What are labile and inert complexes

Catalysts speed up the reactions through the formation of an alternative activated complex of lower activation energy.If the cfse of a compound is larger than cfse of activated complex then it reacts slowly and is termed inert.Discussion on labile and inert coordination complexes.This is very important video for understanding outer and inner sphere electron transfer mechanism.follow me on unacademy:Complexes where the ligands are released and rebound rapidly are classified as labile.

This is mainly because inert complexes are thermodynamically stable complexes with a large activation energy barrier.Inert is a relative term, t 1/2 > 1 min at 25 oc 3 main factors that affect the whether a complex is labile or inert:Primary being ionisable whereas secondary are.If the difference is small, it is rapid and is called labile.Limitation of valence bond theory:

In general, complexes in which ligands are rapidly replaced by other ligands are labile and those in which replacement is slow are called inert.Equilibria and reaction mechanism of transition metal complexes) module no.That idea forms the basis of taube's rules about lability.The key difference between inert and labile complexes is that inert complexes undergo slow substitution, whereas labile complexes undergo rapid substitution.The change in cfse of the compound and activated complex affects the rate of reaction.