Colorful Solutions

Chemistry Level 3

Why do coordination complexes form colorful solutions?

Light energy absorbed by electrons is re-emitted at the transition metal cation Light of wavelength equal to E difference between split d-orbitals is removed from transmitted light Electrons in the cation's higher energy (split) d-orbitals are demoted, emitting light with E=hv Delocalized electrons absorb and emit many wavelengths of light