A Valence Bond Approach to Bonding in Complexes

Before beginning the discussion of bonding in complexes, their magnetic properties will be considered because the magnetic character of a complex tells us about how the electrons are 

For a single unpaired electron, the magnetic moment due to its spin is ps = 1.73 Bohr magneton (BM). The orbital motion may also contribute to the magnetic moment, and for a single electron the total magnetic moment is represented in terms of both the spin and orbital contributions by the equation 

A set of five d orbitals. The signs correspond to the mathematical signs of the wave functions with reference to the coordinates. 

Magnetic moments provide the most direct way to determine the number of unpaired electrons in a metal ion. When the number of unpaired electrons is known, it is possible to use that information to deduce the type of hybrid orbitals that are used by the metal ion in bonding. 

Atomic Orbitals Hybrid Type Number of Hybrids Orientation 

---