Transition metal complexes and ligand exchange | 16-18 years

A photograph of a conical flask containing blue copper(II) sulfate solution

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Try this lesson plan for 16–18 year olds to support your students to research transition metal complexes, including shape, naming, bonding and ligand exchange.

In this activity, students work in small groups and follow given guidelines to research one of four aspects of transition metal complexes. They then teach others about their topic and are taught in turn by other students about the other three aspects.

Students work to develop their understanding of:

  • What transition metal complexes are.
  • How to name them.
  • What shapes they have.
  • The process of ligand exchange and stability constants.

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