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Transition metal imido complex

Transition metal imido complex is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Transition metal imido complex rather than just read about it. In short: In coordination chemistry and organometallic chemistry, transition metal imido complexes is a coordination compound containing an imido ligand. Imido ligands can be terminal or bridging ligands.

Transition metal imido complex — main illustration
Transition metal imido complex — illustration

Key takeaways

  • Transition metal imido complex belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Transition metal imido complex to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Transition metal imido complex from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In coordination chemistry and organometallic chemistry, transition metal imido complexes is a coordination compound containing an imido ligand. Imido ligands can be terminal or bridging ligands. The parent imido ligand has the formula NH, but most imido ligands have alkyl or aryl groups in place of H. The imido ligand is generally viewed as a dianion, akin to oxide.

Structural classes

Complexes with terminal imido ligands In some terminal imido complexes, the M=N−C angle is 180° but often the angle is decidedly bent. Complexes of the type M=NH are assumed to be intermediates in nitrogen fixation by synthetic catalysts.

Complexes with bridging imido ligands Imido ligands are observed as doubly and, less often, triply bridging ligands.

Synthesis

From metal oxo complexes Commonly metal-imido complexes are generated from metal oxo complexes. They arise by condensation of amines and metal oxides and metal halides:

LnMO + H2NR → LnMNR + H2O This approach is illustrated by the conversion of MoO2Cl2 to the diimido derivative MoCl2(NAr)2(dimethoxyethane), precursors to the Schrock carbenes of the type Mo(OR)2(NAr)(CH-t-Bu).

LnMCl2 + 3 H2NR → LnMNR + 2 RNH3Cl Aryl isocyanates react with metal oxides concomitant with decarboxylation:

LnMO + O=C=NR → LnMNR + CO2

Alternative routes Some are generated from the reaction of low-valence metal complexes with azides:

LnM + N3R → LnMNR + N2 A few imido complexes have been generated by the alkylation of metal nitride complexes:

LnMN− + RX → LnMNR + X−

Utility Metal imido complexes are mainly of academic interest. They are however assumed to be intermediates in ammoxidation catalysis, in the Sharpless oxyamination, and in nitrogen fixation.

In nitrogen fixation A molybdenum imido complex appears in a common nitrogen fixation cycle:

Mo•N2 → Mo-N=N− → Mo-N=NH (diazenido) → Mo-N=NH2+ → Mo=N-NH2 (hydrazido) → Mo=N-NH3+ (hydrazidium) → Mo≡N (nitrido) + NH3 → Mo≡NH+ → Mo=NH (imido) → Mo=NH2+ → Mo-NH2 (amido) → Mo-NH3+ → Mo•NH3 (ammine); with the oxidation state of molybdenum varying to accommodate the number bonds from nitrogen.

References

Illustrations

Transition metal imido complex: Structure of a representative imido complex (py = pyridine, CMe3 = tert-butyl)[1]
Structure of a representative imido complex (py = pyridine, CMe3 = tert-butyl)[1]
Transition metal imido complex: Core of W(NAr)2(N(H)Ar)2 (Ar = C6H3-2,6-iPr2).[2]
Core of W(NAr)2(N(H)Ar)2 (Ar = C6H3-2,6-iPr2).[2]
Transition metal imido complex: Typical Schrock-style olefin metathesis catalyst features imides as spectator ligands.
Typical Schrock-style olefin metathesis catalyst features imides as spectator ligands.
Transition metal imido complex: Structure of OsO3(N-t-Bu) (multiple bonds are not drawn explicitly). Selected distances: Os-N, 1.689; Os-O, 1.678 Å.[5]
Structure of OsO3(N-t-Bu) (multiple bonds are not drawn explicitly). Selected distances: Os-N, 1.689; Os-O, 1.678 Å.[5]

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Transition metal imido complex

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Transition metal imido complex claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Transition metal imido complex before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Transition metal imido complex ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Transition metal imido complex

In research
Transition metal imido complex appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Transition metal imido complex in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Transition metal imido complex is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Coordination complexes, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Transition metal imido complex outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
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How to study Transition metal imido complex in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Transition metal imido complex means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Transition metal imido complex out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Transition metal imido complex in simple terms?

In coordination chemistry and organometallic chemistry, transition metal imido complexes is a coordination compound containing an imido ligand. Imido ligands can be terminal or bridging ligands.

Why does Transition metal imido complex matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Transition metal imido complex?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Transition metal imido complex.

Tags

  • Coordination complexes

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