How Do Ligand Frameworks Affect Catalytic Activity?
The ligand framework can significantly impact the catalytic activity by:
- Electronic Effects: Ligands can donate or withdraw electron density from the metal center, affecting its oxidation state and reactivity. For instance, electron-rich [phosphine ligands]() can increase the nucleophilicity of the metal center. - Steric Effects: Bulky ligands can create a crowded environment around the metal center, influencing the approach and orientation of reactants. This can lead to increased selectivity for certain reactions. - Geometric Constraints: The spatial arrangement of the ligand framework can enforce particular geometries at the metal center, which can be crucial for specific catalytic transformations.
