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960 terms · page 23 of 40
Levelling Effect
Acids, Bases & Salts
Dimensionless
The tendency of a solvent to reduce all acids or bases stronger than its own ionised forms to the same effective strength.
Lewis Structure
Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure
Dimensionless
A diagram showing the bonding and lone pairs of a molecule using dots or lines for valence electrons.
Lewis Theory
Acids, Bases & Salts
Dimensionless
The theory defining an acid as an electron pair acceptor and a base as an electron pair donor.
A + :B → A←B
Ligand
Inorganic & Coordination Chemistry
Dimensionless
An ion or molecule that donates one or more electron pairs to a central metal atom.
Ligand Field Theory
Inorganic & Coordination Chemistry
cm⁻¹
The refined bonding model that combines crystal field theory with molecular orbital treatment of metal–ligand covalency.
Like Dissolves Like
Solutions & Colligative Properties
Dimensionless
The empirical rule that substances dissolve best in solvents with similar polarity and bonding character.
Limit of Detection
Analytical Chemistry & Spectroscopy
Various
The smallest concentration of analyte that can be reliably distinguished from the blank.
LOD = 3σ_blank / m
Limit of Quantitation
Analytical Chemistry & Spectroscopy
Various
The lowest concentration at which the analyte can be measured with acceptable precision and accuracy.
LOQ = 10σ_blank / m
Limiting Molar Conductivity
Electrochemistry & Redox
S·cm²/mol
The molar conductivity of an electrolyte extrapolated to infinite dilution, where ionic interactions vanish.
Λ°m
Limiting Reagent
Stoichiometry & Chemical Reactions
mol
The reactant that is completely consumed first and therefore determines the maximum amount of product obtainable.
smallest n / coefficient
Linear Geometry
Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure
degrees
A molecular shape in which the bonded atoms lie on a straight line, giving a bond angle of 180°.
AX₂ or AX₂E₃
Linkage Isomerism
Inorganic & Coordination Chemistry
Dimensionless
Isomerism arising when an ambidentate ligand bonds to the metal through different donor atoms.
Lipid
Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry
Dimensionless
A biomolecule that is largely non-polar and therefore insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.
Liquefaction of Gases
States of Matter & Gas Laws
K
The conversion of a gas into a liquid by cooling below its critical temperature and applying pressure.
Liquid Crystal
States of Matter & Gas Laws
Dimensionless
A state of matter that flows like a liquid but retains some of the molecular ordering of a crystal.
Liquid State
States of Matter & Gas Laws
Dimensionless
The state of matter with a definite volume but no fixed shape, in which particles are close together yet free to move past one another.
Lithium-Ion Battery
Electrochemistry & Redox
V
A rechargeable cell in which lithium ions shuttle between a graphite anode and a metal oxide cathode.
LiCoO₂ + C₆ ⇌ Li₁₋ₓCoO₂ + LiₓC₆
Lock and Key Model
Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry
Dimensionless
The model proposing that the substrate fits a rigid, precisely shaped active site as a key fits a lock.
London Dispersion Forces
Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure
kJ/mol
Attractions between molecules caused by instantaneous fluctuations in electron distribution inducing dipoles in neighbours.
E ∝ α² / r⁶
Lone Pair
Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure
Dimensionless
A pair of valence electrons localised on one atom and not involved in bonding.
Low Spin Complex
Inorganic & Coordination Chemistry
BM
A complex in which electrons pair in the lower d orbitals rather than occupying the upper set.
Δ > P
Magic Numbers
Nuclear & Radiochemistry
Dimensionless
Particular numbers of protons or neutrons that give a nucleus exceptional stability.
2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126
Magnetic Moment of Complexes
Inorganic & Coordination Chemistry
BM
The magnetic behaviour of a complex, determined by the number of unpaired electrons it contains.
μ = √(n(n+2)) BM
Magnetic Quantum Number
Atomic Structure & Periodicity
Dimensionless
The quantum number mₗ that specifies the spatial orientation of an orbital relative to an applied magnetic field.
mₗ = −l … 0 … +l