Answer to Question #84781 in Inorganic Chemistry for Vikramaditya

Question

why lanthanide ions do not form complexes with pi bonding ligands

Answer 1

In lanthanides, the 4f orbitals are well shielded by the larger 5d and 6s orbitals and are deep inside the atom. So f orbitals do not participate in any bonding and complex formation is similar to that of transition metals. However in the actinides, the 5f electrons can form complexes with certain pi bonding.

Solution:

In lanthanides, the 4f orbitals are well shielded by the larger 5d and 6s orbitals and are deep inside the atom. So f orbitals do not participate in any bonding and complex formation is similar to that of transition metals. However in the actinides, the 5f electrons can form complexes with certain pi bonding.