Coordination Chemistry

The Chemical Bond

Stereochemistry

Similar principles to VSEPR govern the geometry of coordination compounds. The geometry of the complex tends toward maintaining the maximum distance between substituents. Furthermore, geometric and optical isomerism is possible with coordination complexes. It would not be out of character for the MCAT to place a passage on basic stereochemical considerations of chirality in the context of coordination complexes. Putting fundamentals into unusual contexts is a primary strategy for the MCAT writers to distinguish conceptual understanding from rote learning.