Lone pair 1970-01-01
A lone pair refers to a pair of valence electrons that are not shared with another atom and remain localized on a single atom. These electrons are often found in the outermost shell of an atom and can influence the atom's chemical behavior, including bond angles and molecular geometry. Lone pairs are important in the formation of molecular shapes, as they can repel other electron pairs (both bonding and lone pairs) according to the principles of VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory.
Low-barrier hydrogen bond 1970-01-01
A low-barrier hydrogen bond (LBHB) is a type of hydrogen bond that has a shorter distance and a lower energy barrier compared to typical hydrogen bonds. In a typical hydrogen bond, the interaction between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom (like oxygen or nitrogen) results in a relatively stable bond, but the energy barrier for forming or breaking such bonds is usually higher. In contrast, LBHBs exhibit characteristics that allow them to form more easily and break more readily.
Mesomeric effect 1970-01-01
The mesomeric effect, also known as resonance effect, refers to the delocalization of electrons within a molecule that occurs through the overlap of p-orbitals. This effect contributes to the stability and reactivity of molecules by allowing the distribution of electron density across multiple atoms rather than being localized between two specific atoms.
Metallic bonding 1970-01-01
Metallic bonding is a type of chemical bonding that occurs between metal atoms. In this bond, electrons are not shared or transferred between individual atoms as seen in covalent or ionic bonds. Instead, metallic bonding involves a "sea of electrons" that are free to move around in a lattice of positive metal ions.
Metallophilic interaction 1970-01-01
Metallophilic interactions refer to attractive interactions that occur between metal ions or metal-containing species. These interactions can happen due to various factors, including electron sharing, dipole-dipole interactions, and the spatial arrangement of metal centers. Metallophilic interactions are often studied in the context of coordination chemistry, organometallic chemistry, and materials science.
Metal–ligand multiple bond 1970-01-01
Metal–ligand multiple bonds refer to the formation of multiple bonds between a metal center (often a transition metal) and a ligand, which is a molecule or ion that can donate at least one pair of electrons to the metal. The most common types of multiple bonds in coordination chemistry are double and even triple bonds, which can occur in specific metal-ligand complexes. ### 1.
Molecular orbital diagram 1970-01-01
A molecular orbital (MO) diagram is a graphical representation of the molecular orbitals in a molecule. It is used to visualize how atomic orbitals combine to form molecular orbitals when atoms come together to form molecules. The key aspects of molecular orbital diagrams include: 1. **Atomic Orbitals**: The starting point for constructing an MO diagram involves identifying the atomic orbitals of the individual atoms that will combine. Common atomic orbitals include s, p, d, and f orbitals.
Molecular orbital theory 1970-01-01
Molecular Orbital (MO) Theory is a fundamental theoretical framework in chemistry that describes the electronic structure of molecules by considering the combination of atomic orbitals to form molecular orbitals. Unlike Valence Bond (VB) Theory, which emphasizes localized bonds between pairs of atoms, MO Theory provides a more delocalized view of electrons in a molecule.
Morse potential 1970-01-01
The Morse potential is a mathematical model used to describe the interaction energy between a pair of atoms in a diatomic molecule as a function of their separation distance. It is particularly useful for modeling the behavior of molecular vibrations and is more accurate for describing the potential energy characteristics of bonded systems compared to the simpler harmonic oscillator model.
Multi-state modeling of biomolecules 1970-01-01
Multi-state modeling of biomolecules is a computational approach used to study the dynamic behavior and structural transitions of biomolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and complex biological systems. The core idea is that biomolecules can exist in multiple conformational states, and their function is often linked to these various states and the transitions between them. ### Key Concepts in Multi-state Modeling: 1. **Conformational States**: Biomolecules often adopt multiple conformations due to their inherent flexibility.
Nascent state (chemistry) 1970-01-01
In chemistry, the term "nascent state" refers to a newly formed species that is in a highly reactive form. This term is often used in the context of nascent hydrogen, which pertains to hydrogen atoms that have just been liberated from a compound and are in a state that makes them very reactive, as opposed to being part of a stable molecule like molecular hydrogen (H₂). The concept of nascent species is important in various chemical reactions and processes.
Network covalent bonding 1970-01-01
Network covalent bonding is a type of chemical bonding that occurs when atoms are connected to each other through covalent bonds in a continuous, three-dimensional network. This type of bonding results in the formation of large structures where each atom is bonded to several adjacent atoms, creating a rigid and stable arrangement.
Non-bonding electron 1970-01-01
Non-bonding electrons are the electrons in an atom that are not involved in forming bonds with other atoms. They are typically found in the outermost shell, or valence shell, of an atom. Non-bonding electrons can be divided into two categories: 1. **Lone Pairs**: These are pairs of electrons that are localized on a single atom and do not participate in bonding.
Non-bonding orbital 1970-01-01
A non-bonding orbital is an atomic or molecular orbital that does not participate in the bonding between atoms in a molecule. In molecular orbital theory, when atomic orbitals combine, they can form bonding orbitals, antibonding orbitals, and non-bonding orbitals: 1. **Bonding Orbitals**: These orbitals are lower in energy than the contributing atomic orbitals, and they promote stability by allowing electron density to be concentrated between the nuclei of the bonded atoms.
Non-covalent interaction 1970-01-01
Non-covalent interactions are types of chemical interactions that do not involve the sharing of electrons, as seen in covalent bonds. Instead, these interactions are typically weaker and involve various forces that arise from the electrostatic attractions and repulsions between molecules or within different parts of the same molecule. Non-covalent interactions play crucial roles in many biological processes, such as protein folding, enzyme-substrate interactions, and the formation of lipid bilayers.
Non-covalent interactions index 1970-01-01
The Non-Covalent Interactions Index (NCII) is a concept used primarily in the study of molecular interactions, particularly in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology. While the specific term "Non-Covalent Interactions Index" might not be widely recognized in all scientific literature, the concept generally refers to quantifying or evaluating the strength and nature of non-covalent interactions between molecules.
Non-innocent ligand 1970-01-01
A non-innocent ligand is a type of ligand used in coordination chemistry that is capable of participating in redox reactions, thereby altering its oxidation state during the coordination process with a metal center. Unlike innocent ligands, which remain in a stable oxidation state and do not directly participate in electron transfer processes, non-innocent ligands can interact with the central metal ion in ways that influence the electronic properties of the metal complex.
Octet rule 1970-01-01
The octet rule is a chemical principle that states that atoms tend to bond in such a way that they each have eight electrons in their valence shell, similar to the electron configuration of noble gases. This rule is based on the observation that atoms are more stable when they have a full outer shell of electrons.
Pauling's principle of electroneutrality 1970-01-01
Pauling's principle of electroneutrality states that in a stable ionic or molecular system, the total positive charge must balance the total negative charge. This principle is particularly important in the context of crystallography and the structure of minerals, as it helps explain how different ions combine to form stable compounds while maintaining charge balance. Essentially, Pauling's principle emphasizes that in any system, there cannot be an excess of positive or negative charge.
Peptide bond 1970-01-01
A peptide bond is a type of covalent bond that forms between two amino acids during protein synthesis. This bond occurs when the carboxyl group of one amino acid reacts with the amino group of another, releasing a molecule of water (this process is known as a dehydration synthesis or condensation reaction). Once formed, the peptide bond creates a dipeptide, and as more amino acids join in the same fashion, polypeptides and proteins are formed.