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The color of a complex compound is often explained by the Laporte Selection Rule in coordination chemistry. This rule states that electronic transitions within a complex are forbidden if the transition involves a change in parity (symmetry).
Allowed Transitions: Transitions between orbitals of different parity (e.g., from a
g
to a
u
orbital) are allowed and can result in visible light absorption. This gives the complex color.
Forbidden Transitions: Transitions between orbitals of the same parity (e.g., from a
g
to a
g
orbital) are forbidden according to the Laporte Rule. However, these transitions can still occur, but they are much weaker and less likely.
Therefore, the color in a complex compound is often explained by the Laporte rule, though other factors can contribute.