CHM603:Semester 2, 2020

Assignment 3

Total marks: 20 Weighting: 2.5 marks towards my

coursework

Name: Inia Naicavacava

Id: 2019003003
Program: B.Ed (Bio/Chem)
In about 500 words, compare and contrast the following bonding theories:
• Molecular Orbital theory.
• Valence Orbital Theory
• Crystal Field Theory.
Introduction:
Coordination compounds have some very interesting geometries and many of this cant
be explained using VSPER Theory or Valence Bond theory because this theories are
only used to explain normal covalent bondssince the tight bonding involved is more
complex in this geometries than mere overlapping of hybridised orbitals. Therefore, we
have to use another model known as “Crystal Field Theory”. Crystal field theory is
based on the fact that the metal ion and ligands can be treated as the point charges and
spatial arrangements of these point charges will affect the energy of the d-orbital for the
central metal atom. These are the orbitals that ligands donate electron denisty into to
form the bonds. These model, although incomplete just like VSEPR theory or VBT does
wonderfully explained things like the colors, magnetic behaviours and structure that can
be observed with coordination compounds.

To begin with, “Valence bond theory” and “Molecular orbital Theory” are more
similar compared to crystall field theory. They are both involved in the distribution of
electrons therfore, whether it is atomic or molecular they cannot have more than one
electron. Both of the theories involves the sharing of electrons by the nuclei. According
to both of the theories, the enrgy of overlapping orbitals must be comparable and there
must be similarities in their symmetry. For valence bond theory, the bonds are localised
to two atoms but not the molecule whereas for Molecular orbital, the bonds are
localised to two atoms as well as molecule.
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Difference:
Valence Bond Theory explains the formation of a covalent bond via hybridisation of
atomic orbitals and the mixing of the orbitals whereas Crystal field theory is a model
that is designed to explain the breaking of degeneracies of electron orbitals due to static
electric field produced by a surrounding anion or anions and the spliting of orbitals.
Furthermore, in Valence bond theory, a covalent bond is formed via sharing of electrons
between atoms. This atoms share elelctrons to fill their electron configuration (otherwise
they are unstable). The electrons are shared by mixing or overlapping of atomic orbitals
but several conditions needs to filled before overlapping or mixing. There are 2 types of
covalent bonds that are formed which is Pi (∏) and sigma (∂ bonds). This bond are
formed from the overlap of atomic orbitals. The overlap of P orbitals causes the
formation of pi bonds , the overlap of s orbitals causes the formation of Sigma bonds
(sp Hybrid Orbital) and the overlapping of s and p atomic orbitals causes the formation
of Hybrid orbitals.
There are three major hybrid orbitals that can be formed and this orbitals are ,sp Hybrid
Orbital – Formed via hybridization of one s and one p orbital, sp2 Hybrid Orbital –
Formed via hybridization of one s and two p orbitals and sp3 Hybrid Orbital – Formed
via hybridization of one s and three p orbitals.