homoleptic

Homoleptic refers to a type of coordination complex where all the ligands are identical. In contrast, a heteroleptic complex contains ligands of different types. The term is derived from the Greek words "homo" meaning "same" and "leptos" meaning "thin" or "slender," which in this context implies uniformity of the ligands.

For example, in the coordination complex bis(benzene)chromium, Cr(C6H6)2, both ligands are benzene rings, making it a homoleptic complex. If the complex were, for instance, potassium hexacyanoferrate(II), K4[Fe(CN)6], it would be homoleptic because all six ligands are cyanide ions (CN-).

The synthesis and study of homoleptic complexes are important in coordination chemistry. The symmetry of homoleptic complexes can lead to specific spectroscopic and structural properties. Understanding the electronic and steric effects of the ligands in homoleptic compounds helps in predicting the reactivity and stability of related heteroleptic complexes. While homoleptic complexes offer a simplified system for studying ligand behavior, many real-world applications involve heteroleptic complexes due to the ability to tune properties by incorporating different types of ligands. The concept of homoleptic versus heteroleptic is a fundamental classification in the study of coordination compounds.