Octahedral
Definition and meaning of Octahedral in chemistry.
Octahedral refers to a molecular geometry in which a central atom is symmetrically surrounded by six substituent atoms or chemical ligands located at the vertices of an octahedron. This highly symmetric structural arrangement is extremely common in transition metal coordination complexes.
In more detail
In an ideal octahedral molecule, the chemical bond angles between any adjacent ligands are all exactly 90 degrees, and the angles between any opposite ligands are precisely 180 degrees. This specific geometry typically corresponds to a steric number of six and sp3d2 or d2sp3 hybridization in the central atomic center. The high symmetry of the octahedral shape plays a very significant role in determining the optical, chemical, and magnetic properties of various coordination compounds.
Key facts
| Field | Inorganic Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Example Formula | SF6 |
| Coordination Number | 6 |
| Bond Angles | 90 degrees and 180 degrees |
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) exhibits a perfect octahedral molecular geometry evenly distributed around the central sulfur atom.
Frequently asked questions
Can octahedral complexes have isomers?
Yes, if the ligands are different, an octahedral complex can exhibit various forms of stereoisomerism, such as cis-trans and optical isomerism.