SELECTION RULES FOR ISOMERIZATION AND SUBSTITUTION REACTIONS OF TRANSITION METAL COMPLEXES

The isomerization and bimolecular substitution reactions of four-coordinated transition metal complexes are considered from a point of view very similar to that previously adopted by Woodward and Hoffmann to treat a number of organic reactions. A combination of symmetry considerations and crystal field theory allows the classification of the reactions as either thermally allowed or forbidden. A method is suggested for classifying reactions for which there is insufficient symmetry to allow the above sharp distinction to be drawn. © 1968, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.