Revisiting the Spectrum of Co(CN)₆^3–: The Role of Correlation, Solvation, and Vibronic and Spin–Orbit Couplings

Abstract

In the present work, we revisit the spectrum of the hexacyanocobaltate(III) ion, [Co(CN) 6 ] 3− , which has been considered a prototype complex in the coordination chemistry, with modern quantum chemistry methods. The main features have been describing by revealing the role of different effects, such as vibronic coupling, solvation and spin−orbit coupling. The UV−vis spectrum is composed by two bands ( 1 A 1g → 1 T 1g and 1 A 1g → 1 T 2g ), characterized by singlet−singlet metalcentered transitions, and a more intense third one, characterized by charge transfer transition. There is also a small band shoulder. The first two are symmetry-forbidden transitions in the O h group. Their intensity can only be explained by a vibronic coupling mechanism. For the band shoulder, additional to vibronic coupling, spin−orbit coupling is also necessary, since the transition is characterized as singlet to triplet, 1 A 1g → 3 T 1g .

Trans influence of cyanide on the structural and electronic properties of a series of organocobaltIII(TIM) complexes

“…Alkenyl-bearing complex 1 displays a well-defined transition at 365 nm ( ε ∼ 3500), which is likely due to the peak at 477 nm ( ε ∼ 1300) for [Co(TIM)(C(CH 2 )Ph)Cl]PF 6 . While both peaks are significantly more intense than the lowest energy d–d bands in [Co(CN) 6 ] 3− ( λ = 312 nm; ε ∼ 140), 41 and [Co(TIM)Cl 2 ] + ( λ = 575 nm; ε ∼ 50), 40 they are still primarily d–d transitions with substantial charge-transfer characteristics related to the alkenyl ligand. The considerable blue shift of the peak of 1 compared to that of [Co(TIM)(C(CH 2 )Ph)Cl]PF 6 is clearly attributed to ligand field enhancement via the substitution of Cl − by CN − .…”