Tetrahedral Complexes

Tetrahedral complexes are arrangements where a central atom, typically a metal, is surrounded by four ligands (atoms or molecules) positioned at the corners of a tetrahedron, a pyramid with four faces. This geometry results from the spatial distribution of these ligands to minimize repulsion, ensuring the most stable structure. An example is a methane molecule (CH₄), where the carbon atom is in the center with four hydrogen atoms at the corners of a tetrahedral shape. This configuration influences the complex’s properties, such as reactivity and color, and is common in coordination chemistry.