Saturday, August 10, 2019

Why CO is a poor Lewis base towards H + but it is an excellent Lewis base towards Ni and definition of synergic effect


Why CO is a poor Lewis base towards H + but it is an excellent Lewis base towards Ni ? 

CO is a neutral polar molecule .  According to M.O theory  it’s bond order is 3 , of the two π bond one is dative  π  type. The bonding of CO molecule are as follows, 


Due to this dative pi bond C-atom in CO molecule becomes slightly negatively charged. 

The polarity of the molecule acts in opposite direction to what is expected. As a result  polarity is very low and also the dipole moment.

 Both C and O atom possess lone pair of electrons. Again the molecule possesses vacant anti bonding π*-orbitals.  

Lone pair of electrons on  C –atom is in higher energy  level than that in O-atom , thus the molecule can behave as a Lewis base during which it can donate the lone pair on carbon atom .

But due to unexpectedly low polarity basic is very feeble and it can not form adduct with strong Lewis acid  like  H + , BF3 etc.  

Although CO has a poor σ donor ability but it has a strong  π accepting property due to presence of the above mentioned vacant π* molecular orbital, in which it can easily receive back donated electron from suitable filled π orbital of metal atom forming a stable π bond.

Such donation and back donation mutually reinforce each other  and makes the so called weak base. CO a strong  π acid ligand toward a lower  oxidation state ( 0,-1,-2 ) . This is known as synergic effect.

Thus although CO is a poor Lewis  base towards H + , since there no scope of back donation  but it is an excellent Lewis base towards  Ni(0) .   


What do you mean by synergic effect ?

When two or more elements or substances  ( metal and ligand ) are combined together in the purpose of additional  π bond formation, they produces a greater effect than the sum of the individual effect , which is known as synergic effect.

For example :  A  carbonyl group donates it’s lone pair of electrons to an empty metal  d orbital to form an π- back bonding.
  

Significance of synergic effect :

This synergic effect strengthens the metal carbonyl interaction or metal –carbonyl bond order. It also weakens the CO triple bond , that is, CO bond order.

Summary: 

What do you mean by synergic effect ?
What is significance of synergic effect ?
Why CO is a poor Lewis base towards H + but it is an excellent Lewis base towards Ni ?  

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