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Question:

It's solution is given as:

Now I don't understand which d$\pi$ electrons have been considered here. For example, in $\ce{Fe(CO)_5}$, according to this, number of d$\pi$ electrons would be 4. I cannot see how it is 4. Secondly, is it the right method to compare the bond lengths?

I thought of this in terms of electron density, more is the electron density in the complex, stronger would be the metal ligand bond, hence weaker the carbon-oxygen bond, hence more the C-O bond length. But, since the atoms are different, I don't know if this idea would work in this case.

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  • $\begingroup$ Related: chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/64999/…. There is a good answer to find bond order. $\endgroup$
    – Mathew Mahindaratne
    Commented Mar 28, 2021 at 17:07
  • $\begingroup$ @MathewMahindaratne Thanks for the link, but unfortunately I don't understand MOT in much detail, just the basics. For example, I am only familiar with $\ce{t_{2g}}$ and $\ce{e_g}$ orbitals. I have now got the part how the electron pairs are 4. It is because since CO is a strong field ligand, the configuration of $\ce{Fe}$ would be $\ce{[Ar] 3d^8}$. But still, my question remains, is this a correct method? $\endgroup$
    – V.G
    Commented Mar 28, 2021 at 17:51
  • $\begingroup$ Each $\mathrm{d} \pi$ pair contributed to back bonding with $\ce{C#O}$ carbon so triple bond character get weaken (e.g., $\ce{Fe=C=O}$). That may be the theory behind this calculation. It is a crude method but works. $\endgroup$
    – Mathew Mahindaratne
    Commented Mar 28, 2021 at 20:23
  • $\begingroup$ For the $Fe(CO)_{5}$ part, note that the formula is number of dπ electron $pairs$, hence $0.8$ indicates $4$ pairs of electrons or 8 electrons in total, as seen in the $3d^{8}$ configuration in $Fe$ in the presence of the strong field ligand $CO$. I have the same question in the second part however. $\endgroup$
    – m-Xylene
    Commented Apr 3, 2021 at 15:22
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    $\begingroup$ @Ashish The question was asked in FIITJEE AITS, and this is the solution given by them, so I can't say it is from a verified source. Although it is a good method if we are indeed getting correct answers. $\endgroup$
    – V.G
    Commented Jun 12, 2021 at 7:31

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