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Chemistry  /  Chem 2409  ·  Atom · ~20 seconds

Twin: The Low-Spin Complex

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A low-spin complex forms when splitting is large enough that pairing electrons in a lower orbital costs less than promoting one higher, minimizing unpaired electrons.

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[Fe(CN)6]4−, with cyanide as a strong-field ligand, is low-spin, carrying zero unpaired electrons among six.

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Comparing a complex's spin state to a different metal, not the same metal's weak- versus strong-field alternative, misses what varies here.