Chapter 21, Problem 14P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The non-charged ruthenium-based transition metal complexes, which have $14$, $16$, and $18$ valence electrons are to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Transition metal complexes are the compounds in which a transition metal is bonded to some atoms or molecules known as ligands. Ligands donate electrons to vacant orbitals in metals to form bonds.

The number of electrons required to complete octet in transition metals is $18$. As along with s and p orbitals, these elements have d orbitals too in their valence shell. So, together the three orbitals can acquire $18$ electrons in the valence shell that is $2$ in s, $6$ in p, and $10$ electrons in d orbitals.

Total valence electrons of a metal in a complex is obtained by the following formula:

Total number of valence electrons of metal in complex = $d^n$ $+$ electrons donated by ligands

Here, $d^n$ is d-electrons of metal in the complex.