How Can Ligand Substitution Affect Catalytic Activity?
Ligand substitution can significantly alter the electronic environment around the metal center, thereby affecting the catalyst's activity. By changing the ligands, one can modulate the d-orbital splitting and, consequently, the LFSE. For instance, strong field ligands like phosphines can enhance the splitting of d-orbitals more than weak field ligands like halides, potentially increasing the catalyst's efficiency in certain reactions.
