Werner's Theory of Coordination

Werner's Theory of Coordination, developed by Alfred Werner, explains how transition metals form complex compounds. It states that these metals can coordinate with multiple molecules or ions, called ligands, around them, creating well-defined structures. Werner identified two types: primary (ionic bonds, involving oxidation state changes) and secondary (coordinate covalent bonds, where ligands donate electron pairs). This theory helped understand the geometry and bonding in metal complexes, showing that metals can have different arrangements based on the number and type of ligands attached. In essence, Werner's theory describes the spatial and electronic relationships between metals and their surrounding ligands in coordination compounds.