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Approximating the $\ce{Fe}$ complex as a square base pyramid ($D_\mathrm{4h}$ symmetry) with 5 $\ce{N}$ ligands, My electron count of the system gives me 16 electrons – 10 from the $2\times 5$ $\ce{N}$ electron pairs and 6 from the iron(II). Filling the molecular orbitals of the valence shells, I ended up with $\ce{4 e-}$ in the d non-bonding orbitals – for there to be 6 in the d orbitals, I am under the impression that there must be 18 electrons, as suggested by the 18 electron rule (which I am aware is a loose guideline).

Looking at depictions of the orbital diagram however, such as this one:

Depiction ofthe electronic structure of the iron(II)-heme complex

and this one:

Change in the electronic structure upon coordination of oxygen to iron(II)-heme

I've seen that there are consistently 6 electrons in these orbitals — which would be consistent with iron(0) but not iron(II) as I understand it. Can anyone help me make sense of this situation?

If I'm being a little unclear about my approximation, just look at the $\ce{Fe}$ molecular orbitals on the lefthand side of the images and subtract 2 electrons

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I've seen that there are consistently 6 electrons in these orbitals — which would be consistent with iron(0) but not iron(II) as I understand it.

Iron is in the 8th group (or group VIIIb in older terminology). Thus, in its ground state it has eight electrons; two of which are in the 4s orbital. However, practically always once you oxidise a transition metal and enter coordination chemistry, the orbital energies shift relatively to each other and it becomes more stable to have all the energies in the d-orbitals. Thus, the typical configuration for iron(II) is not $[\ce{Ar}]\,\mathrm{3d^4\,4s^2}$ but $[\ce{Ar}]\,\mathrm{3d^6\,4s^0}$.

I am under the impression that there must be 18 electrons, as suggested by the 18 electron rule (which I am aware is a loose guideline).

I think, you’re not aware of the looseness of the 18-electron-rule guideline. Most of the time it does nothing except for stating a maximum that can occur. However, there are still many complexes that violate it; e.g. anything octahedral with zinc(II) (22 electrons), anything with copper(II) (21), octahedral nickel(II) (20) etc. It is much more valuable when going to neutral carbonyl complexes; e.g. iron typically forms pentacarbonyliron $\ce{[Fe(CO)5]}$ due to the 18 electron rule. But in the context of standard cationic complexes. you can safely ignore it.

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  • $\begingroup$ Where are the 2 electrons coming from to fill the d orbitals since 2 have been lost in the transition form iron(0) to iron(II)? Also, I don't mean that there must be 18 electrons in the sense that this is needed from a stability standpoint but rather that for there to be 6 electrons in the d orbitals is indicative of 18 electrons in the overall system. I guess my question is, considering the orbital diagram for D4h, it seems as though with 16 electrons we should only observe 4 electrons in these d orbitals, but these diagrams depict 6. $\endgroup$
    – jovialplutonium
    Commented Dec 11, 2016 at 16:06
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    $\begingroup$ Regarding the first part of your answer, I wrote a little bit on it before: In crystal field theory, why do all the metal electrons enter the d orbitals and not the s orbital? $\endgroup$
    – orthocresol
    Commented Dec 11, 2016 at 16:08
  • $\begingroup$ @jovialplutonium Huh? Iron(0) has eight electrons in the ground state ($[\ce{Ar}]\,\mathrm{3d^6\,4s^2}$. Two are lost which we can assume to be the s-electrons leaving the d-electrons. If the coordination sphere is pentacoordinate, there will only be 16 electrons in total. $\endgroup$
    – Jan
    Commented Dec 11, 2016 at 16:12
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    $\begingroup$ @jovialplutonium You need to remember to remove one ligand-centred orbital (i.e. one of the lower ones) since you only have a pentacoordinated metal centre. Thus, for pentacoordinate 16-electron systems, the central metal has six electrons in its $\mathrm{t_{2g}}$ orbitals. $\endgroup$
    – Jan
    Commented Dec 11, 2016 at 16:23
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    $\begingroup$ @jovialplutonium Yes, exactly that. If you have five ligands, you have five lower-energy ligand-based orbitals, for 10 electrons. The remaining six belong to iron. $\endgroup$
    – orthocresol
    Commented Dec 11, 2016 at 16:26

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