Chemistry / Unit 12 Chem 2412 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Complex Color from d-d Electron Transitions
Captions available
The idea
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.
In practice
A complex absorbing mostly red light appears green, its complementary color, as in many chromium(III) complexes.
Where people slip
A complex with an empty or filled d subshell, like Sc3+ or Zn2+, has no d-d transition and stays colorless.
Your place on the trail
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