A. Organometallic Mechanisms
Oxidation State: The oxidation state of a metal is defined as the charge left
on the metal after all ligands have been removed in their natural, closed-shell
configuration. This is a formalism and not a physical property!
d-Electron Configuration: position in the periodic table minus oxidation state.
18-Electron Rule: In mononuclear, diamagnetic complexes, the total number
of electrons never exceeds 18 (noble gas configuration). The total number of
electrons is equal to the sum of d-electrons plus those contributed by the
ligands.
18 electrons = coordinatively saturated
< 18 electrons = coordinatively unsaturated.
