Chinese lantern structure


In chemistry, the Chinese lantern structure is a coordination complex where two metal atoms are bridged by four bidentate ligands. This structure type is also known as a paddlewheel complex. Examples include chromium acetate, molybdenum acetate, and rhodium acetate, copper acetate dihydrate. The name is derived from the resemblance between the structure and a Chinese paper lantern. Often additional ligands are bound to the metal centers along the M---M vector. The degree of metal-metal bonding varies according to the d-electron configuration.

Complexes with Chinese lantern structure

  • Copper benzoate
  • Copper acetate
  • Chromium acetate
  • Molybdenum acetate
  • Diruthenium tetraacetate chloride
  • Rhodium acetate