Coordination Number, Electronic Configuration, and Ionic Charge as Discrete Variables in Coordination Chemistry

A formal system for organizing coordination chemistry is developed centering around the recognition of coordination number, electronic configuration, and ionic charge as discrete, independent, and non-transmutative variables. Using these and other discrete variables, matrices may be developed which permit the orderly listing of coordination compounds of a given metal or type. Furthermore, changes in the values of these discrete variables during chemical reactions of coordination compounds may be used to classify such reactions into seven types: a) Isoelectric exchange, b) Positive-moving exchange, c) Negative-moving exchange, d) Reduction, e) Oxidation, f) Oxidative addition, and g) Reductive elimination.