]].
:Octahedral low spin: Mn<sup>3+</sup>, 58 pm.

;d<sup>5</sup>:
:Octahedral high spin: Fe<sup>3+</sup>, the ionic radius is 64.5 pm.
:Octahedral low spin: Fe<sup>3+</sup>, the ionic radius is 55 pm.

;d<sup>6</sup>
:Octahedral high spin:  Fe<sup>2+</sup>, the ionic radius is 78 pm, Co<sup>3+</sup> ionic radius 61 pm.
:Octahedral low spin: Includes Fe<sup>2+</sup> ionic radius 62 pm, Co<sup>3+</sup> ionic radius 54.5 pm, Ni<sup>4+</sup> ionic radius 48 pm.

;d<sup>7</sup>
:Octahedral high spin: Co<sup>2+</sup> ionic radius 74.5 pm, Ni<sup>3+</sup> ionic radius 60 pm.
:Octahedral low spin: Co<sup>2+</sup> ionic radius 65 pm, Ni<sup>3+</sup>ionic radius 56 pm.

;d<sup>8</sup>
:Octahedral high spin: Ni<sup>2+</sup> ionic radius 69 pm.
:Square planar low-spin: Ni<sup>2+</sup> ionic radius 49 pm.

==Ligand exchange rates==
Generally, the rates of ligand dissociation from low spin complexes are lower than dissociation rates from high spin complexes. In the case of octahedral complexes, electrons in the e<sub>g</sub> levels are anti-bonding with respect to the metal-ligand bonds.  Famous "exchange inert" complexes are octahedral complexes of d<sup>3</sup> and low-spin d<sup>6</sup> metal ions, illustrated respectfully by Cr<sup>3+</sup> and Co<sup>3+</sup>.<ref>{{cite book |doi=10.1002/bbpc.19920960429|author=R. G. Wilkins|title=Kinetics and Mechanism of Reactions of Transition Metal Complexes, 2nd Thoroughly Revised Edition|publisher=VCH|location=Weinheim|year=1991|isbn=3-527-28389-7}}</ref>

== References ==
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[[Category:Coordination chemistry]]
[[Category:Electron states]]

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