Question

Discuss the nature of bonding in metal carbonyls.

Answer 1

The metal-carbon bonds inmetal carbonyls have both σ and π characters. A σ bond is formed when the carbonyl carbon donates a lone pair of electrons to the vacant orbital of the metal. ... Thus, a synergic effect is created due to this metal-ligandbonding.

Answer 2

Answer:

thus the bonding in metal carbonyl is described by the following steps:

Explanation:

1. there is a donation of lone pair of electrons of carbon (Co) into the suitable empty orbital of the metal atom. this is adative overlap and forms a sigma M<- C bond.

2. there is a pi-overlap involving donation of electrons from filled metal d-orbitals into vacant antibonding pi* molecular orbitals of Co. this results into the formation of M-> C pi bond. this is also called back donation or strengthen the bond between Co and the metal.

the bonding in metal carbonyls is shown in fig. I n this figures, the shaded orbital represent filled orbitals.