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Frequently Asked Question
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Is colour in a complex due to Laporte allowed and spin allowed?
Accepted Answer
Yes, color in a complex is often due to Laporte and spin allowed transitions.
Laporte Rule: States that transitions between orbitals of the same parity (both s, both p, etc.) are forbidden. In transition metal complexes, d-d transitions (which are responsible for many colors) are Laporte forbidden because d orbitals have the same parity. However, distortions in the complex can break this rule and allow for color.
Spin Allowed Transitions: Involve changes in spin multiplicity (e.g., a spin singlet to a spin triplet). These transitions are generally more intense than spin-forbidden transitions.
In summary, for a transition to be strongly colored, it needs to be both Laporte allowed and spin allowed. However, deviations from these rules can still lead to some degree of color.
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