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Chemistry  /  Chem 2412  ·  Atom · ~20 seconds

Complex Color from d-d Electron Transitions

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A complex is colored when an electron jumps between d orbitals by absorbing visible light, and the color seen is complementary to the light absorbed.

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A complex absorbing mostly red light appears green, its complementary color, as in many chromium(III) complexes.

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A complex with an empty or filled d subshell, like Sc3+ or Zn2+, has no d-d transition and stays colorless.