Question

Lathanoid coordination compuonds rarely exhibit isomerism in solution. Suggest two factors that might cause this phenomenon , explain your reasoning

Answer 1

Complexes are held together by weaker electrostatic forces which are omnidirectional and thus the ligands alone dictate the symmetry and coordination of complexes

2.because of their unique 4f electrons

3.The lack of orbital interactions combined with the lanthanide contraction means that the lanthanides change in size across the series but that their chemistry remains much the same. This allows for easy tuning of the steric environments and examples exist where this has been used to improve the catalytic activity of the complex