Tolman’s parameter

Many attempts have been undertaken to define a reliable steric parameter complementary to the electronic parameter. Most often Tolman s parameter 0 (theta) is used. Tolman proposed to measure the steric bulk of a phosphine ligand from CPK models in the following way. From the metal centre, located at a distance of 2.28 A from the phosphorus atom in the appropriate direction, a cone is constructed which embraces all the atoms of the substituents on the phosphorus atom (see Figure 1.6). 

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