Synergic bonding in metal carbonyls involves -donation from CO to the metal and -back donation from the metal to CO. How does this back donation uniquely affect the carbon-oxygen bond?

Question

Synergic bonding in metal carbonyls involves $\sigma$-donation from CO to the metal and $\pi$-back donation from the metal to CO. How does this back donation uniquely affect the carbon-oxygen bond?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: C. Metal-to-ligand -back donation places electron density into the antibonding orbital of CO. This inherently weakens the C-O bond, decreasing bond order and increasing bond length [12, 59].

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