Electronic absorption and emission spectroscopy

Abstract

This chapter assesses electronic absorption and emission spectroscopy. The electronic absorption and emission spectra of atoms and molecules involve the rearrangement of electrons and provide a wealth of information on the structure and properties of such compounds, as well as their identification. While a variety of electronic transitions are possible in inorganic compounds, the most important are those involving electrons in the d orbitals of transition metal compounds and complexes. Many of these transitions have energies in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, or just outside it in the ultraviolet (UV) or near infrared (NIR). As most of the electronic transitions are in the UV and visible regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, electronic spectroscopy is also often known as UV-visible spectroscopy, shortened to UV-vis spectroscopy. If the spectral range is extended to include the NIR, then it is known as UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy.