Group Theory for Chemists, 2nd Edition

9

Octahedral Complexes

Complexes in which the central atom has a coordination number of six are very commonly encountered for the majority of elements in the Periodic Table. These complexes are almost invariably octahedral in shape, the trigonal prism being a rare alternative, e.g. WMe₆.

In this chapter we will apply the basic techniques developed in preceding chapters to rationalise some of the key features of octahedral complexes, i.e. the role of d- orbitals in the bonding of main group element compounds and the electronic structure of transition metal complexes. The introduction of transition elements into our bonding problems will require a knowledge of how group theory deals with the symmetry of d-orbitals and this is addressed in Section ...