What makes a compound paramagnetic

More unpaired electrons increase the paramagnetic effects. The electron configuration of a transition metal d-block changes in a coordination compound; this is due to the repulsive forces between electrons in the ligands and electrons in the compound.

Depending on the strength of the ligand, the compound may be paramagnetic or diamagnetic. Ferromagnetism is the basic mechanism by which certain materials such as iron form permanent magnets. In a ferromagnetic element, electrons of atoms are grouped into domains in which each domain has the same charge.

In the presence of a magnetic field, these domains line up so that charges are parallel throughout the entire compound. Whether a compound can be ferromagnetic or not depends on its number of unpaired electrons and on its atomic size. Ferromagnetism, the permanent magnetism associated with nickel, cobalt, and iron, is a common occurrence in everyday life.

Examples of the knowledge and application of ferromagnetism include Aristotle's discussion in BC, the use of the compass in , and the modern-day refrigerator. Einstein demonstrated that electricity and magnetism are inextricably linked in his theory of special relativity. Paramagnetism refers to the magnetic state of an atom with one or more unpaired electrons. The unpaired electrons are attracted by a magnetic field due to the electrons' magnetic dipole moments.

Hund's Rule states that electrons must occupy every orbital singly before any orbital is doubly occupied. This may leave the atom with many unpaired electrons. Because unpaired electrons can spin in either direction, they display magnetic moments in any direction.

This capability allows paramagnetic atoms to be attracted to magnetic fields. The following video shows liquid oxygen attracted into a magnetic field created by a strong magnet:. Diamagnetic substances are characterized by paired electrons, e. The experimental observation is that oxygen is attracted to a magnet. This is best observed with liquid oxygen. Whether a molecule is paramagnetic or not is only explained using molecular orbital theory. An alternative would be to expend energy to pair up these two electrons into one orbital.

As this requires energy it does not occur. High and low spin transition metal complexes show the same effect of pairing vs.

Paramagnetism is a result of unpaired electrons. If we count the valence electrons available to the four species you name, we can take a pretty quick guess as to what might be paramagnetic.

If the species has an odd number of electrons, it must be paramagnetic. If the species has an even number of electrons, it is likely diamagetic. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. How to determine whether a given compound is paramagnetic or diamagnetic? Paramagnetic compounds contain one or more unpaired electrons and are attracted to the poles of a magnet.

Elemental iron and iron III are paramagnetic because of the necessity of unpaired electrons in their orbitals. Iron II is also in this same position most of the time. When iron II is bonded to certain ligands, however, the resulting compound may be diamagnetic because of the creation of a low-spin situation.