Transition metal nitrile complexes
class of chemical compounds
Transition metal nitrile complexes are coordination compounds containing nitrile ligands. Because nitriles are weakly basic, the nitrile ligands in these complexes are often labile.
Ligand properties
According to the Covalent bond classification method, nitriles are classified as L ligands, i.e., charge-neutral Lewis bases. With respect to HSAB theory, they are classified as soft.
Typical nitrile ligands are acetonitrile, propionitrile, and benzonitrile. The structures of [Ru(NH3)5(NCPh)]n+ have been determined for the 2+ and 3+ oxidation states. Upon oxidation the Ru-NH3 distances contract and the Ru-NCPh distances elongate, consistent with amines serving as pure-sigma donor ligands and nitriles functioning as pi-acceptors.
Synthesis and reactions
Acetonitrile, propionitrile and benzonitrile are also popular solvents. Because nitrile solvents have high dielectric constants, cationic complexes containing a nitrile ligand are often soluble in a solution of that nitrile.
Some complexes can be prepared by dissolving an anhydrous metal salt in the nitrile.
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